FAQs

Jan 2011 - Thank you for visiting CAAWS VIEWS website. This site is no longer being updated but continues to provide valuable information.
For more information, you can also visit the CAAWS’s homepage.

1. Do I have to be a high performance or Olympic athlete to join VIEWS?

No. VIEWS is open to anyone (male or female) interested in promoting women in sport and physical activity and with access to an audience of girls and women. Typical VIEWS members include: teachers, physical educators, coaches, athletes, media, sport administrators, volunteers, officials, etc.

2. Will VIEWS organizers book my speaking engagements?

No. It is expected that VIEWS members are already actively involved in speaking within their own forum, however it is not absolutely necessary to have formal speaking engagements lined up. For example, if you are a teacher or a coach you already have a captive audience every day. If you already belong to a speakers' bureau (i.e. EsteemTeam) then you will already be made aware of opportunities. Although CAAWS will provide referrals for speaking engagements when approached, typically CAAWS will not book engagements due to the logistics that would be involved.

3. How much time commitment is required?

The time commitment is up to you. Whether you are speaking once a year or 50 times per year, you can still contribute to encouraging women and girls to be more involved in sport and physical activity. The idea of VIEWS is to simply incorporate the VIEWS messages into your daily, ongoing activities - promoting the positive benefits of girls and women being involved in sport and physical activity is what it is all about!

4. Will I get paid to speak?

Membership in VIEWS is voluntary. You are not being hired to speak, therefore you will not be paid. In special circumstances, VIEWS members may be asked to speak on behalf of CAAWS and may be compensated for doing so. Think of VIEWS as a club, where everyone shares the same values and beliefs and is committed to sharing them in order to create a more active and healthy community of girls and women in Canada.

If you are interested in earning money through public speaking, you may want to look into joining a formal speakers' bureau or speakers program that may offer financial compensation.

5. How do I ensure that I use the proper language and send the right messages when I address an audience?

As a member of VIEWS you will be provided with a wealth of resources and information related to gender equity and girls and women in sport. CAAWS will ensure that VIEWS members have the tools required to speak knowledgably and confidently on these topics.

6. What exactly do VIEWS members promote?

VIEWS members promote the positive benefits of girls and women being involved in sport and physical activity. Although female participation and success continues to grow, only 39% of females between the ages of 5 and 17 are considered active enough for optimal health benefits. Many girls lack a positive role model or have little encouragement from parents, teachers and coaches.

• VIEWS members try to reinforce that girls and young women have a place in sport - Be proud to "throw like a girl"!
• VIEWS members use words like "athletic" instead of "tomboy" and "player-to-player" defense instead of "man-to-man".
• VIEWS members emphasize fun and fitness, share their positive experiences and provide lessons and positive twists on any negative ones.
• VIEWS members tell everyone about people who have positively influenced their life and celebrate the accomplishments of other females in sport!

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport

N202 - 801 King Edward Avenue,
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Tel. 613-562-5667 | Fax. 613-562-5668
Email: views@caaws.ca