Moorestown Rowing Club Team Members,
Below is our updated Code of Conduct Policy. Please read the policy in its entirety. Both the Parent and Athlete must sign that they have read the policy and return it to their coach within 7 days of receiving the policy. The athlete will not be able to participate in any activities until this document is returned after the 7-day window.
2022-2023 Code of Conduct Policy
Acknowledgement Form
Code of Conduct Policy – Regulations and guidelines for conduct of MRC rowers/coxswains and parents/guardians/family members.
MRC Team Culture – The culture of Moorestown Rowing Club is built around the team motto of Love, Trust, Hard Work. When the team acts and works with Love, Trust and Hard Work, the individual rower and team excel together. When these core values are not prioritized, the team suffers, and the individual rower does not advance.
Expectations for Rowers
Attendance expectations
Rowing is a sport that relies on every participant to make a boat competitive. As such, attendance at practice is crucially important.
- It is expected that athletes will attend every practice, M-Sa, as set by the coaches.
- Rowers must give coaches 24 hours written (email or text) notice if they are going to miss a practice. Coaches ask that scheduled appointments be made for Mondays.
- It is understood that illness can and will happen. Please advise the coach as soon as possible of any illness in written form.
- It is expected that all athletes be present during the practice sessions of Spring Break. Like other Spring sports, this is a crucial time for our athletes to get more practice time. Our most important races tend to follow Spring Break.
- Absences will have consequences for the team and for the athlete. Each athlete’s circumstances will be evaluated by the coaches and board. Athletes and parents will be advised of the impact that absences are having on the team and advised of disciplinary actions, if needed. Actions can range from sitting out a minor regatta through dismissal from the team.
- If you think the attendance policy will pose a challenge to you and your athlete, please speak to the Commodore and the Coach.
In addition to being present physically, it is vital that each athlete also be present with the correct mind-set. Being present with the MRC culture is required for all practices.
- Practices are for learning and developing skills for rowing.
- Respect for each team member, coach, volunteer parent, other teams within the Boathouse/practice facility, staff of the Boathouse and any guests is crucial. The Boathouse is a venue to the public and hosts events with hundreds of people watching our practices. You are representing MRC, and as such, must present yourself well.
- No cursing, yelling, or using any derogatory language.
- No horseplay, unless approved by the Coach, as part of a team bonding activity.
- Respect the building. No littering, place items back where you found them, keep the bathroom clean, do not damage property.
- Athletes and/or their legal guardian will be held responsible for damages/theft of items at practice sites including, but not limited to replacements costs, legal-fees or any associated fees incurred because of damages or theft.
- Athletes are not allowed to leave the practice site without permission during practice time.
Attendance at Regattas/Travel
- Respect for other hotel guests by minimizing excessive noise should be always practiced.
- Horseplay should be avoided to ensure safety of all rowers.
- Athletes and/or their legal guardian will be held responsible for damages/theft of items at regatta and/or in hotel rooms including, but not limited to replacements costs, legal-fees or any associated fees incurred because of damages or theft.
- Athletes are not allowed to leave the hotel or regatta site without permission
Equipment Policy
- MRC will ensure the supply of the best equipment possible. This equipment for rowing is expensive and, in some cases, irreplaceable.
- When in doubt, ask a coach how to properly care for a piece of equipment.
- Purposeful damage to equipment will result in disciplinary action.
Expectations for Parents/Guardians
- Questions/concerns regarding the operation of the MRC should be directed to the Club Commodore.
- Parents are asked to understand and support the position that rowers are expected to communicate directly with the coaches about any concerns and questions they have. Honest and open communication is vital to a rower’s development. It also allows the coaches to quickly address problems that may arise. Parents are asked to reinforce this behavior.
- Parents are expected to assist their child in successfully following the Code of Conduct.
- Conduct governing interpersonal behavior and interactions with Coaches.
- A parent(s)’ willful disregard of these rules or behavior at MRC events/activities that is considered beyond the accepted bounds of decency and civility may result in their child’s being dismissed from the team.
Expectations for All
Social Media
Electronic communication including, but not limited to texting, email, instant messaging, social media, posting, or any other form of electronic communication during the Rower’s participation with MRC requires Rowers and their parents/guardians to adhere to the following standards:
- No one will participate in or establish any form of social communication that could exclude, limit, or otherwise impact that ability of MRC to communicate with complete transparency.
- No use of derogatory or explicit language in any posts, comments or emails is acceptable.
- No one will participate in the exchange or distribution of explicit photos or images of
themselves or MRC teammates at any time in a social or online environment.
