2008-2009 GUIDELINE FOR BILLETS

On behalf of the Norway House Jr North Stars, I would like to thank you for becoming a billet parent. Billeting is the lifeline of junior hockey and your commitment to the development of our young men is critical to their success.

The following are the guidelines to make your billeting experience a pleasant one:

1. Like all relationships, the key to your success will be communication. Make sure you talk to your players about your expectations while trying to understand their preferences. Things that are not acceptable in your home may have been in theirs, unless addressed, peeves may fester into real problems (i.e. Shower use, laundry, telephone, meals, dishes, missing items, etc.).
2. Your billet will be living under your roof and therefore, abiding by your rules. The hockey team enforces curfew and rules on alcohol, banned substances, and girlfriends, but you are responsible for making your players abide by house rules. Although they are young men, they still need guidelines.
3. Curfews are for the benefit of our athlete’s performance. Weekday curfew is 11:00 PM, at night and before game curfew is 11:30 PM. Players NEVER have permission to stay out all night. Curfew means that all friends have gone home and the player should be preparing for sleep not staying up all night watching TV or playing video games. Finally, it is impossible to enforce this without your help. We will call randomly to check on players and expect phone lines free at curfew time. If you are having problems in this area please inform us.
4. It is illegal in Manitoba to consume alcohol if you are under 18 years of age. This is our law and our policy. Players of age are not to consume alcohol in billet homes and Playgreen Inn lounge and socials are off limits. Given society’s awareness to responsibility on this subject, your role as a model is extremely important in this area. Once again, if you suspect use or abuse we would like to know.
5. Girlfriends are expected to leave at curfew. Girlfriends are not allowed in player’s bedrooms. Handle this subject as if the boys were your own.
6. Meals should be wholesome and varied. Flexibility on behalf of billets and players is needed in this area. Players should eat a balanced diet. Players do not need to eat steak every other day, but billets should talk to players to find their preferences in food and times to eat. On average, players should eat 4-4.5 hours before a game, but this may vary. If no one is home and the player is not capable of preparation, plans to reheat a meal should be made. Billet parents will provide a lunch for the first day of all road trips.
7. If you are going away, please contact Ed Albert at 359-4729. We will consider temporary arrangements.
8. Players must have calling cards for phone use, unless you have some type of long distance plan. If players misuse the phone by charging their calls, players should pay for the phone charges. If this becomes a problem, contact Ed as soon as possible.
9. Players attending high school or post secondary should be doing some homework. Please monitor this area and ask players about their studies.
10. You are not obligated to lend players your vehicle.
11. The organization, not the players, will always have the right to move and place players, in consultation with the host family.
12. Players will inform the billet parents as far in advance as possible that they will not be present for a meal.
13. Remuneration in the amount of $400.00/month/player will be paid to the billet family. First cheques(s) will be issued on the first week of every month following. For December and March, billets will be paid at a daily rate of $13.33/day for the player in their home.

The above guidelines are designed for the benefit of the player, the billet, and the hockey club. Although presented in black and white, we appreciate that grey areas do arise. We appreciate your valuable contribution to the hockey club. These rules need to be enforced to benefit everyone. Our job is not only to develop strong players, but strong citizens and your efforts in this area are very important. Once again, if you any thoughts or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Ed Albert @ 359-4729.