Welcome to The s1

WELCOME TO THE SCOTTSDALE AQUATIC CLUB!

Scottsdale Aquatic Club (SAC) as a member of USA Swimming, Inc., is a year-round, competitive swim team offering high quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. As a club, we are dedicated to giving our swimmers the best opportunity for achieving their potential and swimming at the highest level of competition. Our goal is to provide each and every member the best environment to improve their swimming skills and achieve success. SAC has been incorporated since 1966 and is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization run by an elected Board of Directors which meets monthly. SAC swimmers compete in meets that are held locally, within Arizona, Regionally, Nationally, and Internationally. We are sponsored by the City of Scottsdale and most SAC practices are conducted at Cactus Pool, located at the Northeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Cactus Road. There is also a group of younger SAC swimmers who work out at the McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center located at Thompson Peak Parkway and McDowell Ranch Road on specified days. We are glad you have chosen competitive swimming as a sport and SAC for your child to be a member. We are proud of our team and each swimmer’s accomplishments. We are looking forward to getting to know you and your swimmer. If you have any questions, feel free to talk with your swimmer’s coach, the head coach, or a board member.

T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More. At SAC, we understand that a group of athletes working together toward a common goal will help each individual achieve more than they thought possible. We promote team unity and respect for all members of the team. If we all help each other and support each other, great things will happen!

Head Coach Kevin Zacher [email protected] Office Admin. Judy Pennington [email protected] Office Phone (480) 951-5368 Office FAX (480) 443-4108 Club website www.teamunify.com/assac/ Or www.scottsdaleswim.com Cactus Pool Office (480) 312-7665 Club Message Board & Files Outside the door of the SAC Office

You may also leave a message for Judy or Kevin or any other coach and they will return your call. The team line number is (480) 951-5368. 2

Program Description - SAC Group Structure The group structure is aimed at providing the best opportunities for ALL of our athletes to grow and improve as well as allow them to practice in groups with peers that are of the same relative age, maturity and ability levels. Coaches will place your child in the most appropriate group to when you join SAC. They want your child to feel successful in their group and in their swimming skills. As a club, we are dedicated to giving our swimmers the best opportunity for achieving their potential and swimming at the highest level. This same philosophy will be used in determining group placement. We believe that as swimmers progress through the program, the motivation to move to the next group will make ALL the groups stronger. As this occurs, swimmers in every group will be pushed to new heights.

After the initial placement, group placement is determined by two main factors: 1. PRACTICE ATTENDANCE (higher percentage of practice attendance equates to a higher score); and 2. COMPETITION RESULTS (based in USA Swimming IMX Extreme program). The swimmers receive a score for each component. Those swimmers with the higher scores will be given the first opportunity to be in the top group. If a swimmer declines to be in a group, the next swimmer in line, based on the criteria, is given the opportunity to be in the group. Once the group capacity has been filled, the next group will be filled and so forth.

Group placement also includes a category for PRACTICE PERFORMANCE. This consists of a series of Test Sets that will be scored similar to the categories above. There will be three test sets given to all swimmers: 1—endurance freestyle test; 2— individual medley test; 3—kicking test. Test set dates are set in advance and published so that swimmers can be sure to be at practice that day! Test sets take place only during Short Course Season due to the short length of the Long Course Season.

In a few cases, a COACH’S RECOMMENDATION may be the deciding factor in consideration of a swimmer being in a certain practice group. Coaches see their groups of swimmers daily and have many opportunities to observe swimmers’ physical and emotional maturity levels as well as teamwork attitude and readiness to advance to the next group. Coaches will move swimmers to the next level only when they feel the swimmer is ready to succeed at that next level.

When determining the group sizes, we have set up a coach-to-swimmer ratio similar to an elementary school classroom. We believe this is an effective number of swimmers with whom a coach can work. Based on past attendance records, we can determine an “Average Daily Attendance” (ADA) target of about 20-24 swimmers per practice. For instance, if a group has 32 swimmers, and the average attendance of the group is 75%, there will be an ADA of 24 swimmers at each practice.

