Code of Conduct

The Ultimate Team Structure

To be successful in achieving our mission, it is essential that families, athletes, coaches, staff and the Board work together as a cohesive team. Working together, we will have a strong influence on our relationships that can be based on civility, honesty, and respect, and by helping young people become educated, mature, and responsible young adults.

We will, individually and collectively, do our part to create and maintain trust, respect, and care throughout the club by accepting responsibility for our own actions and those of others.  We make this commitment to ensure that each of us may grow both in knowledge and in wisdom and that we may leave this organization having enriched it by our presence.

Marin Rowing recognizes that making mistakes, acknowledging them and learning from them are critical parts of the educational experience.  We also recognize that, in many instances, corrective action is the best method of disciplining behavior.

Failure to adhere to the conditions and rules as outlined below will result in disciplinary action. Depending on the severity of the violation, consequences may include a warning, suspension, or expulsion from the squad. Marin Rowing grants the Executive Director broad discretion in choosing and imposing consequences of athlete violations in communication with the Coach and Board of Directors.

Family Responsibility

Our athletes’ safety and well-being are of principal concern, whether at the Boathouse, at races, on their school campus, or off campus in their private moments.  In this spirit, we ask that Marin Rowing families, as members of this community, work cooperatively with the MRA to ensure the wellbeing of the athletes who are in our mutual charge.  Families must comply with laws designed to safeguard young people, such as those governing health codes and consumption of alcohol and other drugs.  The MRA presumes the use of common sense and responsibility by Marin Rowing parents or guardians.  We presume that parties are properly chaperoned; that families confirm where children will be and under what specific conditions; and that athletes are guided to respect and obey the laws of the land and the rules of Marin Rowing. 

Athlete Behavior

Athletes are the spokespersons for our organization when they represent us in the community, on our waterway and in athletic competition. Their actions are viewed by family and friends, opposing rowers, the local community, and the media. Their display of good sportsmanship will show the most positive things about themselves, their team, their coach and our program. Integrity, fairness, and respect are inherent principles of good sportsmanship. With them, the spirit of competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of the results. Swearing and inappropriate gestures are not allowed. Athletes will base their actions on honesty, integrity, and concern for the welfare of others; in doing so they will not lie, cheat or steal and will not condone such action on the part of others. Athletes will respect both the person, the property of others and the equipment of the rowing club. Athletes will behave respectfully toward one another and towards our competitors. No athlete may jump from the 101 bridges into the Corte Madera Creek. Jumping is against the law, as well as extremely dangerous.

Drugs and Alcohol

The use of alcohol and illegal and performance enhancing drugs is strictly prohibited for training, while at the boathouse, while rowing and/or racing, at any MRA event and at anytime while representing MRA.

Social Networking

Marin Rowing athletes who access social networking sites (Facebook, My Space, Twitter, etc.) should act responsibly and show respect for the rights and feelings of others.  Gossip, insults, and libelous, demeaning, or derogatory pictures or comments about others, especially teammates, coaches or Marin Rowing are strictly prohibited.  Threatening or harassing statements or pictures are also prohibited.  Athletes should exercise appropriate discretion when using social networks for personal communications with the knowledge that behavior on social networks may result in disciplinary action.

Reporting Procedure

If any athlete or parent wishes to report or question the actions of another athlete, coach or staff member of the Marin Rowing Association, they can promptly report the facts of the incident(s) and the name of the involved individual(s) to an MRA staff member.  The following is the proper procedure for filing a grievance:

  1. Team Coach – An athlete’s Coach should be contacted first, and given the immediate opportunity to directly address the concerns that have been raised;
  2. Executive Director – The Executive Director (Sandy Armstrong) is the next point of contact if the Team Coach is unable to positively resolve the issue in question, or if it is uncomfortable working with the Team Coach; 
  3. Board Liaison to the Junior Teams –  If there is a significant reason to bypass or continue beyond the first two points of contact,  the Board Liaison to the Junior Program (John McCrea) will hear individual grievances;
  4. Personnel Chair, and/or the Board of Directors – This group will make a final determination of a dispute or grievance only if satisfactory results have not been achieved from the process outlined above.

Confidentiality

All information shall be kept confidential to the extent reasonably possible to handle the issue. Witnesses and those interviewed shall be informed of the confidential nature of the issues, and shall be informed that it will be a violation of this policy to disclose the allegation or the nature of the subject matter to others and shall be subject to disciplinary action as defined in this policy.

Retaliation Is Prohibited

The initiation of an allegation will not subject the individual reporting the incident or witnesses to retaliation nor will it affect such person’s dealings with Marin Rowing. It shall be a violation of this policy to engage in such retaliation.  An allegation of retaliation shall be considered as a separate incident, shall be investigated, and shall be subject to disciplinary action as defined in this policy.