Park Rapids Amateur Hockey Association (PRAHA) is an organization run by its membership. PRAHA manages the Ted O'Johnson Ice Arena and coordinates all youth hockey activities in the Park Rapids area.

Volunteers are essential to maintaining and growing the Park Rapids Amateur Hockey Association. This is entirely dependent on the participation of you, the members of PRAHA. Each family is required to fulfill mandatory DIBS or pay a volunteer fee. We track our volunteer hours through Dibs-Tab on Home Page to monitor and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Dibs are on a point system, much like hours, they are calculated per session. See each positions Dibs points to reach your volunteer requirements.    

The table below outlines the volunteer requirements per family.  Please use the level at which your oldest child is playing:

Mites through Varsity are required to work 7 DIBS for the 2023-2024 Hockey season.  If you have more than one child in hockey your total DIBS are 11 for the 2023-2024 hockey season.  Little Panthers are not required to fulfill DIBS.

DIBS can be claimed working concessions for our youth Mites through Bantams games.  1 DIB per game.  Varsity game DIBS can be claimed 2 per concessions,  1 for Gate and 1 for Chuck a Puck.  Values are also reflected in the DIBS session when you sign up.

All parents (exempt and non-exempt) will be expected to help with ALL home games for non DIBS positions during your child's games.  These include clock, stats, penalty box, music, locker room monitors.   

There are several R&R events such as Spooky Skate, Santa Skate, Hockey Day in Minnesota, Old Timers Tournament throughout the season to earn DIBS for as well, these events will be posted in the sessions and communicated out through Team Reach.  

A required $500.00 check deposit for mandatory DIBS will be collected prior to your child being allowed on the ice. These checks are designed to offset any costs that may arise if volunteer roles are unfilled and PRAHA must pay arena staff or other workers to complete the tasks. Exceptions to this would be those who hold a position that is exempt from mandatory work hours.  If you choose to have PRAHA cash your check for the DIBS, you are still required to work your child's home game for non DIBS positions.  

All DIBS are required to be signed up for by December 31st, 2023 for the season.  DIBS not claimed by that date will result in your $500 check being cashed.  

Deposit checks will be held by PRAHA (un-cashed) until mandatory DIBS have been completed. Our goal is to not cash any checks as we would like everyone to meet their mandatory requirements. For those who complete their DIBS, checks will be returned at the annual meeting. Checks not collected at the Annual Meeting will be shredded unless arrangements have been made prior to the Annual Meeting with the Treasurer.

Mandatory work hours shall cycle from April 1 to March 31st each year.   

The following positions are NOT required to work Dibs; however you will still be required to work home games and tournaments. 

Listed below are examples of the many opportunities you have to help fulfill your mandatory DIB requirements:

Youth Coach – Head or Assistant – must be CEP certified and listed on the roster to be considered a volunteer coach.

Team Manager – liaison for the team.

Association Registrar - manage all registration for players, coaches, volunteers, etc. 

Fundraising Committee – attend meetings and help with various fundraising activities.

Recruitment and Retention Committee – attend meetings and help with various recruiting activities.  

Tournament Committee – attend meetings and help with various tournament activities.  

JV/Varsity Gate – work the admissions gate at JV/Varsity games. 

Concessions – operate the concession stand during games and practices.  

Other Committee Work – assisting with and sit on various committees formed throughout the hockey season. 

PRAHA Board Member – run for and sit on the PRAHA Board of Directors.

There are other opportunities to volunteer that are too numerous to mention. Please look for the opportunities as they present themselves.

The process for fulfilling volunteer hours is as follows:

Volunteer opportunities will be discussed during parent meetings at the beginning of each hockey season. During this meeting, expectations will be covered, as well as some of the opportunities available.  Discuss with Team Managers or PRAHA Board Members what volunteer opportunities are available.  It is your responsibility to seek out opportunities that fit into your schedule.

   Communication will be the key to making this successful.

Accountability – Once you sign up for a slot, you are responsible to work that time slot.  People are counting on you.  If you are unable to fulfill your commitment, you must make arrangement with someone to fill your shift.  You must inform your team manager or the coordinator of the event about changes.  Please avoid making changes last minute to alleviate as much confusion as possible.

DIBS VOLUNTEER CHECK-  Hours not completed by March 31st will result in cashing your volunteer fee check.