Placement in a practice group is not guaranteed for an entire season. If a swimmer is failing to fulfill his/her obligation to the group, he/she may be assigned to a different 3 training group and his/her spot may be filled by the next swimmer in line based on the group criteria. Group placements will be determined at three times during the year, between each season: August, after Summer; December, after Fall; and April, after Winter. Following each season, the swimmers will be ranked according to the above criteria and placed into groups.

Senior Swim Groups Swimmers will not be placed in a Senior Group before age 13. Senior I Approximately 20 swimmers in the Senior Program will have the opportunity to be in this group. Swimmers in this group are highly motivated and are expected to maintain excellent practice attendance and work ethic. The emphasis is on obtaining peak strength and conditioning, specialization of events and competing at the highest level. Swimmers in this group are swimming at the Sectional Level and striving to qualify for Junior/Senior Nationals. Swimmers in this group are required to maintain at least 90% attendance.

Senior II Approximately 28 swimmers in the Senior Program will have the opportunity to be in this group. Swimmers in this group are expected to maintain above average practice attendance and work ethic. The emphasis is on stroke improvement, strength and conditioning improvement and competing at the highest level qualified for. Swimmers in this group are striving to qualify for Senior Sectionals and move into Senior I in the future. Swimmers in this group are required to maintain at least 80% attendance.

Senior III Swimmers in this group have the expectation to meet practice attendance requirements and have a great attitude about swimming. The emphasis is on skill development and aerobic conditioning. Swimmers in this group are striving to swim at the State Championships and move into Senior I or II in the future. This group also encompasses many swimmers who compete for their high schools and desire year-round conditioning to enhance their skills and performances.

Senior IV: Swimmers in this group primarily compete for their high schools and desire year-round conditioning to enhance their skills and performances. They have the expectation to meet practice attendance requirements and have a great attitude about swimming. The emphasis is on skill development and aerobic conditioning.

Age-Group Swim Groups Gold Approximately 24 swimmers aged 11-14 years have the opportunity to be in this group. Swimmers in this group are highly motivated to achieve their potential and are expected to maintain excellent practice attendance and work ethic. The emphasis is on stroke improvement, maximizing aerobic conditioning and competing at the highest level for which a swimmer qualifies while also having fun and appreciating the sport of swimming. Swimmers in this group have already qualified to swim at the State Championships and are striving to qualify and compete at the Far Western Championships. These swimmers 4 are also preparing to move into the Senior Program when appropriate. Swimmers in this group are expected to maintain at least 85% attendance. Silver Approximately 24 swimmers aged 10-12 years have the opportunity to be in this group. Swimmers in this group are highly motivated to achieve their potential and are expected to maintain excellent practice attendance and work ethic. The emphasis is on stroke improvement, aerobic conditioning improvement and competing at the highest level for which a swimmer qualifies while also having fun and appreciating the sport of swimming. Swimmers in this group have already qualified to swim at the State Championships and are striving to qualify and compete at the Far Western Championships. These swimmers are also preparing to move into the Gold Group when appropriate. Swimmers in this group are expected to maintain at least 80% attendance.

Bronze Approximately 32 swimmers aged 11-14 years have the opportunity to be in this group. Swimmers in this group are beginning to understand their potential in the sport and are learning the values of attendance and hard work. They are also having fun and appreciating the sport of swimming. The emphasis is on stroke improvement, aerobic conditioning and competing at the highest level for which a swimmer is qualified. Swimmers in this group are striving to qualify for the State Championships and preparing to move in the Gold or Silver Groups in the future.

Blue Approximately 32 swimmers aged 10 years & Under have the opportunity to be in this group. Swimmers in this group are still fairly new to the sport and are still perfecting stroke technique and other skills. They are still early in their swimming careers and still have much to learn. The emphasis is on learning and competing in all four strokes, beginning to understand training sets and competing in invitational-style swim meets. Swimmers in this group are striving to complete all the events for their age group, qualifying for the State Championships, and preparing to move into the Bronze or Silver Groups. They are also having fun and appreciating the sport of swimming.

