Diversity and Inclusion Task Force

OCUA's Diversity & Inclusion Task Force currently includes:
- Andre Scott (chair)
- Ainsley Shannon
- Lauryn Rhode
- Michael Davis
- Sue Twine
- Yvette MacAbuag
- 1 vacancy (apply by emailing inclusion@ocua.ca)
 
Be sure to have your voice heard! Fill out the 2021 Survey on Diversity and Inclusion (LINK).
 
As a result of the March 10, 2020 Special Resolution meeting, OCUA launched a new task force that will examine the issues of diversity and inclusion within our Ultimate community and advise the Board of Directors on topics relating to diversity and inclusion, including: 
  • Gender equity 
  • LGBTQ2 inclusion
  • Accessibility, recruitment, and retention of equity-seeking groups
 
The terms of reference for the Task Force include: 
  • examining the best approach to implementing gender equity; 
  • reducing barriers to inclusion within OCUA;
  • responsibility for receiving feedback about the implementation of gender equity with the membership; and 
  • recommending the best evaluation techniques for gender equity initiatives (including the roll-out of gender equality leagues). 
  • The Task Force is responsible for specifying its terms of reference related to the goals of diversity and inclusion.  
 
OCUA is committed to ensuring the Task Force is reflective of our league and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they identify as a woman, person with a disability, a member of a visible minority group, or a member of the LGBTQ2 community.
 
The Task Force will comprise one Director and six members. The six members will include no fewer than:
  • Two members identifying as each gender  
  • One member from the under 29 community
  • One member from the grandmasters community 

COVID-19 and OCUA Events Operations

The Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association is carefully monitoring the COVID-19 novel coronavirus situation with regard to our league operations and larger events.

* UPDATE (Friday, April 16): Ontario has closed outdoor recreational facilities. Until further notice, the UPI disc golf course is not available to members.

OCUA (Stage 1): Under Stage 1 of the provincial government's plan, UPI is allowed to re-open. OCUA set up a disc golf course that is available for use by members only (https://www.ocua.ca/Disc-Golf) and restarted its partnership with the Ultimate Park Electric Flyers.

OCUA (Stage 2): Under Stage 2 of the provincial government's plan, UPI, as a private park, is allowed to re-open for team practices up to 10 people. OCUA set up a field rental system along with safety regulations and guidelines that is available for use by members only (https://www.ocua.ca/UPI-Rentals).

OCUA (Stage 3): Under Stage 3 of the provincial government's plan, OCUA is allowed to re-open for league play with a cap of 50 participants per league. OCUA has established additional protocols to increase general member safety (see here). All previous summer registrations will receive an account credit to use towards future league registration, special events, or swag. Account credits do not expire. Those that wish to receive a cash refund for a summer registration will need to email the league (refunds@ocua.ca) before August 31, 2020.

OCUA (Modified Stage 2): The provincial government added new restrictions (link) to major cities in Ontario, including Ottawa. For a minimum of 28 days, team sports are not allowed to run games or scrimmages and are limited to training sessions only. The potential restart date for any OCUA league game is Sunday, November 8th. All fall registrants will receive a prorated refund based on their method of payment (ie cash refunds for credit card purchases).

OCUA (Colour Framework): The provincial government created a new framework (link) for Ontario public health units to follow. Under the orange/yellow/green stage, OCUA is permitted to offer league games under certain restrictions. Under the red stage, OCUA is permitted to offer small training pods of 10.

OCUA (Holiday Lockdown): The provincial goverment mandated all regions in Ontario be in lockdown for a minimum of 14 or 28 days (link). Under the gray stage, OCUA is not permitted to offer any leagues or programs. After the mandated lockdown, Ottawa should return to the colour framework model used previously.

OCUA (Stay at Home Order): The provincial goverment declared a second state of emergency (link). The COVID-19 Response Framework (colour-coded zones) is on pause and there is a province wide shutdown. OCUA is not permitted to offer any leagues or programs until at least February 11.

OCUA (Emergency Brake): The provincial government declared a province-wide shutdown (link) for at least 4 weeks starting April 3rd. OCUA is not permitted to offer any Ultimate leagues or programs during this time.

OCUA/UPI (No Outdoor Rec): The provincial government announced further restrictions and new levels of enforcement for its Stay at Home order (link). OCUA and its members are not permitted to play disc golf at the UPI course.

OCUA is taking its direction from federal, provincial, and local health agencies. Below are helpful links:

Ottawa Public Health has information available at https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx
Ontario government has information available at https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
Federal government has information available at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

OCUA is monitoring the situation and will share information as soon as it becomes available. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@ocua.ca.