Carolina Yacht Club

Code of Conduct for Parents

The mission of the Carolina Yacht Club Youth Program is to develop knowledgeable youth sailors while instilling in them a love for the sport of sailing that will serve as a foundation for the future of our club and our sport.

Further, the Youth Program strives to:

• Interest and lead sailors  in developing safe sailing skills
• Promote maximum sailor  attendance at all activities and regattas.
• Conduct and further develop our year round program.
• Develop and support programs to encourage older sailors to continue in sport of sailing
• Modernize and improve our fleet of boats
• Develop curriculum that promotes self-esteem, camaraderie, and sportsmanship both on and off the water
• Develop parental involvement that will support the various fleets and activities of the Youth Program.

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Carolina Yacht Club strives to be among the premier Junior Sailing Programs in the nation. In order to achieve this goal, all program participants (junior sailors, coaches/instructors, program managers, parents and other adults) must understand and work to implement the Mission Statement. CYC expects all program participants to conduct themselves appropriately at all times and to follow the following Code of Conduct:

Respect For Others – I will respect the rights, dignity and self worth of every individual.

Role Model – I will be mindful that parents are role models. I will strive to demonstrate the highest standard of ethical conduct (e.g., be fair, considerate and honest). I will act in a way that projects a positive image. I recognize and will reinforce that all junior sailors deserve equal attention and opportunities. I will not attempt to influence the coaching staff or program administrators into affording my child special consideration.

Personal Conduct – I will actively work to help my child achieve his or her full potential. I will allow the coaches to coach, and I will parent. I trust that the coaches/instructors have my child’s best long‐term interest at heart, and I will willingly support their decisions and direction. I will emphasize performance goals and good sportsmanship rather than outcome goals. I will refrain from criticizing participants, coaches, officials, administrators, spectators and other parents. If I do see an issue I will set up a time to discuss the issue with the club or program manager as soon as possible.  I will maintain high standards in my language and manner, and will display courtesy and respect for others. I will respect the program’s need for punctuality by having my child on site, on time, with all required equipment. I will give appropriate attention to any material the staff sends, and will provide timely and appropriate response.

Good Sportsmanship/Corinthian Spirit – I will continually strive to demonstrate and promote good sportsmanship, both on and off the water. I will place winning in the context of good sportsmanship and fair play. (Remember Paul Elvstrom’s quote: "You haven't won the race, if in winning the race you have lost the respect of your competitors.”

Possession And/Or Use Of Any Illegal Substance Including, But Not Limited To, Drugs And Alcohol – Every program participant must understand that the ability to operate without mental or physical impairment underpins the safety and surety of our program, both on and off the water. I will not allow my child to smoke, drink or possess/use illegal drugs. I will not justify illegal conduct by offering that “I did it when I was their age.”

Prescribed Medications – Program participants must understand that the ability to operate without mental or physical impairment underpins the safety and surety of our program, both on and off the water. I will not allow my child to to participate in sailing activities when under prescribed medications that could alter their decision making abilities.  If my child is on prescribed medication that could interfere with their decision making while attending sailing sessions, I will immediately notify the Waterfront Director in writing.

Safety – Safety underpins everything we do. As such, it must be viewed as a philosophy, and NOT simply items on a checklist. Sailing and racing are inherently risky activities, and all coaches/instructors will actively manage risk when working with our youngest sailors and will help our older sailors understand appropriate risk management strategies to ensure that the training and/or competitive environment is safe. As a parent I will reinforce this philosophy with my child, and I will encourage my sailor to communicate with the coach/instructor if my child or I feel my child is not ready to participate fully in the planned activity (i.e., physically healthy enough and rested to ensure its successful outcome).

Power Boats- Parents are not able to use CYC owned motor boats unless special permission is given by the Waterfront Director.   Special permission will only be considered in extreme and rare circumstances.

Parent Chaperone- If any parent is to be a ‘designated’ chaperone (responsible for supervising sailors and carrying out the necessary details to provide a safe trip from the time of departure to the time of return) they must complete a Safesport certification and file the certification with the GM or Waterfront Director before departure. For the protection of both the sailor and chaperone, chaperones should not place themselves in situations in which they are alone with a sailor.

Disciplinary Action- Any violation of the code of conduct will result in the incident being brought to the attention of the General Manager and CYC Board of Governors who will ultimately decide on severity of consequences. This may include removal of a parent and/or parents’ child from the program and/or suspension, expulsion or dismissal from CYC.

I, _________________________________________ have read and understand the CYC Mission Statement and I agree to abide by the Code of Conduct for Parents. I recognize that participation in the CYC Junior Program is a privilege, and not a right. I understand that if I do not abide by and promote the Code of Conduct I may be temporarily or permanently suspended from CYC’s Junior Program.

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Signature of Parent 1 or Legal Guardian 1                                 Date

I, _________________________________________ have read and understand the CYC Mission Statement and I agree to abide by the Code of Conduct for Parents. I recognize that participation in the CYC Junior Program is a privilege, and not a right. I understand that if I do not abide by and promote the Code of Conduct I may be temporarily or permanently suspended from CYC’s Junior Program.

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Signature of Parent 2 or Legal Guardian 2                               Date