As a member of our club, all skaters must adhere to this Code of Conduct at all times.

General Guidelines:

The Bog Skating Club is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for members’ physical, emotional and social development and ensuring that it promotes an environment free of misconduct. This Skater Code of Conduct has been established to ensure the safety of all members using our ice to ensure quality practice time for all home club, associate, non-members and guests who purchase ice from the club and who participate in all club-related activities.

1. All skaters, regardless of whether they hold home club, associate, non-member or guest status, must follow and uphold the provisions in this Skater Code of Conduct regarding behavior on and off the ice. All club members are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship and be courteous toward their fellow skaters, coaches, parents/guardians of skaters, U.S. Figure Skating officials and guests.

2. The Bog Skating Club is committed to promoting a positive and friendly environment for all skaters. Remember ‘The Golden Rule’ — treat other people like you want to be treated — with respect.

Ice Etiquette and Safety:

1. While in lesson or practice, it is the skater's responsibility to always be conscientious and aware of other skaters around them.

2. Skaters must skate with the flow of other skaters and familiarize themselves with the most commonly used areas for jumps and spins.

3. The only time a skater has the SOLE right of way is when they are skating their program to music. When you hear another member's music, please extend that person the courtesy and move out of their path momentarily. This only takes a moment, and you will enjoy the same courtesy while you are performing your program.

4. Advanced skaters are expected to exhibit patience toward beginner members of the club. Remember, you were an inexperienced skater once, and it takes time for our future generation to advance to the point where they are completely comfortable skating with all levels of skaters.

Unsafe or Discourteous Behavior:

Unsafe or discourteous behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.

By participating in a Bog Skating Club event and/or hosted activity, and for good and valuable consideration, I release and grant to Bog Skating Club, including its subsidiary and affiliated entities, the right to use my name, likeness, image, photograph, voice, video, athletic performance, biographical information and any other indicia of identity, in any format whatsoever, from a Bog Skating Club event or activity (collectively, my Identifications"), and to distribute, broadcast and exhibit my Identifications, without charge, restriction or liability, in any media now known or hereafter devised (including, but not limited to, social media, television, internet, web casting, and video streaming) or in various publications (including, but not limited to, the directory or media guide, promotional flyers and marketing materials) into perpetuity, unless otherwise specified and agreed upon. I understand that I will not receive any compensation for any such use of my Identifications. It is also agreed that at no time can Bog Skating Club release or authorize the use of my Identifications to an unrelated third party for the purpose of my endorsement of any commercial property, product, or service, without my written permission.

The Bog Skating Club is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for members’ physical, emotional and social development and ensuring that it promotes an environment free of misconduct.

By signing below I hereby agree that:

1. I will encourage good sportsmanship by my actions, demonstrating positive support for all skaters, coaches, and officials at every practice, competition, and test session.

2. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child and others ahead of my desire to win.

3. I will encourage my child to skate in a safe and healthy environment by maintaining a respectful and courteous attitude towards others.

4. I will promptly inform my child’s coach of any physical/mental disability or challenge affecting my child that may affect the safety of my child or others.

5. I will teach my child that doing his/her best is more important than winning.

6. I will not ridicule, bully, blame, or yell at my child or other skaters, coaches, officials, or volunteers in response to a poor performance or for any other reason.

7. I will do my best to make skating fun at all times and will remember that my child participates in sports for his/her own enjoyment and satisfaction.

8. I will teach my child to treat other skaters, coaches, fans, volunteers, officials, and rink staff with respect, regardless of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability. I will also take action and report any acts of bullying, harassment or abuse to the appropriate authorities.

9. I will applaud any effort in both victory and defeat emphasizing positive accomplishments and learning from mistakes.

10. I will teach my child to resolve conflicts calmly and peacefully without resorting to hostility or violence.

11. I will be a positive role model for my child and others.

12. I will demand a figure skating environment for my child that is free of drug or alcohol abuse and agree that I will not use or provide to a third-party any illegal drug prohibited by applicable federal, state, or municipal law.

13. I will not assist or condone any athlete’s use of a banned substance as described by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, the World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic Committee, the International Skating Union, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, or U.S. Figure Skating, or, in case of athletes, to use such drugs or refuse to submit to properly conducted drug tests administered by one of these organizations.

14. I will expect my child’s coach to be in compliance with all requirements of U.S. Figure Skating and the Professional Skaters Association, to continue their education and training through programs offered by U.S. Figure Skating, the Professional Skaters Association and other accredited organizations.

15. I will respect my child’s coach and refrain from “sideline” coaching my child or other skaters.

16. I will respect the decisions of officials, their authority and decisions during competitions and test sessions and teach my child to do the same.

17. I will show appreciation and recognize the importance of volunteers and club officials. I will fulfill my responsibility to help my club with membership, special projects, competitions, and test sessions.

18. I agree to report to the appropriate entity/party any U.S. Figure Skating Code of Conduct, SkateSafe®, or U.S. Center for SafeSport Code violations that I observe or am otherwise made aware of.

19. I will become familiar with the rules of the U.S. Figure Skating and teach my child accordingly.

20. I will support and respect all skaters and their right to participate.

Purpose: The Bog Skating Club is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for members’ physical, emotional and social development and ensuring that it promotes an environment free of misconduct and abuse. This information is intended to provide both the general principles and the decision rules to cover most situations encountered by coaches and instructors. It has, as its primary goal, the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom coaches work.

