METROPLEX AQUATICS
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
The Metroplex Aquatics Grievance Procedure provides swimmers, parents, coaches, club leaders, and employees with a system to address and report grievances in a productive, systematic way. Following these procedures provides the appropriate parties a means to properly investigate concerns, intervene when appropriate, 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 SafeSport: 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233) or https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/
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:
· Contact local law enforcement and/or the appropriate state-required child-protection agency.
For issues dealing with peer-to-peer bullying, coach-athlete bullying, parent issues, violations of the Metroplex Aquatics Code of Conduct, or violations of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy:
· These issues are handled at the Metroplex Aquatics club level following the procedures outlined below.
WHOM TO NOTIFY OF A GRIEVANCEChain of Command
Conduct of a Swimmer — Contact the Swimmer’s Coach
If a parent or swimmer believes another swimmer’s conduct is inappropriate or violates the Metroplex Aquatics Code of Conduct, the concern should be discussed with the coach responsible for the swimmer. The complaint may be made in person or in writing. The coach will notify the appropriate Metroplex Aquatics leadership and participate in assessing the behavior.
Conduct of an Assistant or Age Group Coach — Contact the Head Coach
If a parent or swimmer believes an Assistant or Age Group Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or violates Metroplex Aquatics policies or procedures, the parent or swimmer should notify the Head Coach. The complaint may be made in person or in writing. The Head Coach will participate in assessing the concern and will notify appropriate Metroplex Aquatics management when necessary.
Conduct of the Site Coordinator Coach —Contact Metroplex Aquatics Head Coach
If a parent or swimmer believes the Head Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or violates Metroplex Aquatics policies or procedures, the concern should be submitted to Metroplex Aquatics management/ownership. The complaint may be made in person or in writing and should be reviewed by someone other than the person whose conduct is being questioned.
Parent or Swim Official Conduct — Contact the Head Coach
If a parent or swimmer believes another Metroplex Aquatics parent’s or an official’s conduct is inappropriate or violates Metroplex Aquatics policies or procedures, the parent or swimmer should notify the Head Coach and appropriate Metroplex Aquatics management. The complaint may be made in person or in writing.
Important: With the exception of issues that immediately affect the health or safety of swimmers, matters should be discussed before or after a coaching session. Coaches should not be expected to deal with routine grievances during water time.
HOW GRIEVANCES WILL BE HANDLED
Metroplex Aquatics coaches and management have the authority to address infractions of the Metroplex Aquatics Athlete, Parent, and Coach Codes of Conduct and behaviors that are not conducive to the best interests of Metroplex Aquatics or its swimmers. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, verbal warnings, dismissal from practice, contacting parents, temporary suspension from club activities, and expulsion from the program. Involved parties will be informed of the process and, when appropriate, the range of potential consequences.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Swimming, and local law enforcement will be contacted when required by applicable SafeSport requirements, USA Swimming policies, or law.
1. Gathering Information
The appropriate Metroplex Aquatics representative will contact the person who filed the grievance and the person against whom the grievance is filed to ask questions about what happened. Other witnesses may also be contacted for additional information. Relevant information will be documented using the Metroplex Aquatics grievance documentation process.
2. Assessing Behavior
The behavior involved in the grievance will be assessed using Metroplex Aquatics policies and facility rules, the USA Swimming Code of Conduct, USA Swimming Safe Sport policies, applicable SafeSport requirements, and applicable local and state laws.
3. Consequences and Disciplinary Action
Consequences and disciplinary action, when appropriate, will be determined based on the circumstances of the situation and may consider the following general guidelines:
· Nature of the misconduct
· Severity of the misconduct
· Prior disciplinary actions
· Adverse effect of the misconduct
· Application of the applicable Code of Conduct and policies
GOOD-FAITH REPORTING
Metroplex Aquatics encourages swimmers, parents, coaches, employees, and other members of the organization to report concerns in good faith. Retaliation against a person who makes a good-faith report or participates in the review of a grievance is not appropriate. At the same time, knowingly making a false report or intentionally providing false information may result in disciplinary action.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Metroplex Aquatics will make reasonable efforts to handle grievances respectfully and maintain privacy to the extent practical and permitted by law. Information may be shared with individuals who need the information to investigate, respond to, or report the concern, or when disclosure is required by SafeSport requirements, USA Swimming policies, or law.