Red Approximately 24 swimmers aged 9 years & Under have the opportunity to be in this group. Swimmers in this group are new to year-round swimming but not necessarily competitive swimming. They are in the beginning stages of regular competition. The emphasis for swimmers in this group is learning to perform all the strokes legally, completing an Individual Medley event legally in competition, having fun and developing an appreciation for swimming. Swimmers in this group are preparing to move into the Blue Group.

White Approximately 24 swimmers aged 8 years & Under have the opportunity to be in this group. Swimmers in this group are new to competitive swimming. They are able to complete 25 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke before joining the Club. The emphasis for swimmers in this group is learning the basic skills of all the strokes and having fun and developing an appreciation for swimming. They are learning the basics of competitive 5 swimming that they will continue to build on as they progress through the swim groups. Swimmers in this group are preparing to move into the Red Group. 6

SCOTTSDALE AQUATIC CLUB REGISTRATION FORM

Swimmer’s Name: ______Today’s Date: ______(First) (MI) (Last)

Swimmer’s Age: ______M F Birthdate: ______

Mother’s Name: ______Father’s Name: ______

Mother’s Occupation: ______Father’s Occupation: ______

Home Address: ______(City) (Zip Code) Billing Address: ______(City) (Zip Code) Telephone (Home): ______

(Cell): ______

(Work): ______

Email Address for Team Communication:______

Please indicate: Single Parent Family Two Parent Family

Do you pay taxes to the City of Scottsdale? (circle) Yes No

Any Allergies? ______Any medical conditions of which the coach should be aware? ______List any medications the swimmer is taking: ______

Medical Release: I hereby give my permission for any and all medical attention to be administered to my child, ______, in the event of an accident, injury or sickness under the direction of the person listed below until such time as I may be contacted. This release is effective until revoked by me. I also hereby assume the responsibility for payment of any such medical treatment. In case I cannot be reached, any of the following are designated to approve such treatment: Any Member of the Scottsdale Aquatic Coaching Staff or person designated by the Coaching Staff.

My Insurance Company: ______Policy #: ______

Group #: ______Subscriber Name:______

Swimmer’s Physician: ______Phone #: ______

Parent Signature: ______7

SCOTTSDALE AQUATIC CLUB PHOTO RELEASE FORM

I hereby grant permission to Scottsdale Aquatic Club to use my likeness in a photograph on it World Wide Website or in other official club printed publications without payment or any other consideration.

I acknowledge the Club’s rights to crop and treat the photograph at its discretion. I understand that the club may choose not to use my photo at this time, but may do so at its own discretion at a later date. I also understand and agree that these materials will become property of Scottsdale Aquatic Club and will not be returned.

I hereby hold harmless and release and forever discharge Scottsdale Aquatic Club form all claims, demands, and causes of action, which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on my estate’s behalf have or may have by reason of this authorization.

I understand that once my image is posted on Scottsdale Aquatic Club’s website, the image can be downloaded by any computer user. Therefore, I agree to indemnify and hold harmless from any claims the following: Scottsdale Aquatic Club Board of Directors Scottsdale Aquatic Club Employees

I am 21 years of age and am competent to contract in my own name. I have read this release before signing below and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this release.

______Signature Date

______Printed Name Date

If the person signing is under age 21, there must be consent by a parent or guardian, as follows: I hereby certify that I am the parent or guardian of ______, named above, and do hereby give my consent without reservation to the foregoing on behalf of this person.

______Parent/Guardian Signature Date

______Parent/Guardian Printed Name Date

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES TO SCOTTSDALE AQUATIC CLUB

List of Equipment

The equipment needed for a swimmer to participate fully in each group is listed below. Our SAC equipment supplier is Ski Pro, located at 2110 E. Camelback Rd. in Phoenix (602) 955-3939 with two additional Valley locations and a website - www. skipro.com. You will also find a link to Ski Pro on the SAC website. All equipment including pull buoys, fins, and kickboards may be purchased there as well as mesh equipment bags, swim suits, team clothing, and parkas (for the winter!). Ski Pro is a sponsor of SAC and you help SAC if you patronize Ski Pro! You can also purchase SAC team caps and goggles in the SAC office from Judy Pennington.

