Chippewa Valley Raptors Inc., League Handbook
As a large 501(c)3 non-profit organization governed by bylaws and run by a bord of directors it is crucial that the Chippewa Valley Raptors document and follow the rules set forth in our bylaws. Please see below for a snapshot of our current handbook. The below section of our handbook great for potential players to gather knowledge of the Chippewa Valley Raptors, our structure and upcoming season at a glance.
Purpose, Mission and League Management
Purpose: The corporation is organized exclusively for non-profit purposes subsequent to section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The purpose of the corporation is:
Mission/Philosophy: The mission of the Raptors Softball Program is to mold our teams into not only great athletes, but also great young women. Our dedicated coaches and volunteers will facilitate our athletes’ growth through stepwise development of high-level softball skills, instilling core life values of character, integrity, confidence, hard-work, self-esteem and sportsmanship. Our teams will promote our values both on and off the field. It is also our goal to help create memories that will last these young women throughout their life.
League Management: The Chippewa Valley Raptors Organization consists of an Executive Board of Directors to covers the affairs of the league, and a General Board of Directors to assist in operation of the league. Together these Boards will be responsible for all activities and decisions made within the league. Please see below for more information on our Boards.
Executive Board of Directors - The purpose of the Chippewa Valley Raptors Executive Board of Directors is to govern the affairs of the corporation. The Executive Board has final decision-making power for ALL Chippewa Valley Raptors Inc. affairs and decisions to ensure the organization continues to advance towards future plans and objectives. Executive Board members are volunteers and favoritism for their participation on the Executive Board.
The Executive Board of Directors is composed of the directors listed below:
General Board of Directors - The purpose of the Chippewa Valley Raptors Inc. General Board of Directors is to help the Executive Board of Directors operate the corporation, to enforce all policies and procedures as established in the bylaws and assist in managing the operational affairs of the corporation. General Board members are volunteers and shall receive no compensation or favoritism for their participation on the General Board.
The General Board of Directors is composed of the directors listed below:
For more information about our Executive and General Board of Directors you can review our bylaws located at www.chippewavalleyraptors.com/ourbylaws.
Website and Communication
League Website: The Raptors have created a website that encompasses all the information you need as a parent, player, or coach. Our website is located at www.chippewavalleyraptors.com and includes all documents you may need including liability forms, sponsorship forms, tournament schedules and team information. On the website you will also find links to our Fan Gear page, Electronic Registration and any special announcements pertinent to the league. Due to its central location www.chippewavalleyraptors.com is our main means of league wide communication. Please check it regularly for updates.
Team Communication: All individual team communication will be done via SportsEngine. SportsEngine is a very helpful tool for posting reminders and practice/game schedules on a team-to-team basis and allows all Raptors teams to utilize one platform for communication. Once parents and players are connected, they will receive updates via email and/or text message. SportsEngine has an app for both android and Apple iOS that is very user friendly. If you need help or would like more information about SportsEngine please reach out to your head coach and/or the Raptors Communications Coordinator.
Facebook: To show our team spirit and gain a broader fan base the Raptors have built a Facebook site. On this site you will find fun pictures of Raptors tournaments and Events. We also utilize Facebook messenger as a secondary communication tool. Our Facebook site is managed by the Board of Directors and all content (pictures/advertising) must go through a Board Member prior to being uploaded. Since our Facebook site is live and interactive, we ask that you refrain from making ANY negative comments. If you are experiencing issues, please work them out with your coach or reach out to our Public Relations Coordinator for prompt resolution.
Participation
Teams: In the upcoming season the Chippewa Valley Raptors will attempt to field a team at each age group (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U). The number of teams fielded could change each year based on need and registration numbers. Every effort is made to place all registered and committed player on a fielded team. Teams will be made up of at least 10 players but will be no more than 13 unless approved by the Executive and General Board of Directors. Players will be offered a spot per division (8U, 10U, 12U, etc). Exact team placement may be determined after a few practices are held. Player team placement is determined by multiple factors to find a perfect fit, where players can get as much play time as possible in their preferred position at the competition level suited for the individual. If there are any concerns about player placement, please send them to info@chippewavalleyraptors.com or speak with a Raptors Representative on try-out day.
Age Qualifications: Teams will be established in 5 age classifications: 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, and 16U/18U. A player of a younger age classification may play in an older team classification, but the player of an older classification may not play in a younger classification, as per League, State and National rules. All player movements must have written justification presented to the Executive and General Board and are based on various factors including but not limited to skill level, maturity, commitment, etc.
League Fees and Equipment
League Fees: Our Fee for the upcoming Season will be determined and communicated at the time acceptance letters are send. Fees include 2-3 fall/winter tournaments/events 5-6 summer tournaments, a player uniform and USA Softball membership. League Fees are used 100% to cover team operations and are covered in more detail below.
