US Skimo - Code of Conduct

The Mission of USA Skimo is to promote and grow the sport of ski mountaineering racing in the United States. USA Skimo sanctions and governs competitive ski mountaineering racing in the US and promotes and fosters recreational ski mountaineering through access, resources, education and community.  It also endeavors to enable United States athletes to achieve competitive excellence in the sport of ski mountaineering.

USA Skimo grants the privilege of membership to individuals and groups committed to the same mission. The privilege of membership may, therefore, be withdrawn or denied by USA Skimo at any time when determined that a member’s conduct is inconsistent with the mission of the organization or the best interest of the sport and those who participate.

All members pledge to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

• Abide by all USA Skimo rules, selection procedures and safety guidelines.
• As an ambassador, exhibit the highest standards of fairness, discipline, ethical behavior and genuine sportsmanship by mutually respecting and bringing honor to USA Skimo, the United States and the Olympic Movement.
• Respect teammates, athletes, coaches, officials, spectators, volunteers, USADA representatives, sponsors and staff of USA Skimo without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, civil status, veteran status, marital status, language, social condition, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, or gender.
• Will not use offensive language/gestures or non-consensual physical contact as a response to the referees/jury/officials decision as an expression of frustration and/or self-admonishment.
• Will not engage in any form of discriminatory, verbal, physical or sexual harassment/abuse, fraud, stealing, deception or dishonesty related to USA Skimo events or activities.
• Will not disrespect, intimidate or embarrass other members, teammates, athletes, coaches, officials, spectators, sponsors, volunteers, Board of Directors, Committee members, Athlete Advisory Council Representatives, USADA and/or USA Skimo staff in person, electronically, and/or through social networking venues (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, blogs or websites, etc.).
• Will not participate in any non-consensual sexual contact or advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards any member by a coach, official, athletic trainer or other person who is in a position of authority.
• Will respect and not cause damage to private or public property of others while at an event sanctioned by USA Skimo or at a designated USA Skimo facility.
• Will not use, sell, or distribute any substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of banned substances.
• Will not knowingly misrepresent competitive achievements, professional qualifications, education, experience, eligibility, criminal record or affiliations of one self or another member.
• Will not misrepresent the nature or extent of an injury in order to decline an invitation to participate in or withdraw from a competition, training camp or other similar activity.
• Will not use illegal drugs in the presence of teammates, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators, sponsors and staff of USA Skimo and/or at any USA Skimo event or activity.
• Will not commit a doping violation as defined by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) or the International Ski Mountaineering Association (ISMF).
• Subject to the International Olympic Committee Code of Ethics at applicable events

Failure to comply with any of the above provisions may lead to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include:

• Removal from the USNT, USNT team trips, competitions or training camps.
• Suspension from competition.
• Elimination of National Team privileges as stated in the USA Skimo National Team Agreement.
• Forfeiture of USA Skimo membership.

USA Skimo is committed to principles of fairness, due process and equal opportunity. Members are entitled to be treated fairly and in compliance with USA Skimo’s Bylaws, policies and procedures. Members are entitled to notice and an opportunity for a hearing before being prevented from participating in protected competition as that term is defined by the USA Skimo Bylaws. Information on the processes for grievances, suspensions and appeals is available at USA Skimo.org.

If a USA Skimo member receives a disciplinary penalty or otherwise has a grievance related to this Code of Conduct, the member has the right to file a written request with the Board of Directors and CEO of USA Skimo within thirty (30) day of the action giving rise to the members claimed grievance, to seek a review of the action in question pursuant to USA Skimo Bylaws and Grievance Procedures.

USA Skimo National Team Code of Ethics for International Racing:

The USA Skimo National Team and Staff are bound by this code of ethics. This details the ethical principles of USA Skimo, based on the core values and the standards to which the members shall be held. The Code is applicable to the following persons:  

USA Skimo National Team Staff

USA Skimo National Team Members

Each of the above persons being referred to hereinafter shall be to as a ‘Party’.  

Principals

Each Party must, both in the carrying out of its duties at any international races as well as on a day-to-day basis, comply with the principles of:  

• Human dignity
• Nondiscrimination, for whatever reason: race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, philosophical and political opinions, marital status or any other
• Nonviolence, including abstaining from any kind of pressure and harassment, whether physical, mental, professional or sexual
• Friendship, mutual aid and fair-play
• Integrity
• Priority to the interests of National Team Goals in relation to personal interests
• Protection of the environment
• Political neutrality
• All parties shall, on all occasions and to the best of their ability, serve the interests of ski mountaineering racing and USA Skimo. They shall be aware of their task and their personal responsibility and take all necessary action to carry it out. They shall refrain from any behavior that may jeopardize racing or the reputation of the USA Skimo or the ISMF.