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Member Details

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Contact Details

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Membership Type

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Committee & Volunteer Requirements

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MEMBER STANDARDS & OBLIGATIONS

I. Introduction

The Board of Directors of the Skating Club of Western New York (SCWNY) strives to create an environment that facilitates the optimum development of each child as a skater and as a person. Such environment will support coaches in this effort as well as define lines of accountability for coaches, skaters and families. In order to create this environment, the following behaviors are expected of all within the SCWNY.

Trustworthiness. All members of SCWNY shall:

• Be honest and never deceive, cheat or steal;
• Have the courage to do the right thing;
• Work to build a good reputation;
• Demonstrate loyalty to family, friends, and club members.

Respect. Each member of SCWNY shall:

• Treat others with respect and be considerate of the feelings of others;
• Demonstrate a tolerance toward differences;
• Use good manners and avoid offensive language and taunting;
• Never slander, degrade, threaten, or hurt anyone;
• Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.

Responsibility. All members of SCWNY shall:

• Use self-control and self-discipline;
• Be accountable for all choices and actions;
• Demonstrate reliability;
• Exhibit supportive behavior and a positive attitude.

Fairness. All members of SCWNY shall:

• Adhere to all laws, rules, policies and guidelines;
• Be open-minded and demonstrate the ability to listen to others;
• Not pass blame carelessly;
• Never take advantage of others.

Teamwork. All members of SCWNY shall:

• Demonstrate compassion, kindness and forgiveness;
• Support each other through words and actions;
• Provide assistance to others in need when appropriate.

Sportsmanship. All members of SCWNY shall:

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship during all practices, competitions and club activities.

II. Athletes' Code of Conduct

All Athletes shall recognize that being a member of the Skating Club of Western New York carries with it responsibilities and rewards and they shall not only embrace those responsibilities, but also conduct themselves both on and off the ice in a way that exhibits respect for others and themselves. All Athletes shall resolve themselves to conduct themselves with dignity as an athlete and as a member of the Skating Club of Western New York, recognizing and accepting that they shall:

• Accept accountability for all behavior and its outcomes;
• Honor obligations and promises;
• Exercise self-control;
• Be willing to be fair with others in dealings on and off the ice;
• Take pride in themselves and their accomplishments, but never at the expense of demeaning another person or group;
• Respect the efforts of others;
• Respect authority.

III. Parents & Guardians' Code of Conduct

All parents and guardians shall pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for their child participating in the activities of the Skating Club of Western New York by following this Code of Conduct.

All parents and guardians shall therefore resolve to conduct themselves with dignity as a member of the Skating Club of Western New York, recognizing and accepting that they shall:

• Encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all skaters, coaches and fellow parents at practices and club events;
• Place the emotional and physical well-being of their child and the other athletes ahead of any personal desires they may have for their child;
• Support efforts to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment;
• Support coaches and officials working with their child in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all;
• Do their very best to make the sport of figure skating fun and to remember that it is a sport;
• Encourage their child to treat other skaters, coaches, officials and others with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.

IV. Coaches' Code of Conduct

The primary function of coaching is to educate athletes through participation and competition. Each athlete's welfare shall be considered uppermost at all times. All coaches shall be aware that they have a tremendous influence on the wellbeing of the athletes and thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.

All coaches shall therefore resolve to conduct themselves with dignity as a member of the Skating Club of Western New York, recognizing and accepting that they shall:

• Uphold the honor and dignity of the profession;
• Set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct in all personal contact with athletes, officials, and parents/guardians;
• Take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse;
• Avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products when in contact with athletes;
• Master the rules of the sport and teach them to his or her athletes;
• Respect and support the decision of the officials.

V. Enforcement of the Code of Conduct

The responsibility for enforcement of this Code of Conduct shall reside with the Board of Directors of the Skating Club of Western New York.

Enforcement Action. The Board of Directors of the Skating Club of Western New York shall take whatever measures are necessary to enforce this Code of Conduct, up to and including any of the following actions:

• Removal of an athlete from the Skating Club of Western New York due to his or her failure to comply with this Code of Conduct;
• Removal of an athlete from the Skating Club of Western New York due to the failure of his or her Parent/Guardian to comply with this Code of Conduct; or
• Dismissal of a Coach from the program due to his or her failure to comply with this Code of Conduct.

May Spring Skate Festival

Our largest fundraiser with over 300 skaters! Each member is required to run judges scores and sign up for the minimum number of required hours during the weekend event at a volunteer position: set-up or breakdown, registration, music/announcing, convening, or awards. This year's competition will be Friday 5/15 to Sunday 5/17. More information can be found below about the May Spring Skate Festival.