A non-refundable deposit of $175, which is part of your full registration fee, will be due upon acceptance to a team. Please note…without a deposit payment the Raptors will not purchase a uniform for your daughter or include her in any fall and/or winter activities/tournaments and may result in a loss of roster spot.
Due to a lack of volunteers for our fundraising events and Summer Raptors Rumble Tournament, the Raptors MAY be requiring a $250 check that would be held until a specified number of volunteer hours have been completed. This decision along with an exact number of hours will be determined by our parent meeting in September.
All payments MUST be set up and made electronically via the Chippewa Valley Raptors website or Venmo. NO CASH OR CHECK payments will be allowed unless previously discussed and agreed upon by the Treasurer.
**If none of the payment options will work financially, please contact the Treasurer to make other arrangements.
Travel Softball is very expensive. In order to keep our Registration Fees low the Raptors have made the following decisions on what will be included with your registration. Each paid player will receive at least....
Possible Expenses, Winter Training and Commitments
Possible Expenses: Any equipment that is deemed as necessary by USA Softball General Rules and Regulations and/or the Chippewa Valley Raptors must be purchased at the players expense. This includes but is not limited to Face Mask, Bat, Glove, Practice Clothing, and Cleats.
Being a travel softball organization, roughly half of our tournaments will not be in the Chippewa Valley. In these cases, our travel coordinator will reserve blocks of hotel rooms for our league. Although the Raptors will reserve the room block, it is the responsibility of each family to pay for their own lodging along with meals during travel including players meals.
Winter Training Program:
The success of our fundraising activities allows the Raptors to offer Winter Training at a reduced cost for Raptors Families. The winter training program costs are recalculated each year and are charged at a largely reduced rate to Raptors players.
Hitting/Defense/Pitching/Catching
The Raptors have partnered with Turn 2 Athletics to provide our players an in-depth skills training program to strengthen their game. Turn 2 training typically consists of the following but may change based on registered players.
Speed & Agility
The Raptors work with Darrin Kelly, a certified athletic trainer out of Marshfield Clinic for our Speed & Agility program. Throughout the winter months Raptors players will be tested both physically and mentally as they become more agile and increase speed through this 16-week program.
*With the Raptors financial contribution to the winter training program, these sessions are provided to Raptors players at roughly a 90% discount from regular priced individual sessions over a six-month period. Please take advantage of the savings and extra training.
Possible Commitments: Throughout the year the Raptors will plan a variety of different clinics and team building activities. We highly encourage every player attends these activities.
Mandatory Commitments: There are a few meetings throughout the season that are mandatory for parents/guardians and or players to attend. These meetings are held for informational and organization purposes. Exact Dates will be released well in advance of the meeting, but the below schedule can be used as an estimate…
Expectations and Grievances
Players Commitment & Code of Conduct: Travel Softball requires a lot of dedication and commitment. This letter is to ask for your commitment to the Chippewa Valley Raptors. Below is a summary of the Raptors Player expectations set forth so every young lady within the Raptors organization can become the best player and team member possible. Please read the Player Commitment & Code of Conduct below.
Player Commitment & Code of Conduct
There is joy in winning, but pride develops in doing your best whether winning or losing. This pride is known as team spirit, and that will be remembered and cherished more than the team's record. In order to be the best Teammate and overall person I can, I promise the following....
Parent/Guardian Commitment & Code of Conduct: Parents play a huge role in the development of a successful softball player. Your role is every bit as important as that of the coaches, and every bit as difficult. Below is a summary of the Raptors Parent expectations set forth so your player can become the best athlete and team member possible. Please read the statements and Parent/Guardian Commitment & Code of Conduct below.
1. During all games, parents are asked to respect the bench area as the coaches’ and players’ domain. Unless there is an emergency, parents should never enter the bench area without permission from one of the team coaches.
2. During all games, players are asked NOT to leave the bench area to visit with friends or family. In the event of a special circumstance or emergency, make the coach aware of the situation first. Your child's participation in the Chippewa Valley Raptors Inc. travel ball program will require a significant contribution of your time and effort. Parents can contribute many things to support their child, team, and the program.
Parent/Guardian Commitment & Code of Conduct
As a Parent/Guardian, I pledge support for my Player in meeting the Player Commitment. In order to help my player, succeed and help the Chippewa Valley Raptors continue to build a positive program, I promise the following...
Coaches Expectations and Rights:
Coaches' Responsibilities include:
Coaches' Rights include:
Grievances: Prior to any action being taken on a grievance Chippewa Valley Raptors Inc. requires the 24-hour rule starting from the moment the altercation took place. Travel Softball is a competitive sport and the organization understands that there are at time, calls that you don’t agree with. We require the 24-hour cool down period to give everybody involved time to cool down prior to documenting the grievance. After the 24-hour period the person lodging a complaint is required to first address it with the head coach of the team. If a coach or parent is unable to resolve the situation, the coach or parent must notify the Raptors PR Coordinator.
