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Welcome to the ACAO! We are excited to have you with us this season! ACA Optimist Club (“ACAO”) was established in 1989. This year brings in a breath of fresh air as we add football to our organization. We are excited to kick off this new expansion with positivity and an optimistic attitude. The ACAO hosts various events during the year to give back to the community. Events include summer splash bash, football camps, cheer camps, food drives, an official cheer competition, football super bowl and a holiday party. Each squad must have at least 2 Sponsors for teams up to 12 girls and 3 Sponsors for teams up to 16 girls. Sponsors are responsible for all communication and information to their coaches and parents of their squad. The ACAO maintains an annually elected Board of Directors to run the Club. The Board of Directors helps to ensure all of its rules are being followed, investigates complaints, everyone operates in a safe manner, and helps to ensure that everyone has fun. All of the ACAO Directors and Officers are volunteers and many are also Sponsors. The ACAO Board and its members review and approve its Bylaws and rules each year. A listing of its current Directors and Officers, as well as a copy of the most current adopted rules and Bylaws can be found on the ACAO official website. The ACAO is looking forward to another exciting season and its best year ever. The ACAO is happy that you want to be a part of it and certainly welcomes any feedback including any suggestions to make it a more enjoyable experience. Thank you, The ACAO Board of Directors! Important info: ACAO official website www.acaoptimistclub.com Primary contact Mike Mills or Glenda White at [email protected] Who is the ACAO? Arlington Community Athletics Organization (known as “ACAO”, “Club” or “Optimist Club”) is a non-profit club affiliated with Optimist International. The ACAO was formed in 1989 to provide social activities for all of its participants. The Club has a Board of Directors, which meets once a month and who governs the Club, help makes and monitors the rules, makes changes to its programs, and resolves any conflicts or problems. The Club maintains Bylaws and Rules that are in place to help run all facets the Club. Some of the rules are in place because there have been problems related to such action in the past. Most of the rules are to help ensure that everything is fair and that everyone is safe. The Club encourages everyone to visit its website at www.acaoptimistclub.com to obtain more information about its history, ongoing programs, general information, bylaws, rules, forms, referrals of vendors or coaches, and where various announcements are posted. Generally, each month the Board, Coaches and Sponsors meet with the Board on the second Monday of every month. At the meetings, old business is completed, different vendors present their goods or services, rules and bylaw changes are discussed, and important announcements are discussed. It is the duty of the Coaches and Sponsors to take the information received from the ACAO and pass it along to everyone on their squad. In addition, to the meetings, the ACAO posts some of these items on their website, and then sends emails and TXT blasts to Coaches, Sponsors and parents related to important announcements or changes. Such items include canceled games, schedule changes, registration dates and deadlines, volunteers needed, new events, event time and dates, survey requests, forms, financial statement information deadlines, etc. This is why it is very important to supply both the ACAO and your Coach or Sponsor with your cell phone and with your email address on the registration form. Optimist Creed The ACAO believes that respect of others and good sportsmanship is very important and must be exhibited by everyone at all times that are involved in or with the ACAO. As a result, the ACAO adopted a creed that articulates its Code of Honor that it expects everyone to abide by. The Optimist Creed is as follows: Promise Yourself - To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. Practices To be held at a location determined by your Coaches o Limit of 2 pre-approved absences per season o Excused absences are limited to: illness, illness of a minor child, death in family, school function, religious holidays, academic required programs, pre-approved family vacations, anything else must be pre-approved by sponsor only They MUST wear adequate football attire to practice Provide child a water bottle at practices and games – no soft drinks Games ALL participates are to be at the field with their team 30 mins before game time in full uniform o All participants must be in full uniform to take the field. A participant may be benched until all uniform requirements are met. Important Dates 09/02/2018 – ACAO Swim Party at BK Pool (Stovall Park) 09/08/2018 – Opening Day Ceremonies – 8U -12U 9/22/2018 – Opening Day for 6U 10/13/2018 – Pink out! In support of breast cancer awareness, the team can wear matching pink accessories. Let’s have fun with it. TBA – Optimist Night, cheerleaders and football players are announced at a high school football game (5:30PM – field to be announced) TBA - Competition In November, the ACAO holds its annual Competition for its cheerleaders. TBA – Team EOY Party TBA – ACAO Christmas Party Rules & Policies 1. Above all everyone should follow the ACAO Optimist creed and always portray the upmost respect and honor to everyone, as well as demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times! 2. Attend all required practices and games. 3. Notify the Coaches if you will be absent, late, or need to leave early for any practice, game, or event. 4. Any and all injuries occurring during any practice, game, or event should always be immediately reported to the Sponsors and to the ACAO Board, and 1st Vice President. 5. If anyone is hurt on the field during a game please be respectful until the individual is removed from the field by kneeling down on one knee. If the individual is removed from the field and conscious then you should clap as a sign of respect. NEVER clap if the individual is removed via ambulance or is unconscious. 6. All participants and coaches ARE NOT ALLOWED to chew gum, eat food, snacks, or candy, or drink sodas during practice or during a game. 7. Pay attention to your coaches. They are there to teach you cheers so you can be the best cheerleader you can be. Do not hang on them while at practice or a game. 8. Follow the Chain of Command related to handling your complaint about anything or anyone. That is - tell your Sponsor first. If the matter is not resolved or if the matter relates to the Sponsors then contact the ACAO Board – at [email protected] 9. Each participant is responsible for bringing water to drink at practice and to the games. 10. Everyone should remember to stay hydrated and drink lots of water during practice and at the games, especially if you are outdoors and the outdoor temperature is 90 degrees or higher. 11. Participants and coaches should show up at least 30 minutes before their game time to allow adequate time to warm up and for check in. 12. A participant cannot leave a game or practice without being accompanied by a responsible person. Jr. Coaches and participants have to tell the Coaches before leaving a practice or game for any reason. 13. To ensure everyone’s safety, if a participant needs to be dropped off at practice or at a game the participants’ parents/guardian should arrange clear drop off or pick up instructions with the Coaches. Everyone has busy schedules, so as a courtesy and to ensure safety, if you are late for drop off or pick up please call and notify the Sponsors. 14. NO mascots or non-cheerleaders are allowed on the field or in the cheer area during any game. 15. NEVER yell or scream at any other person, football player, cheerleader, coach, Sponsor, or parent. 16. NO electronic devices should be used during practice or at a game. 17. If a participant voluntarily quits without cause during the season then they are prohibited from returning to play on any team during the next season. 18. The participant must sign the Chain of Command form, Social Media and Conduct form, and obtain a physical. 19. NO coach is allowed to be paid and paid lessons or camps cannot be deemed mandatory by anyone on the squad. 20. Violations of these rules or multiple no-shows for practices or games may result in suspension or removal from the team.

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