Senior 1, 2 Mesh bag, Hans hand paddles, pull buoy, Positive Drive (PD) fins, kickboard, team cap Senior 3 Mesh bag with pull buoy, fins, hand paddles, kickboard, team cap Gold Mesh bag with pull buoy, fins, kickboard, paddles, team cap Silver Mesh bag with pull buoy, fins, kickboard, team cap Bronze Mesh bag with pull buoy, fins, kickboard, paddles, team cap White, Red, Blue Mesh bag with fins, kickboard, team cap

TEAM FEES

Team fees (monthly dues) represent the bulk of support for our program. Team fees are structured to contribute to the operating expenses of our club. The fees are structured as yearly dues divided into monthly amounts for billing purposes. Refunds are made only in case of injury that prevents a swimmer from swimming.

Families are not billed by mail for dues. Beginning October 1, 2009, dues and all other fees (e.g. swim meet entry fees) will only be payable online through the SAC team website. Until that time, checks may be left in the mailbox inside the office door or mailed to the team mailbox: Box 12021, Scottsdale, AZ 85267.

Scottsdale Aquatic Club does not want swimmers to drop out of the team because their family is unable to meet all of their team fees. Scholarship assistance is available on a limited basis and cases are considered individually by the Head Coach. Communication with the Head Coach is crucial in this matter. A Financial Aid form is available for download on the SAC website under Resources. If a family has an issue which comes up and puts them in a situation which may make their payment late, the Office Administrator (Judy Pennington) should be notified of the circumstance as soon as possible. 9

Group Monthly Fee* SAC Administrative USA Yearly Fee Per Swimmer Due Sept. 1 Registration Due Sept. 1 Senior 1 $129 $80 $58 Senior 2 $119 $80 $58 Seniors 3, 4, Gold $108 $80 $58 Silver $93 $80 $58 Bronze $93 $80 $58 Blue $77 $80 $58 Red, White $67 $80 $58

* Non-residents of Scottsdale pay an additional $7.50 surcharge per family per month

Discounts: 5% discount for 2nd swimmer, 10% discount for 3rd swimmer & 15% for 4th swimmer or family cap of $310.00 per month.

Scottsdale Team Registration Fee: There is a $80 per swimmer non-refundable team registration fee. The registration fee covers the cost of printing team handouts and meet information, end of the year swimmer awards, billing costs, postage, and relay entry fees. Fee is payable Sept. 1st.

USA Swimming Registration : To be a member of Scottsdale Aquatic Club, every swimmer must be an USA Swimming registered swimmer. This covers the swimmer with liability insurance while at practice, organized events and swim meets. The cost for USA Swimming registration is $58.00 a year at this time. A copy of the swimmer’s Birth Certificate is required for initial registration. Swimmers joining club in April can pay for a seasonal registration but will need to purchase year round registration in September.

FUNDRAISING

Each family (whether there are one or two parents) is responsible for earning a total of $250 in fundraising each year. To avoid a sum total burden, Fundraising is collected each quarter or $62.50 per quarter. Excess Fundraising Quarter totals may be carried over from quarter to quarter, but not to the next year (our year is Sept. 1st-Aug. 31st.). For example, for Fundraising, the First Quarter runs from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30th. This Quarterly Fundraising is considered part of the yearly dues and supports the daily operation of the club.

Opportunities abound for fundraising including: 1) a Mail Order scrip program 2) a grocery gift card program 3) E-scrip 4) Swim-A-Thon pledges and donations obtained outright 5) Ads and sponsorships for swim meets or club functions 10

1) With the Mail Order scrip program, once each month, (first Wednesday of each month), families may submit an order for Mail Order scrip (gift cards) through Judy Pennington in the SAC office. Depending on the percentage discount given by the vendors who participate, Fundraising Credit is given to the family account for that percentage. For example, you may purchase: - a $25 gift card for Barnes & Noble with a 9% of $25 credit ($2.25) - a $25 gift card from Cold Stone Creamery with an 8% of $25 credit ($2) - a $20 Jo-Ann Fabrics gift card with a 6% of $20 credit ($1.20) Total fundraising credit = $6.50 just for that order.