- Inappropriate actions involving electronic communications may result in disciplinary actions as stated within the Code of Conduct.
Alcohol and Drug Policy
- Use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, alcohol, or tobacco is strictly prohibited within and/or outside of any practice facility, regatta, or MRC affiliated events. Alcohol or tobacco may be authorized at specified events for adults of legal age, such as a wine tasing event, adult social, etc.
- Use of performance enhancing drugs is strictly prohibited.
- Failure to adhere to the above policy will result in disciplinary action by the board.
Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing
Bullying, harassment, and hazing (collectively referred to in the Code of Conduct aa “bullying”) by rowers and/or parents/guardians, is strictly prohibited. Bullying is defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of an individual, with the intention to cause personal degradation or humiliation, or that damages or may damage, destroy, or remove public or private property for the purpose of initiation in, admission to, or as a condition of continued membership in MRC, a specific boat, or a squad. Individuals involved in any form of bullying will be held accountable for their actions and will be subject to disciplinary actions as set forth in the Code of Conduct.
Bullying activities include but are not limited to the following:
- Any form of defamation or hate speech against someone’s religion, race, ethnicity, and/or gender identity.
- Physical punishment, contact, exercise, or sleep deprivation that causes excessive fatigue and/or physical or psychological shock.
- Forced or coerced consumption of food, drink, alcohol, tobacco, and/or illegal drugs.
- Forced or coerced transportation of individuals.
- Public humiliation, ridicule, or indecent exposure of any kind. Coercing or forcing of illegal acts of any kind.
- Coercing or forcing acts that are immoral or unethical.
- Blocking an individual’s academic, athletic, or personal success.
- Interfering with an individual’s health.
- Personal servitude.
- Mental harassment.
- Sexual harassment.
- Using electronic media (including cell phones, the internet, social media sites, and the athlete group chats) to harass, denigrate, or otherwise comment negatively on an individual, a group of individuals, or a class of individuals.
- Deception.
- An act of, or threat of, social exclusion.
- Conduct that is deliberately detrimental to team morale or cohesiveness.
- Soliciting, encouraging, directing, aiding, or attempting to aid another person in bullying activities.
- Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permitting bullying to occur.
- Having first-hand knowledge of the planning or execution of an incident or event of bullying and failing to report the incident or event to MRC Commodore
Open Communication
MRC believes most issues can be resolved with open and direct communication. Preferably before any items becomes an issue. Please be sure to discuss any issues with your coach and/or Commodore. For any issues related to an athlete’s performance and which boat they may or may not be in, we ask that you please do the following:
- First, and 99% of the time only, avenue of communication should be between the athlete and coach. Preferably just prior to or just after a practice.
- If you feel that this does not satisfy any questions, the parent and/or athlete should contact the Commodore.
Reporting Protocol for Code of Conduct
Any rower, parent, guardian may file a grievance or report any violations of the MRC Code of Conduct through the process stated below. The rights of the individual reporting a violation must be respected. All information shall be kept confidential to the extent reasonably possible to handle the issue in question. If witnesses are to be interviewed, they will be informed of the confidential nature of the issue and instructed not to discuss the matter with others. Such discussion would also be considered a breach of the MRC Code of Conduct
- Contact the Head Coach – The Head Coach may be approached directly or through another member of the staff. The Head Coach may choose to resolve the issue directly, work with another coach to resolve the issue, or raise the issue to the next level of action. Any alleged action involving violation of Alcohol, Drugs, Banned Substances, Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing must be escalated to the MRC Board of Directors.
- Contact the Board of Directors – The board is the highest level of review for any infractions of the MRC Code of Conduct or grievances that cannot be resolved through direct contact with a coach. The board, working with the Head Coach when appropriate, may ask for additional information and interview athletes, parents, or any MRC staff members in trying to resolve the issue.
Disciplinary Actions
Rowers and associated members of MRC who fail to adhere to the Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary actions. Depending on the severity of the violation, disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to:
- A verbal or written warning of the offense
- Temporary suspension from MRC, including but not limited to loss of eligibility to participate in practices and/or regattas without refund for costs incurred.
- Dismissal from the MRC team without refund.
- Reporting to school, local, state, or federal authorities when appropriate.
Athlete / Parent Acknowledgement:
I have carefully read the MRC Code of Conduct and agree to act in a manner consistent with its policies and requirements.
Print MRC Athlete's Name
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Athlete Signature, Date
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Parent/Guardian Signature, Date
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