Practices and Tournaments
Team Practices: Team Practices are crucial for the continued advancement of your player and are held during the current Season and a select number of months prior to the season as determined by the Executive and General Board. Each team will have at least one practice per week. All practice Dates, Times, and Locations are determined the respective teams coaching staff and are mandatory for all players unless otherwise excused. Team Practices will be posted in SportsEngine along, so please download the app. In order to get the most out of our practice time, all players need to show up on time and ready to hit the field. Any time spent getting dressed and/or finding equipment takes away from field time. All practices are expected to start and end on time. Please work with your coaching staff for practice information.
Open Gym: Open Gym will take place outside of the season and, although highly encouraged, are not mandatory. Open Gym times and locations will be determined by the General Board of Directors and will be set for the entire league. Open Gyms will be led by Raptors coaches and parent helpers but may not be as structured as a team practice.
Tournaments: Outside of any unforeseen circumstances that Raptors will attempt to schedule at least 4 tournaments for each 8U and 16U/18U team season, possibly more if able. Each 10U, 12U, and 14U team will be scheduled for at least 6 tournaments per season. If a national berth is made, the national tournament will be in addition to the scheduled tournaments and may require extra funding by players for participation and gear. This will be discussed in detail on a team by team basis if they make a national tournament.
On game day all players are asked to be at the tournament location and ready for play at least 1 hour prior to game time unless otherwise directed by your coaching staff. Tournaments can be very long with multiple games played in a day. Please plan accordingly for meals, water, snacks, etc. If you need any information on travel or tournament planning, please contact our Tournament and/or Travel Coordinator.
Sponsorships
Sponsorship: On the onset of each new season the Chippewa Valley Raptors, a 501(c)(3) non-profit seek sponsorships for the upcoming year. These Sponsorships help cover registration, tournament fees, uniforms, equipment, training facilities, team building activities and travel costs that allow Raptors players to compete at the highest level of fastpitch softball with great gear and facilities. There are many costs associated with Travel Softball and our league fees only cover a small percentage if it. In order to cover the rest, we work very hard at getting corporate sponsors. Our sponsorship flyer can be found on www.chippewavalleyraptors.com and contains many different options for sponsorship. Any player, parent, coach, family member etc. can find sponsors and we are very thankful for any level of sponsorship they can provide. Without sponsorship we would have to raise our league fees yearly to cover our every growing expense. We highly encourage all players to ask and present a sponsorship form to local businesses. This not only benefits our league but is a great learning experience and life lesson for every player. All sponsors will receive recognition in some way based on their sponsorship amount. Please see our sponsorship form on the website or contact our Sponsorship Coordinator for more detailed information.
Fundraisers
Calendar Raffle: The Raptors organization will be going into their fourth year of holding a calendar raffle. This is our main fundraiser and allows us to provide players with new equipment and discounted items like Winter Training. Our calendar raffle takes place in August with calendar sales starting mid-May. All players are asked to sell at least 20 calendars but encouraged to sell as many as possible. Players earn prizes and gift cards based on the number of calendars they sell. The Raptors pay out nearly $9000 in raffle winnings and over $8000 in prizes to players selling calendars every year.
Meat Raffle: The Raptors organization will be going into their fifth year of holding a meat raffle. Our meat raffle is held in the Loopy Dome at Loopy's Bar and Grill in Chippewa Falls. Our meat raffle typically takes place in February/March and is a great time for both parents and players. Multiple Prizes are raffled off in addition to meat, candy, and beverages. More information will be shared in the September parent meeting on our upcoming meat raffle.
Bingo: Every year the Raptors organization has an opportunity to raise money for our organization and help Hallie Girls Softball by working 2-3 Bingo nights at the KC Hall in Chippewa Falls. This is a great time for some team building for the players and education on volunteering by participating in selling Bingo Cards, Concessions, and handing out prizes. Bingos are typically held in June and July. More information will be out in 2024 on our upcoming bingo events.
Contact List
Use the contact information below for any questions you may have.
Raptors Website: www.chippewavalleyraptors.com
League Email: info@chippewavalleyraptors.com
Mailing Address: Chippewa Valley Raptors, S8181 South Road, Mondovi, WI 54755
Executive Board of Directors |
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Tara Shilha |
President |
715-225-3491 |
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Stephanie Hoyle |
Vice-President |
715-579-3615 |
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Conni Jevne |
Secretary |
715-828-2470 |
conni_j@yahoo.com |
Scott Shilha |
Treasurer |
715-225-0550 |
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Russ Stacy |
Adviser |
715-559-6790 |
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Ryan Zwiefelhofer |
Adviser |
715-579-8781 |
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Doug Forrest | Adviser | 715-379-1427 | douglasforrest1@gmail.com |