CVST Adopts Two New SafeSport Policies: Bullying & Electronic Communication

CVST Adopts Two New SafeSport Policies:  Bullying & Electronic Communication
 
CVST Athletes, Coaches, Volunteers & Parents,
 
Last month, the USA Swimming House of Delegates approved legislation enhancing existing safeguards for the Safe Sport Program. Two of these pieces, Articles 305.3.6 and 305.3.7, require clubs to implement (1) an action plan to address bullying and (2) a policy guiding electronic communication between adults and athletes, respectively.
As part of this legislation, the House of Delegates approved a deadline for implementation of these policies of 90 days after USA Swimming’s models are published. Based onthat date,  CVST is required to adopt policies to satisfy Article 305.3.6 and 305.3.7 by Monday, January 14, 2013. 
 
Bullying
In the two years since the Safe Sport program was created, USA Swimming has had frequent reports of bullying between athletes at clubs. At the 2011 USAS Convention, the House of Delegates passed Article 304.3.6, prohibiting the bullying of any member by any other member. As USA Swimming has handled bullying complaints in the past year since the rule has been in place, they have learned the best intervention for bullying between athletes happens immediately and directly by an adult known and trusted by the athletes involved. USA Swimming has also learned that the best way to combat bullying at your club is to have a clear policy against bullying and an established plan for how to handle bullying if it does occur.
 
The attached plan which CVST is adopting, is a comprehensive approach to assist the coaches and parents to address bullying when it occurs at CVST and do so in a compassionate and responsible way with the intent of preventing it from reoccurring in the future.  As October is National Bullying Prevention Month, USA Swimming has encouraged us to take a stand against bullying now!
 
Click Here   for CVST's Bullying Policy.
 
Electronic Communication
USA Swimming and CVST recognizes the prevalence of email, texting, and social media in today’s world and that many of us use these as our primary method of communication. It is important to recognize that while such technology has a wealth of positive benefits; it also provides a new mechanism for an adult with bad intentions to achieve privacy with an athlete. It best protects athletes and adults when a club has a clear policy and expectations about using electronic
communication between adults and athletes.
 
The attached Electronic Communication Model Policy makes it clear to all Coaches, CVST Team Members, Volunteers and Parents how electronic communications should be used.
 
Click Here   for CVST's Electronic Communication Policy.
 
If you have questions on this feel free to contact me at Jim@CVST.org , or if you have questions on any component of the Safe Sport Program, contact us at athleteprotection@usaswimming.org .
 
Thank you for your commitment to keeping our kids safe!

Jim Kelly
CVST Head Coach