In general, all communication with all skating parties should be professional, respectful and courteous. This includes all coaches, parents, skaters, board members, skating officials, etc.
I have found I work at my best with families who are able to have a healthy communication style with me.
We will probably work together A LOT over the years, so we need to maintain the health of our relationship so it stays respectful and productive over time.
We all get frustrated, tired, and overwhelmed sometimes. We should all be mindful how we speak to each other in those moments.
By working with me, you are also agreeing to being honest with your goals at any stage of the game. I cannot coach you effectively if I don’t know what your goal is or what you are aiming. Having “secret” goals usually just lead to a weird relationship between the family and I.

Texting

I try to respond to text as much as possible between 9-5 pm Monday-Friday. This can vary based upon the schedule and if we are at a competition. If you text outside of these hours, I will try to get back to you the next time I have a chance after 9 am, or I will get back to you the next day.
Texts are for quick things that are urgent~ i.e. the skater is too sick to skate and their lesson time starts in thirty minutes, the practice ice schedule is open, etc.

Phone Calls

Emails

Emails are okay if it’s something that isn’t super urgent and can wait a day or two.
Please do NOT send me big long emails. It’s just too time consuming. Please schedule a 15 min appointment/check in if it’s a discussion matter.
If I do not respond to you right away, it’s usually because people are emailing me something that requires a solution, and I have a tendency to not respond until I can think of the best solution possible.

WhatsApp

If we have a lot of skaters at a competition, we will be using WhatsApp for group communication. Please have the app downloaded.

Google Meet Appointments

At the top of the Tier 1 and 2 mainpage, there are buttons to schedule any appointments/check-ins and the Google meet link. Please schedule these as you need them or if I suggest them. When people need these completely varies on the skater and what is going on with them.
I will just maintain monthly time slots for families to schedule these check-ins as they need and as I have time.
There is no fee for a check-in.

Google Forms

Sometimes I use google forms for scheduling. It is simply to be efficient in getting answers from families and to avoid miscommunications.

Monthly Newsletters

To keep families and coaches updated, the goal in 2024 is to start monthly newsletters that keeps everyone updated with what is going on with skaters I am primary coach of.

Season Planning Meetings

Each year, you should plan out your season. There is no cost to Tier 2 or 1 skaters for a meeting, however, they should be short 15 min Google meet meetings. At this time, nobody’s goals are that complicated that we need to spend a lot of time discussing. If someone’s goals ever do require a lot of planning, I will let them know.

Communicating with Other Coaches

If you have to text with another coach you are working with, always include me on the text. This helps me know what is going on with the skater, and it makes sure all coaches are on the same page. Coaches know to do this or to have communication go through me.

Communicating with Skaters

Due to Safesport, I cannot be on a text or email by myself with a skater under the age of 18 years old. I will include the parent or another coach on the communication if for some reason I need to communicate with a skater. I usually send anything to parents or use Google Drive or Tenzinga to communicate anything that the skater needs to know.

Excessive Communications

If a family needs to communicate with me too much, I will let them know, and there will be a fee charged per email or text that I respond to. I find these situations happen when people do not read emails I send out, do not read the competition sign up thoroughly, etc. Please read the skating materials you are given. My website should help everyone stay on top of things.

My Communications

I try not to be a hypocrite and to send out big long emails, but sometimes I have to.
Please make sure to respond if I need an answer from you, especially if it is schedule orientated.
If you choose not to respond, it may just mean that your skater misses out on something.

These policies help me to be the best coach possible and for us to have a good working relationship so I appreciate everyone’s cooperation with this!