SEMS TRAVEL POLICY and CODE OF CONDUCT
SEMS Travel Policy
. a) Club travel policies must be signed and agreed to by all athletes, parents,
coaches and other adults traveling with the club. (305.5.D)
. b) Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have
successfully passed a USA Swimming-administered criminal background
check. (305.5.B)
. c) Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping
arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian,
sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete). (305.5.A)
. d) When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, the athlete must
have his/her parents’ (or legal guardians) written permission in advance to
travel alone with the coach? (305.5C)
. e) During team travel, when doing room checks, attending team meetings and/or
other activities, two-deep leadership and open and observable environments
should be maintained.
. f) Athletes should not ride in a coach’s vehicle without another adult present that
is the same gender as the athlete, unless prior parental permission is
obtained.
. g) During overnight team travel, if athletes are paired with other athletes they
shall be of the same gender and should be a similar age. Where athletes are
age 13 & over, chaperones and/or team managers would ideally stay in
nearby rooms. When athletes are age 12 & under, chaperones and/or team
managers may stay with athletes. Where chaperones/team managers are
staying in a room with athletes, they should be the same gender as the
athlete and written consent should be given by athlete’s parents (or legal
guardian).
. h) When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, at the
competition the coach and athlete should attempt to establish a “buddy” club
to associate with during the competition and when away from the venue.
. i) All SEMS athletes, coaches, parents, and other adults travelling with the team
must read and sign the SEMS Travel Policy and Code of Conduct.
. j) In the event of a conflict in which two meets fall on the same date(s), the coach
will attend the highest level of competition.
SEMS Code of Conduct
GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT RULES:
Members of SEMS Swim Club are expected to conduct themselves with honor
and treat all others with respect.
Disrespectful or indiscreet behavior, including but not limited to jokes,
comments, or the use of demeaning terms toward another individual will not be
tolerated.
We are guests of the facilities we use and visit. Abusive or neglectful behavior
is unacceptable.
It is the responsibility of each swimmer to make every effort to avoid guilt by
association with such activities at any time during the year.
Guilt by association includes a failure to communicate problems to the
coaching staff. It is your duty to act when improper behavior is witnessed. Small
issues can become large problems when left unaddressed.
The consumption or purchase of alcohol, smoking or chewing tobacco, or use
of any other illegal drug or USOC banned substance of any kind will not be allowed.
In addition, any team member found or suspected to be in the presence of
others (regardless of team affiliation) partaking in any of the above activities may be
subject to the same punishments.
VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT RULES
At the discretion of the Head Coach and the Disciplinary Committee, any one
or all of the following penalties may be applied:
If the violation occurs at a competition, the swimmer may be scratched from
the meet.
The swimmer may be sent home immediately from practice or meet and any
expense or repair will be the swimmer’s responsibility.
The swimmer may be suspended from participation in future competitions
for a period of time to be deemed appropriate.
The swimmer may be suspended from the team until the swimmer and
parents have had a conference with the Head Coach and appropriate disciplinary
actions have been implemented.
The swimmer’s membership in South East Metro Sharks may be terminated,
and dues refunded on a pro rata basis.
I have read the above code of conduct. I understand and accept responsibility for my
actions and I recognize that participation in SEMS is a privilege that may be revoked
as determined by the Head Coach and the Disciplinary Committee.
Name: __________________________________
Date: ______________________________
Parent/ Guardian: ________________________________
Date: _____________________________