For a full list of Mail Order Scrip vendors, follow the link on the SAC website or go to www.glscrip.com as vendors sometimes change. A Mail Order Scrip form is available for download on the SAC website as well as from the SAC office at Cactus Pool. Completed forms should be turned into Judy in the SAC office with a check payable to SAC before the monthly order is mailed on the first Wednesday of the month. There is an option of placing your order from your home computer as well. Go to www.shopwithscrip.com and under “getting started”, create an account linking it to SAC with the enrollment code #3AEF853F4564. Once you have registered you can set up PrestoPay which allows you to pay for the scrip using a secure debit from your bank account. Orders can be picked up approximately a week later in the office. Note: If you regularly patronize a vendor in the scrip program (e.g. Borders or Barnes and Noble for books), with just a little planning ahead, you may purchase Mail Order Scrip gift cards and fulfill your fundraising obligation. This is particularly true at Holiday time if you purchase gift cards for family, friends, teachers, or other special people. Remember, Excess Fundraising Quarter totals can carry-over so if a family earns more than $62.50 in one Quarter, the excess will be carried over to the next Quarter as long as it is in the same Fundraising Year.

2) As an addition to the Mail Order Grocery scrip program, families can purchase Fry’s or Basha’s/AJs/Food City cards on the spot from Judy in the SAC office in $100 denominations. For example, Bashas gives a 6% credit so the purchase of a $100 Basha’s gift card results in a $6.00 credit to a family’s fundraising. Fry’s gives a 5% credit so $5.00 will be applied to a family’s fundraising. If you shop at these stores anyway, this is a convenient way to work toward your Fundraising obligation. You can re-load these cards at the grocery store using your credit card and turn your receipts for the re-load into the office for fundraising credit.

3) E-Scrip is different from Mail Order Scrip. E-Scrip is a program in which a family registers, for example, a Safeway club card or debit/charge cards at www.escrip.com and a monthly percentage is given to SAC based on purchases at the various vendors tied to the program . There are a multitude of these vendors also so please log on to the website www.escrip.com for a list. For example, if you register your Safeway club card with escrip with SAC as the group (#11775617), your purchases will be automatically tracked and Safeway will make a monthly contribution to the team. Contribution percentages vary on the amount spent and it takes approximately 75 days from the end of each month for your contribution for that month to be reported. There are 11 other vendors such as Macy’s, Land’s End, and Best Buy. Once again, if you plan to shop online from these vendors, you can work toward your fundraising obligation and benefit SAC at the same time.

4) An important part of SAC Fundraising is the Swim-A-Thon that we host yearly in the late Fall . The Swim-A-Thon involves the entire team, from the Senior 1 Group through the White Group. In the weeks prior to the actual day, SAC swimmers gather pledges for each lap they will swim on the Swim-A-Thon day. Groups compete against each other for Totals and there are prizes given to individual swimmers in different categories who are the most successful in their pledges. Donations can be gathered from family, friends, businesses, or other sponsors with Fundraising credit is given. The Swim-A-Thon is a great team effort and the day is filled with friendship and fun.

5) Outright donations as well as advertisements and sponsorships for other swim meets such as the nationally known Cactus Classic which SAC hosts annually in late May or other meets throughout the swim season will also count as Dollar for Dollar for fundraising obligations.

Important * Families joining part way through the quarter have their fundraising prorated to their start date. Scottsdale Aquatic Club is a non-profit 501©3 corporation, dependent on contributions and fundraising to provide activities for our membership. Your participation in the fundraising program is necessary for our club to work. If you do not wish to participate, you will be billed at the end of each quarter for the balance. Each family is asked to sign a form upon joining the club that acknowledges this Fundraising obligation and the form is kept on file in the SAC office.

