PARENT / GUARDIAN’S CODE OF CONDUCT
AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CONTENTS:
    How to be supportive
    How to get involved
    Tournament/Practice Cancellation
    Guidelines
    Refund Policies
    Grievance Procedure
    Release of Liability

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How to be Supportive

The success of our club or any other clubs is determined and enhanced by parents becoming actively involved, to encourage, and support by:

-  Attending tournaments and cheering for your team.
-  Helping players live up to their commitments to the club.
-  Supporting our coaching staff.
-  Focusing on the efforts and progress of the players.
-  Attending and offering input at parent / Club meetings.
-  Keeping the communication lines open between players and coach.
-  Assisting the Team Parent whenever possible and as requested.
-  Volunteering services / resources and assisting in fund raising.

How to get Involved

Parents can become actively involved by:

-  Assisting with transportation.
-  Chaperoning where needed.
-  Becoming a Team Parent.
-  Participating in Club and Team fund raisers.
-  Assisting in team administrative duties & phone calling.
-  Locating individual resources (at a reduced or no cost)
    - Car or van rentals
    - Airline tickets
    - Transportation
    - Printing / photo-copying
    - Mailing
    - Office supplies
    - Sportswear
    - Medical supplies (for first aid kits)
    - Sports equipment (volleyballs, bags, etc.)
    - Other items

Tournament / Practice Cancellations

Parents need to be aware of practice and tournament information during bad weather conditions. In the past, tournaments have been delayed or canceled. At times, coaches have been in contact with tournament directors on an hourly basis. During poor weather conditions, parents should check with their coach regarding the status of the tournament or practice prior to leaving their residence.

Guidelines

Each coach will evaluate and assess the playing time and/or role for each individual athlete on their team.

Discussion of team roles and playing time are appropriate between players and their coach. Parents or guardians should be supportive and encourage athletes to keep open lines of communication with their coach.

Parents or guardians of the athlete should not approach a coach during tournament play and/or at practice for the purpose of influencing and improving the athlete’s playing time and/or role on a team. Discussions should occur at other times not disruptive to the team practice or tournament.

Parents, guardians, relatives, or friends of the athletes should not influence the parent group or spectators negatively regarding aspects of coaching, refereeing, or status of other team members. Such cases will be reviewed by the Board and possible reprimand forwarded to offending parties. Additionally, be informed that USA Volleyball Rules allow referees to expel spectators displaying offensive behavior from the playing site.

Concerns may be expressed through the mid and post-season evaluation form. In addition, the Club has a grievance procedure (see below).

Parents or guardians shall live up to their commitments to their team, and shall help players live up to theirs. An example will be parents, guardians, or athletes who commit themselves for out-of-state tournaments, must follow through with that commitment.

Refund Policy

Salem VBC has a No-Cut policy that means we will make all attempts to place players on teams with the following exceptions:

1)  we are unable to secure a qualified coach for a particular team;
2)  we exceed the number of practice courts per given season; and/or,
3)  we have reached our limit of players per team and are unable to field a team with the remaining players.  We normally place between 10-12 players per team.  Some teams in the past have been assigned more than 12 and this is done very rarely in order to accommodate all the players.

TRYOUTS:  If we are unable to place a player on a team, parents can expect a refund of their tryout fees less our direct facility & USAV costs.  This amount will be covered during our annual General Meeting.  Players who are placed on teams after tryouts and decide not to participate will not receive any refunds on fees paid.

AGREEMENTS:  Any fees paid after parents have signed the Parent Agreement Form during the All Club Meeting in December are Non-Refundable.

Grievance Procedure

Salem Volleyball Club, Inc. encourages communication throughout its organization and recognizes the rights of its members, coaches, athletes, and athlete’s parents or guardians to present grievances. Most issues, if not all, can be resolved through discussion. Team Parents and Age Group Representatives are resources which should be utilized at the team level. More serious or unresolved issues may be submitted to individuals listed below in writing. Forms can be obtained from the Club Administrator. Upon receipt of the grievance form, the committee will schedule a meeting and investigate the concern in a timely manner and attempt to arrive at a satisfactory resolution.

Release of Liability

Parents or guardians, understand that participation in any sport involves the assumption of certain risks of injury. As a condition of participation, you represent and warrant to the Salem Volleyball Club, Inc. that you are fully informed of those risks, have adequate health insurance coverage to cover any medical expenses which might be incurred, and you hereby fully release the Salem Volleyball Club, Inc., its coaches, and any agents of the Club of any liabilities for claims, damages, or loss which might be incurred as a result of such injury. By signing the Parent Agreement, you have given your consent for emergency medical care of your child, and you agree to be financially responsible therefore.