Regulations and guidelines for the conduct of CJRC rowers/coxswains, parents/guardians, and coaches.

CJRC Team Culture – The culture of Cooper Junior Rowing Club is built around the team motto of Amor, Fide, Labore (Love, Trust, Hard Work). When the team acts and works with Love, Trust and Hard Work, both the individual rower and team excel together. When these core values are not prioritized, the team suffers, and the individual rower does not advance.

 

EXPECTATIONS FOR ROWERS:

Attendance expectations:

It is expected that athletes will attend every practice as set by the Program Director. Varsity athletes are expected not to be involved in other extracurricular activities that directly interfere with their commitment to CJRC, including but not limited to employment, clubs, or other sport teams. If your athlete has a special circumstance to be considered, please contact the Board Presidents as soon as possible!

Each athlete’s circumstances concerning absenteeism will be evaluated by the Program Director. While excused absences are allowed, rowing is unique in its demand for near-perfect attendance. Unexcused or excessive absences at levels decided by the Board may lead to dismissal from the program with no refunds given. Any and all decisions regarding an athlete's participation in the program and regattas are at the discretion of the Program Director and enforced by the Board.

• Athletes must give written notice if they are going to miss a practice:
  • WINTER/SPRING 2025/26: Athletes must report their absence on the Google form shared by the Program Director, and a parent/guardian must email their child's absence to cjrcattendance@gmail.com
• It is absolutely understood that illness happens. Please advise the Program Director as soon as possible of any illness, in written form; follow above absence reporting protocol.
• CJRC asks that scheduled appointments be made for Mondays.
• Practice is mandatory during your athlete's school Spring Break; NO UNEXCUSED ABSENCES allowed — this includes both school travel and personal travel. All decisions regarding your athlete's future participation in the program including regattas are at the discretion of the Program Director and enforced by the Board.
• College visits are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED during CJRC's Winter/Spring season, however we understand that there are special circumstances! If your athlete is offered a college-sponsored Official Visit, they must provide advanced notice in writing; follow above absence reporting protocol.

Excused absences may include but are not limited to the following, and a doctor's note may be requested if applicable: 

1) illness/injury such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a bacterial infection or contagious virus;

2) wedding/funerals;

3) college visits/orientations;

4) graded school events. Education is one of CJRC's priorities, however, proof of graded activities may be requested.

Examples of unexcused absences include but are not limited to: 

1) oversleeping;

2) parties/concerts/other entertainment activities;

3) practices/games/activities for other sports/clubs, schoolwork;

4) minor illness/injury (discussion with Program Director required);

5) vacations (see section above regarding Spring Break)

6) multiple tardies, early departures, or absences not requested in advance.

**Phone calls/text messages the day of practice, while expected as a courtesy, will not necessarily excuse an absence or a tardy.

Please note:

• Practices are for learning and developing skills for rowing and coxing.
• Respect for each teammate, coach, Board member, volunteer, other teams within the Boathouse, staff of the Boathouse/indoor training facility, and any guests is crucial. The Boathouse is a venue to the public and hosts events with hundreds of people watching our practices. We are all representing CJRC.
• No cursing, yelling, or using any derogatory language.
• Respect the buildings. No littering; place items back where you found them; keep the bathroom clean; do not damage property.
• Athletes and/or their legal guardian will be held responsible for damages/theft of items at practice sites, including but not limited to, replacements costs, legal fees, or any associated fees incurred because of damages or theft.
• Athletes are not allowed to leave the practice site without permission during practice time.

Attendance at Regattas/Travel:

• Respect for other hotel guests by minimizing excessive noise/rowdiness should always be practiced.
• Athletes and/or their legal guardian will be held responsible for damages/theft of items at regattas and/or hotels, including but not limited to, replacements costs, legal fees, or any associated fees incurred because of damages or theft.
• Athletes are not allowed to leave the regatta site or hotel without permission.