Brief Summary of Fundraising Options Expained Above Description Percent Where/When Monthly Mail-order Scrip 1.5 to 20% SAC Office 1st week of each Month (Merchants listed on SAC website or www.glscrip.com) Fry’s Grocery Scrip 5% SAC Office weekday afternoons Basha’s/AJ’s Grocery Scrip 6% SAC Office weekday afternoons escrip.com Varies by vendor On going (vendors including Safeway) Swim-A-Thon Annual event Other Meet Sponsorships Dollar for Dollar SAC Office Donations Dollar for Dollar SAC Office 12

PARENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The success of SAC is dependent on the participation of all parents. We host several meets each year as well as social events, all of which necessitate many hours of volunteer work. We have a Parent Volunteer Program requiring parents to take an active role in their child’s swimming which means each family will be responsible for donating time to the operation of our swim club. WE NEED YOU TO VOLUNTEER! In the past, the Parent Volunteer system was based on earning a certain number of points each year. Different point values were assigned to different positions worked. We have redesigned the system this year, targeting a clear Volunteer goal in HOURS. This new system also allows for volunteer hours to be tracked on our website software and hopefully will allow parents to better track their own volunteer hours so there is not a rush at the end of the year. As with any change, we ask for your understanding and help in this new process.

SAC has two levels of required participation based on the practice group of your swimmer. If you have more than one swimmer on the team then the Parent Volunteer requirement is based on the swimmer who is in the group with the higher hour requirement:

 Bronze, Silver, Gold, Senior Groups 30 hours per family  Red, White, or Blue Groups 20 hours per family  Single parent families ½ the above based on swimmers’ group

The Parent Volunteer Program year runs from Sept. 1 to August 31 and the billing rate is $33 per hour for any time “owed” to the team as of August 31. However, if you fulfill the hours requirement then no additional dollars are “owed” to the team. Also, excess hours are not carried over to the following year. Volunteer hours are earned via jobs for helping with club operations, club support, and swim meet operations. For swim meet operations, hours credited are for home meets only. Parents are expected to help with timing, officiating, and general swim meet operations at home meets.

In addition, for some away venues, participating teams are obligated to provide timers for one lane. In those situations, parents who volunteer will not receive credit hours toward their SAC obligation but volunteering is a great opportunity to share the experience of a swim meet with your child and helping out at a swim meet is a great way for parents to develop friendships and meet other swim families. Furthermore, parents may need to volunteer at home meets in which their child is not competing in order to fulfill their obligation. We are a team and we all need to work together to provide opportunities for all the swimmers. Job opportunities to earn hours are advertised in our weekly update on the SAC website and sign-ups are only through the website.

Specifically, there are two ways to earn your Parent Volunteer hours. The first is to sign up for jobs that are necessary to run a swim meet. Job opportunities for home swim meets are advertised on the team website prior to the beginning of each 13 meet. A description of these jobs is provided below by clicking on the link. Every volunteer job that involves running a swim meet is accompanied by a time hour credit. Time credits for swim meet jobs vary according to the size and duration of the level of swim meet. When you log into the website and click on the event/meet in which you are interested, the job opportunities will be listed for the meet as well as the time hour credit.

For example, the time credits for Splash Meets which are intra-squad, short in duration, and require a smaller number of volunteers will be less than the time credits for the Cactus Classic which is SAC’s premier Memorial Day Meet that runs over 4 days, is attended by numerous teams, and requires a multitude of volunteers. If a meet runs ± 30 minutes shorter or longer than the posted hour credit, credit will still be for the posted period. Should a meet run excessively long, then a larger adjustment will be made at that time. Check the website for specifics at the time of the meet.

SAC attempts to predict the duration of each swim session based on past experiences. Therefore, the hours posted on the website for the jobs should reflect the actual time that will be necessary for volunteering. Note: Parents will not receive a time credit for timing their child in a distance event longer than 400 Meters since those events require a swimmer to provide their own timer and lap counter.

The second way to earn Parent Volunteer hours is to sign up for jobs contributing to club operations and support. Many of the positions require a year-long commitment or are time intensive. These positions include Swim-A-Thon Chairperson, Hospitality Coordinator, Concessions Coordinator, Swimmer 6 Coordinator, and Spring Banquet Chairperson as well as other positions. If you sign up for one of the year-long, annual positions, it is very likely that you will meet your volunteer requirements. Other positions that support these main positions are also credited at an hourly rate. For example, a Banquet Assistant is credited at an hourly rate as are Special Events volunteers, Swim-a-thon volunteers, the team bookkeeper, etc. These positions and their descriptions will be posted on the website soon but if you have an interest now in any of the ones mentioned above, please email Judy in the SAC office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of the Board members (email addresses on the website) or Judy in the SAC Office. As noted above, the success of SAC is dependent on the participation of all parents. We really need parents’ time and efforts. We do not want people to “owe” time at the end of August when there are so many opportunities for everyone to benefit from parental involvement. WE NEED YOU TO VOLUNTEER!

