VOLUNTEER INFORMATION/EXPECTATIONS

Volunteer Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the volunteer expectations and procedures for families registered with the Fort McMurray Minor Baseball Association (FMMBA). Volunteer involvement is vital to the success of the association’s programming and events. This policy ensures transparency, accountability, and adequate support for all baseball operations throughout the season.

Scope

This policy applies to all families with children registered in FMMBA’s recreational (House League) and competitive programs, with the exception of the Challenger and Double-P programs.

Policy Statement

FMMBA is a volunteer-driven organization. The time and effort provided by volunteers allow us to operate safe, organized, and successful baseball programs. Every registered family is required to contribute volunteer hours or pay a volunteer levy in lieu of service. Volunteer commitments support association-wide needs and do not include team-specific duties.

Volunteer Commitment Requirements

• Each registered player requires a minimum of 5 volunteer hours per season.
• A maximum of 15 volunteer hours per family is required (regardless of the number of children registered).
• This requirement applies to both House League and Competitive families, excluding exempted programs.

Exemptions

The following programs are exempt from the volunteer requirement:

• Challenger Program
• Double-P Program

Volunteer Deposit

To ensure participation, a volunteer deposit is collected per registered player:

• $300 per player
• Payment options:
  • Paid online at registration
  • Postdated cheque submitted at house league evaluations, jersey handout or time of registration
  • Credit card information held securely until commitment is verified

Deposits will be returned or destroyed upon verified completion of volunteer hours. If hours are not completed, the deposit will be processed at the end of the season. Outstanding volunteer fees must be paid before registering for any future season (e.g., Winter Ball, Spring Ball).

Volunteer Roles and Credit

The following positions automatically satisfy the volunteer requirement based on their scope and commitment:

Eligible Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities that contribute to fulfilling the 5-hour requirement include but are not limited to:

• Spring Fling Event (setup, stations, info tables)
• House League Evaluation Sign-In
• Uniform Handout
• Opening Ceremonies
• Concession Stand (Ron Morgan / Ross Henniger Park)
• BBQ Station Operations
• Park Clean-Up
• Picture Day Assistance
• Year-End Banquets
• Casino Fundraisers
• Special Events (e.g., 18U Nationals, Canada Cup, 13U Westerns)
  • Ticket scanning
  • 50/50 Sales
  • Scorekeeping
  • Pitch counting
  • GameChanger operation
• Miscellaneous tasks requested by the league

Volunteer Sign-Up and Tracking

• Sign-Up Platform: All volunteer shifts are posted on Signup Genius. Families will receive the link via email and it will also be available on the FMMBA website.
• Shift Duration: Most shifts are approximately 5 hours.
• Tracking:
  • Volunteer Sign-In Books are located at Ron Morgan and Ross Henniger Parks.
    • Volunteers must sign in clearly with, Full Name, Child’s Name, Division, and Date and Time of Shift

Failure to sign in will result in hours not being credited.

• To initiate the volunteer, once you have completed your volunteer hours please send an email to volunteer@fmmba with your childs name, team name and volunteer slots.

Substitutions

If a family member cannot attend their scheduled shift, a substitute (friend or relative) may attend on their behalf. Substitutes must:

• Sign the volunteer logbook
• Record the registered player's name and division to ensure proper credit

Cancellations and No-Shows

• Shift Cancellations by Volunteers:
  • Must be made at least one week in advance
  • Allows time for the shift to be filled by another volunteer
• No-Shows:
  • Failure to attend without prior notice will result in a $150 charge to the family’s account
• Shift Cancellations by FMMBA:
  • Cancellations may occur due to inclement weather, poor air quality (AQI = 10), or low temperatures (< 7°C)
  • If a shift is canceled after arrival, volunteer hours will be honored

Volunteer Levy (Opt-Out Option)

Families who are unable or choose not to volunteer may opt to pay the $300 volunteer levy per child at the time of registration. This fee is non-refundable and helps offset operational costs.

Ineligible Volunteer Activities

The following activities do not count toward the association-wide volunteer requirement:

• Team-based duties for Competitive teams (e.g., scorekeeping, GameChanger, snacks, driving)
• Parents or guardians who assist occasionally or informally but are not officially assigned to a team will not be counted toward fulfilling the volunteer requirement.
• Fundraising specific to an individual team
• Travel coordination or player meals
• Volunteer hours for off-season programs (Fall Ball, A-Ball)

Policy Compliance and Enforcement

FMMBA reserves the right to:

• Verify all claimed volunteer hours
• Charge deposits for incomplete or unverified commitments
• Prevent registration for future programs if accounts are not in good standing

Concerns or reports of non-fulfillment of volunteer roles (e.g., coaching responsibilities) should be sent to inquiries@fmmba.ca.

Contact and Support

For questions about volunteer requirements, role eligibility, sign-up access, or concerns:

📧 Email: inquiries@fmmba.ca
🌐 Website: www.fmmba.ca
🔗 Signup Genius: Fort McMurray Minor Baseball: 2026 SPRING BASEBALL VOLUNTEERS

Description of Volunteer Positions:

Coach/Assistant Coach (Season Long position)

• This position requires individuals to foster player development, sportsmanship and team unity;
• Coaches are responsible for being present at their team's games, develop a batting order, assign player positions and assist each child develop their technical skills and understanding of baseball rules;
• Organize and attend practices scheduled by the league;
• There are Coaches Clinics available for any coach that would like to develop their own skills.

Canteen (Minimum 5 hours per child, each slot is 2.5 hrs)

The Canteen is open during game and practice times. Responsibilities include:

• Manning the Canteen window, taking orders, charging customers and making appropriate change. 
• Clean up any equipment used and tidy up the Canteen area at the end of shift. 
• Sign-up sheet will be in the Canteen at Ron Morgan Park, volunteers must sign in at the end of their shift.

Park Clean Up (Minimum 5 hours per child, each slot is 2.5 hrs)

The tasks involved in Park Clean Up include:

• Picking up garbage and items left around the diamonds and common areas of Ron Morgan Park
• Each volunteer will be supplied with garbage bags. Please bring gloves if you require them. 
• Garbage collected will be put into the bin beside the Canteen and lost and found items left at the Canteen.
• General clean up of the facility (floors, bathrooms).
• Sign-up sheet will be in the Canteen at Ron Morgan Park, volunteers must sign in at the end of their shift.

Special Events (Minimum 5 hours per child, each slot is 2.5 hrs)

There are several special events that happen throughout the year (Spring Fling, Mid-Season Tournament, Year End Tournament). Volunteer opportunities for these will be on SignUpGenius.com and will be sent out via email.