It is the individual responsibility of each coach to aspire to the highest possible standards of conduct. Above all, coaches of young people can have great influence on developing athletes who are reliant on these coaches for the basic instruction and guidance necessary to reach the top levels. Coaches can have tremendous power over these athletes in their quest to the top. This power must not be abused. Therefore, we have set forth these codes of ethics and conduct to guide our coaches and protect our athletes for the mutual benefit of all concerned.

General Principles:

• Competence: Coaches must strive to maintain high standards of excellence in their work. They should recognize the boundaries of their particular competencies and the limitations of their expertise. They should provide only those services and use only those techniques for which they are qualified by education, training and/or experience. In those areas, where recognized professional standards do not yet exist, coaches must exercise careful judgment and take appropriate precautions to protect the welfare of those with whom they work. They shall maintain knowledge of relevant scientific and professional information related to the services they render, and they must recognize the need for ongoing education. Coaches should make appropriate use of scientific, professional, technical, and administrative resources.

• Integrity: Coaches should seek to promote integrity in their coaching profession. Coaches should always be honest, fair, and respectful of others. They must not make representations about their qualifications, services, products, or fees that are false, misleading, or deceptive. Coaches should strive to be aware of their own belief systems, values, needs and limitations and the effect of these on their work. To the extent feasible, they should attempt to clarify for relevant parties, the roles they are performing and to function appropriately in accordance with those roles. Coaches must avoid conflicts of interest.

• Professional Responsibility: Coaches must uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles and obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and adapt their methods to the needs of different athletes. Coaches should consult with, refer to, or cooperate with other professionals and institutions to the extent needed to serve the best interest of their athletes, or other recipients of their services. Coaches should be concerned about the ethical compliance of their colleagues’ conduct. When appropriate, they should consult with their colleagues in order to prevent or avoid unethical conduct.

• Respect for Participants and Dignity: Coaches shall respect the fundamental rights, dignity and worth of all participants. Coaches must be aware of cultural, individual, and role differences, including those due to age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language and socioeconomic status. Coaches must eliminate the effect on their work of biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone unfair discriminatory practices.

• Concern for Others Welfare: In their actions, coaches must consider the welfare and rights of their athletes and other participants. When conflicts occur among coaches’ obligations or concerns, they should attempt to resolve these conflicts and to perform their roles in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm. Coaches shall be sensitive to differences in power between themselves and others and should not exploit nor mislead other people during or after their relationship.

• Responsible Coaching: Coaches must be aware of their ethical responsibility to the community and the society in which they work and live. Coaches must comply with the law and encourage the development of law and policies that serve the interest of sport or activity. The coach shall strive to serve as a leader and model in the development of appropriate conduct for the athlete both within and beyond the U.S. Figure Skating setting. The coach shall strive to use strategies in practice and competition that are designed to encourage play within the letter and spirit of the rules. The coach shall strive to keep the concepts of winning and losing in proper perspective. The coach shall strive to enforce policies and rules with fairness, consistency, and an appreciation for individual differences.

Ethical Standards:

• Compliance with Rule Requirements: All coaches must complete all annual coaching member requirements set forth by U.S. Figure Skating Rules and the PSA that apply to them by the appropriate deadlines.

• Competence: Coaches should not undertake these duties until they have first obtained the proper training, study and advice that they are competent to do so.

• Maintaining Expertise: Coaches should maintain a level of expertise through continued education and experience and shall strive to acquire additional education and experience through sources available to them.

• Respecting Others: Coaches shall respect the rights of other’s values, opinions, and beliefs even if they differ from their own.

• Nondiscrimination: Coaches must not engage in discrimination based upon age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, language, socioeconomic status, or any other basis as protected by applicable law.

• Misconduct: Coaches must not, under any circumstances, engage in any form of misconduct and will respond to complaints of such a nature to respondents with dignity and respect.

• Personal Problems or Conflicts: Coaches should have a responsibility to be aware if there are personal problems or conflicts which may affect their ability to work with athletes. They should also be able to identify problems affecting their athletes, which could potentially create situations that place their athletes in harm or danger of injury, and take the appropriate steps to remove the athlete from this environment.

Further, any person who makes groundless allegations or complaints of abuse or harassment may be subject to disciplinary action per Article XXV, Section 3B, of the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws.

Coaches Code of Conduct:

• Must obey and abide by all U.S. Figure Skating published rules, regulations, and procedures.

• Shall maintain exemplary standards of personal conduct.

• Must obey all state, national and international laws.

• May not be under the effects of alcohol, illegal drugs or any substance that can affect athlete safety and coaching judgment.

• Must refrain from using any profane or abusive language.

• Must not engage in any type of misconduct with any athlete.

• Must teach and support the athletes fairly and equitably.

• Must never discriminate against any athlete.

I understand that as a U.S. Figure Skating member coach, I have assumed certain responsibilities to prepare, develop and be an advocate and role model. I agree to the “Coaches Code of Conduct,” have read the “Coaches Code of Conduct” and understand what is expected of me.

Refer to the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook and SkateSafe® Handbook for more information.