Swim Meet Job Descriptions 14

Parent Volunteer Hours Chart 2009-2010

Club Support and Club Operations Job Descriptions

WEBSITE USAGE

Once you turn in your paperwork and we have your email address, you will be emailed a password to sign into our website (www.teamunify/assac/). You will then be able to view calendars, sign up for meets, sign up to help at events, and track your swimmers meet times. The billing system in the website is not yet active so you must currently pay all fees by check or cash or sign up for automatic debit. The billing system will become active on October 1, 2009. After that date, the only way to pay monthly, quarterly, yearly, and meet fees will be online.

Communication in our swim program is vital. In addition to the website, each swimmer is assigned a file folder in their group box located by the SAC office. Occasional handouts and earned meet awards are placed into the swimmer’s folder. Swimmers should check their folders weekly. Our chief method of communication is email and the website. Weekly updates, meet flyers, meeting notices, equipment order forms, etc. are all available electronically on the SAC website so it is vital we have accurate email addresses. The website is the best way to keep up-to-date on team handouts and activities. 15

STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING FOR SAC FUNDRAISING AND PARENT VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION

I have read and understand the Fundraising and Parent Participation Policies of the Scottsdale Aquatic Club. I agree to meet the Quarterly Fundraising commitment and the Annual Parent Volunteer Participation commitment. I understand that I am responsible for payment of any balance on my Fundraising Account at the end of each Quarter and for any balance on my Parent Volunteer Participation Account at the August 31st year end.

______Signature Date

______Printed Name Date 16

SCOTTSDALE AQUATIC CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY: EXPECTATION AND PLEDGE FOR SWIMMERS AND COACHES

Section 1: Purpose

The purpose of this policy: a) To facilitate a club environment that is supportive of coaches, swimmers, and families. b) To outline behavioral expectations from coaches of Scottsdale Aquatic Club, to inform coaches of prohibited acts and inappropriate conduct c) To provide coaches with support for issues of disciplinary action regarding swimmers and /or families by providing a clear and consiste6nt method for dealing with behavioral issues relating to coaches, swimmers, and/or families. d) To provide coaches with and inform them of a complaint procedure that will allow the club (1)to promptly and thoroughly investigate alleged acts of inappropriate conduct or behavior; (2)to take appropriate discipline action, based on the investigation; and(3) to engage in preventative or corrective measures.

Section 2: Scottsdale Aquatic Club Behavioral Expectations

The Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Aquatic Club strives to create an environment that facilitates the optimum development of each child as a swimmer and as a person. Such environment will support coaches in this effort as well as define lines of accountability for coaches, swimmers, and families. In order to create this environment, the following behaviors are expected of all within the community: a) RESPECT: Each member of the SAC community deserves respect: coaches, swimmers and parents. b) RESPECT: SAC utilizes City of Scottsdale facilities and as such all grounds and facilities are to be taken care of, including but not limited to picking up trash, and appropriate locker room behavior. Respecting the facility of another club is likewise expected as SAC participates in meets away from the home pool. c) PROMPTNESS: Coaches and swimmers will arrive on deck on time and with all necessary gear. d) TEAMWORK: All coaches, swimmers and parents will support each other through words and actions. During meets and other travel, coaches and swimmers will dress appropriately and show team spirit. e) SPORTMANSHIP: All swimmers, parents, and coaches will demonstrate good sportsmanship during meets and practices whether winning or losing. f) UNDERSTANDING: Coaches will understand stages of child development and interact with each age group accordingly. 17

Section 3: Definition of Inappropriate and/or Unacceptable behavior

This section of the policy reflects Scottsdale Aquatic Club’s commitment to the establishment of mutually beneficial environment for the coaches, swimmers, and families along with the City of Scottsdale’s values statement, particularly that of “Respect of the Individual.” While none of behaviors listed below are unlawful, they are considered inappropriate for optimal club functioning and swimmer development. Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct:

