METROPLEX AQUATICS GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

 

The Metroplex Aquatics Grievance Procedure provides swimmers, parents, coaches, club leaders and employees a system to address and report grievances in a productive, systematic 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:

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

For issues dealing with known or suspected child abuse:

  • Contact 911 it is an emergency. Call 800-252-5400 to report abuse to the DFPS Texas Abuse Hotline. A report can also be made online at: Texas Abuse Hotline

For issues dealing with peer-to-peer bullying, coach-athlete bullying, parent issues, violations of the [name of club] Code of Conduct and violations of the 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 Metroplex Aquatics 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 Metroplex officers and CEO are notified of the complaint and will participate in assessing behavior.

 

Regarding the Conduct of an Assistant or Age Group Coach - Contact the Head Coach

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

 

Regarding Conduct of Head Coach – Notify the Metroplex Aquatics President 

  • 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 the President of the Board of Directors of this violation.  This complaint should be made in person or in writing.   If the President is not immediately available, this complaint may be presented to any member of the officers, with notification made in writing to the President.  This complaint will be subject to review and discussion by the full officer group.

 

Regarding Board of Director Member Conduct - Notify the Metroplex Aquatics President

  • Should a parent or swimmer feel a Director’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the President of this violation in person or in writing. If the President is the officer whose conduct is in question, the Vice President should be notified in writing or in person instead of the  President. This complaint will be reviewed and discussed by the full group of officers.

 

Regarding Parent or Swim Official Conduct - Notify the Head Coach and President

  • Should a parent or swimmer feel another Metroplex Aquatics parent’s or an official’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Head Coach and President of this violation in person or in writing. This complaint will be reviewed and discussed by the full officer board.

 

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

The board of officers have the authority to impose penalties for infractions of the Metroplex Aquatics Athlete, Parent and Coach Codes of Conduct or any behavior(s) they deem not conducive to the best interests of the Club or other swimmers. Consequences are at the sole discretion of the coaches and/or Metroplex Aquatics officers 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 SafeSport, USA Swimming and local law enforcement (if applicable) will be contacted within 24 hours if a coach, parent, or swimmer violates the SafeSport 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.
  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