Winter Fundraiser

Alternates annually between the meat raffle (even years) and the pancake breakfast (odd years) in November. Each requires members to sell tickets to and attend the event, assist with finding sponsors/donations, and to run both a basket raffle & 50/50 raffle.

Additional Fundraisers

Throughout the club season SCWNY will have smaller fundraisers.

• Football squares are sold periodically throughout the Bills season as well as for some playoff games and the Super Bowl.
• If you have a fundraising idea and would like to share it with the board, we welcome your input and leadership.
• The Junior Board fundraises during the season with dress sales and baked good sales at the annual May Spring Skate.

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CLUB POLICIES & COMPLIANCE

Promotion

Promotion is done publicly. It is appropriate for all coaches to promote their background and credentials to the general public through posted materials, flyers, or advertisements available to all. A coach's students' accomplishments are considered the best form of promotion.

Solicitation

Solicitation is conducted privately and is not acceptable. It occurs when a skating professional contacts a student who is not their own with the intent of personal gain. Solicitation includes direct, indirect, or third-party contact — in person, by phone, by letter, or by any other means — directed at a specific individual.

Tampering

Tampering occurs when a coach, parent, or club member attempts to influence another skater's relationship with their coach. Even seemingly minor gestures — such as offering unsolicited advice, hosting private events for other coaches' students, or sending gifts — may be considered tampering.

Reporting

If you witness any form of solicitation or tampering, you are obligated to:

• Notify your coach and the Club President immediately;
• Document what you witnessed, including dates, times, method of contact, and parties involved;
• You may remain anonymous when reporting.

All reports will be investigated by the SCWNY Board of Directors in confidence. Failure to comply with this policy will result in review and possible action by the Board.

I authorize SCWNY to post competition/test results on the Internet, which may include my child's name and/or picture. Photographs and video taken at SCWNY-sanctioned events and club activities may be used in club publications, social media, and the club website for the purposes of promoting the club and celebrating member achievements.

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LEGAL AGREEMENTS & DISCLOSURES

In consideration of participating in Skating Club of Western New York activities, I represent that I understand the nature of figure skating activities ("activity") and that I am qualified, in good health and in proper physical condition to participate in such "activity". I acknowledge that if I believe event conditions are unsafe, I will immediately discontinue participation in the "activity".

I fully understand that this "activity" involves risks of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis and death, which may be caused by my own actions, or inactions, those of others participating in the "activity", the conditions in which the "activity" takes place, or the negligence of the "releasees" named below; and that there may be other risks either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages I incur as a result of my participation in the "activity".

I hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue the Skating Club of Western New York, United States Figure Skating, its directors, officers, administrators, sponsors, volunteers, agents, employees, staff, instructors, trainers, other participants and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the "activity" takes place (each considered one of the "Releasees" herein) from all liability, claims, demands, losses, or damages on my account caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the "releasees" or otherwise, including negligent rescue operations.

I further agree that if, despite this release, waiver of liability, and assumption of risk, I, or anyone on my behalf, makes a claim against any of the Releasees, I will indemnify, save, and hold harmless each of the Releasees from any loss, liability, damage or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim.

The Skating Club of Western New York has the right, but not the obligation, to provide rules, regulations and/or ice monitors for Club Ice. We hereby acknowledge that the Skating Club of Western New York shall not be responsible for the supervision of the members at Club Ice.

By checking the box below you are giving up substantial legal rights. Please read this document carefully before agreeing.

Members agree to comply with all SCWNY policies, USFS rules, and any applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Membership is non-transferable and non-refundable once the season has commenced. The club reserves the right to revoke membership for failure to comply with any membership requirements.

Non-Compliance & Sanctions

Members who do not fulfill all membership requirements by the stated deadlines will be considered as not renewing for the following season. The SCWNY Board of Directors reserves the right to review each situation individually and impose appropriate sanctions, which may include:

• Repayment of all club financial benefits received during the membership year, including but not limited to grants, scholarships, ice card discounts, seminar discounts, membership fees, test session fees, and banquet fees;
• Loss of club recognition and acknowledgements;
• Revocation of club membership; and/or
• Being placed in "not in good standing" status with US Figure Skating.

Members who held SCWNY membership for one year or less may be required to demonstrate that their membership was not obtained solely for the purpose of accessing club financial benefits. Acceptable circumstances include relocation, serious injury, or illness.

Emergencies & Exceptions

We understand that life circumstances can change unexpectedly. If a personal situation arises that prevents you from fulfilling your membership requirements, please contact the SCWNY Board of Directors as soon as possible at [email protected]. All requests for exception are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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Review & Submit