1) Gossiping about, using profanity toward, demeaning or defaming another person, or otherwise acting in a manner that could negatively impact the self-esteem of coach, swimmer, or parent. All communication will be open even if private. For example, disciplinary actions and conversations between coaches and swimmer will include a third party. Statements such as “don’t tell your parents” will not be permitted. 2) Engaging in negative humor or bantering that may intimidate, offend or demean another person. 3) Using profanity on deck 4) Swimmers will not use any substances identified as banned by USA Swimming. The use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drug is likewise prohibited for all swimmers. Parents and coaches may not use the substances while acting in an official capacity for the club, i.e. chaperone or driver 5) Use of SAC club roster and /or other sensitive information to promote an individual’s business or other interests.

Section 4: Compliant and Conflict resolution procedures

If a conflict arises between individuals, the first step to resolving the conflict is for the individual to take the concern directly to the other person, whether a coach and a swimmer, a coach and a parent, or a swimmer and a swimmer. Respectfully discuss the concern and attempt to resolve. If this does not resolve the conflict, present the conflict to the next level of club management, i.e. head age group coach, head coach, and then the Board of Directors.

If disciplinary action is necessary the following steps will be initiated:

Step 1: A. Identify the problem or infraction by determining the effect of the behavior. Infractions may be in regard to the safety of swimmers and/or staff, the preservation of property, or be in regard to behavioral issues (i.e. failure to follow program or facility rules, disruptive behavior, and other contrary to the stated behavioral expectations.) Document the incident. 18

B. Educate and attempt to change the behavior. Emphasis will be placed on educating the individual by informing all persons involved of the rules and behavior expectations related to the situation, as well as expectations for changing behavior. Verbally remind the individual of the code of conduct and request compliance. Document the encounter.

C. If the behavior continues, behavioral counseling will occur with verbal agreement regarding expected behavioral changes. Document the encounter. If the behavioral infractions jeopardize the safety of swimmers, an immediate disciplinary action will occur, such as removal from the pool (the coach will be responsible or this decision for swimmer infractions, and the BOD for coach infractions.)

Coaches will have a third party present in the event a disciplinary meeting is required. Any anticipated meeting with a swimmer(s) to resolve a conflict should also warrant a third party being present. Another coach may act as a third party for an initial encounter to point out expected behaviors. Formal behavioral counseling should involve the parent(s) of the swimmer. All coach/swimmer interactions will be in an open environment and/or with a third party present. Document the incident and educational counseling.

Step 2: All attempts will have been made to educate the individual(s) and request for their compliance. However, interventions may take place when the repeated negative behavior is disruptive and is impacting the safety and positive experiences of swimmers or coaches. The following actions(s) will be taken:

1) The person committing the infraction will be suspended from club participation. 2) A meeting with all involved parties will take place. For coaches, this will include their direct supervisor, the Head Coach, and the Board of Directors, For swimmers, this will include the swimmer, their parents(s), their coach and the Head Coach, and if deemed necessary, a member of the Board of Directors. For the Head Coach, this will include the Board of Directors. 3) A behavioral contract will be used to identify the violations or behavioral problems, as well as the required changes in the individual(s) behaviors. This will include a timeline and agreed upon terms of re-instatement for club participation.

Step 3: If behavioral concerns continue and/or reoccur following suspension and re-instatement, the following steps will occur: 1) A meeting will occur between all involved parties. The Board of Directors will participate in any such meetings. 2) The disciplinary actions will be reviewed and agreed upon by all members present. 3) The individual will be terminated for participation at Scottsdale Aquatic Club. 19

CODE OF CONDUCT SIGNATURE:

By signing below, I/we agree to abide by the above Code of Conduct for the Scottsdale Aquatic Club.

SWIMMER 1: ______

SWIMMER 2: ______

SWIMMER 3: ______

SWIMMER 4: ______

SWIMMER 5: ______

PARENT: ______

COACH/EMPLOYEE:______