The Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team Grievance Procedure provides swimmers, parents, coaches, club leaders, and volunteers a system to address and report grievances in a productive, sytematic way.  Following these procedures provides the appropriate parties a means to properly investigate, intervene, and take disciplinary action when needed.

WHERE TO REPORT:
For issues dealing with sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and/or sexually explicit or inappropriate communication through social media:

• U.S. Center for Safe Sport: 833-5US-SAFE (833-587-7233)                                                            or https://safesport.i-sight.com/portal

For issues dealing with physical abuse, emotional abuse, criminal charges and the use, sale or distribution of illegal drugs:

• USA Swimming Safe Sport: safesport@usaswimming.org or https://fs22.formsite.com/usaswimming/form10/index.html

For issues dealing with known or suspected child abuse:

• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline  1-800-652-1999
• Norfolk Police Department   402-644-8700

For issues dealing with peer-to-peer bullying, coach-athlete bullying, parent issues, violations of the Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team Code of Conduct and violations of the NYA Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy.

• These issues are handled at the club level following the procedures outlined below.

WHOM TO NOTIFY OF A GRIEVANCE (Chain of Command)

Regarding the Conduct of a Swimmer – Contact the swimmer’s coach.

• Should a parent or swimmer feel another swimmer’s conduct is inappropriate or violates the Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team Code of Conduct, the parent/swimmer should discuss these concerns with the coach of the swimmer responsible for the violation (Responsible Coach). This complaint should be made in person or in writing.  Coaches will ensure the Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team head coach is notified of the complaint and will participate in assessing behavior.

 

Regarding the Conduct of an Assistant Coach – Contact the Head Coach

• Should a parent or swimmer feel an Assistant Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or in violation of any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Head Coach and/or the Safe Sport Club Coordinator of this violation.  This complaint should be made in person or in writing.  The Head Coach and/or the Safe Sport Club Coordinator will ensure that the proper authority is notified of the complaint and will participate in assessing behavior.

 

Regarding Conduct of Head Coach – Notify the Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team Safe Sport Club Coordinator – contact (Kent Olberding) or any Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team board member.

• Should a parent or swimmer feel the Head Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team Safe Sport Club Coordinator or any board member of this violation.  This complaint should be made in person or in writing.

 

Regarding Parent or Official Conduct - Notify the Head Coach or the Safe Sport Club Coordinator

• Should a parent or swimmer feel another Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team parent’s or an official’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Head Coach of this violation in person or in writing.

 

Note: With the exception of issues which immediately affect the health and safety of swimmers, all matters should be discussed before or after a coaching session, as coaches should not be expected to deal with issues during water time.

 

 HOW GRIEVANCES WILL BE HANDLED

Any grievance or concern that is reported to any team official, will immediately be delivered to the Behavior and Disciplinary Committee.  With the approval of the Head Coach and the Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team Board,  penalties can be imposed for infractions of the Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team athlete, parent, coach, official, or volunteer for any behavior they deem not conducive to the best interests of the Club or other swimmers. Consequences are at the sole discretion of the Behavior and Disciplinary Committee, the coaches and board members and may include, but aren’t limited to, verbal warnings, dismissal from practice, contacting parents, temporary suspension from club activities and expulsion. Involved parties will be informed of the processes and range of potential consequences. The U.S. Center for Safe Sport, USA Swimming and local law enforcement (if applicable) will be contacted within 24 hours if a coach, parent, or swimmer violates the Safe Sport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements, the USA Swimming Code of Conduct, Athlete Protection Policy, or local laws.

 

1. Gathering Information: The appropriate individuals will contact the person who filed the grievance, and the person against whom the grievance is being filed, to ask questions about what happened. In addition, other witnesses may be contacted for more information.  All information will be recorded on the Norfolk YMCA Aquajet Swim Team grievance procedure form.
2. Assessing Behavior: The behavior of the person(s) against which the grievance was brought, will be assessed using club policies and facility rules, USA Swimming Code of Conduct, USA Swimming Safe Sport policies, as well as applicable local and state laws.
3. Consequences will be given and disciplinary action will be taken, if appropriate. These consequences and disciplinary actions will be decided using the following general guidelines:
   1. Nature of the misconduct
   2. Severity of the misconduct
   3. Prior disciplinary actions
   4. Adverse effect of the misconduct
   5. Application of the Code of Conduct