Equipment Policy:

• CJRC strives to ensure the supply of the best equipment possible. This equipment for rowing is expensive and, in some cases, irreplaceable.
• When in doubt, ask a coach how to properly care for a piece of equipment.
• Purposeful damage to equipment will result in immediate disciplinary action.

Attire:

During practices, regattas, or any time that an athlete is representing CJRC, appropriate attire is required. Guidelines will be set by the Program Director and enforced by coaches.

 

EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

• Questions/concerns regarding the operation of CJRC must be first communicated to the Board Presidents at mrc.coopercommodores@gmail.com
• Parents are asked to understand and support the position that athletes are expected to communicate directly with their coaches about any concerns or questions they have. Honest and open communication is vital to an athlete’s development. It also allows coaches to quickly address problems that may arise. Parents are asked to reinforce this behavior.
• Parents are expected to assist their child in successfully following the Code of Conduct.
• Parents must conduct themselves in a decent and civil manner when communicating with coaches, Board Presidents, other Board members, athletes, other teams, and other CJRC families.
• A parent(s)’ willful disregard of these guidelines, or exhibiting behavior at CJRC events/activities that is considered beyond the accepted bounds of decency and civility, may result in their child’s dismissal from the team with no refunds given. Any and all decisions are at the discretion of the Program Director and enforced by the Board.

 

EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL: Athletes, parents/guardians, coaches

Social Media:

All athletes, coaches, parents/guardians are to adhere to the

following standards:

• No one will participate in or establish any form of social communication that could exclude, limit, or otherwise impact that ability of CJRC to communicate with complete transparency.
• No use of derogatory or explicit language in any posts, comments or emails is acceptable.
• No one will participate in the exchange or distribution of explicit photos or images of themselves or CJRC teammates at any time in a social or online environment.
• Inappropriate actions involving electronic communications may result in immediate disciplinary action.

Alcohol and Drug Policy:

• Use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, alcohol or tobacco is strictly prohibited within and/or outside of any CJRC practice facility, regatta, or CJRC-affiliated events. Alcohol or tobacco may be authorized at specified adult events.
• Use of performance enhancing drugs is strictly prohibited.
• Failure to adhere to the above policies will result in immediate disciplinary action.

Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing:

Bullying, harassment, and hazing (collectively referred to in the Code of Conduct as “bullying”) by athletes, coaches, or parents/guardians is

strictly prohibited. Bullying is defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of an individual, with the

intention to cause personal degradation or humiliation, or that damages or may damage, destroy, or remove public or private property for the purpose of initiation in, admission to, or as a condition of continued membership in CJRC, a specific boat, or a squad. Individuals involved in any form of bullying will be held accountable for their actions and will be subject to immediate disciplinary action.

Bullying activities include but are not limited to the following:

• Any form of defamation or hate speech against someone’s religion, race, ethnicity, and/or gender identity.
• Physical punishment, contact, exercise, or sleep deprivation that causes excessive fatigue and/or physical or psychological shock.
• Forced or coerced consumption of food, drink, alcohol, tobacco, and/or illegal drugs.
• Forced or coerced transportation of individuals.
• Public humiliation, ridicule, or indecent exposure of any kind.
• Coercing or forcing illegal acts of any kind.
• Coercing or forcing acts that are immoral or unethical.
• Blocking an individual’s academic, athletic, or personal success.
• Interfering with an individual’s health.
• Personal servitude.
• Mental harassment.
• Sexual harassment.
• Using electronic media (including but not limited to texting, social media, the internet, and the athlete group chats) to harass, denigrate, or otherwise comment negatively on an individual, a group of individuals, or a class of individuals.
• Deception.
• An act of, or threat of, social exclusion.
• Conduct that is deliberately detrimental to team morale or cohesiveness.
• Soliciting, encouraging, directing, aiding, or attempting to aid another person in bullying activities.
• Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permitting bullying to occur.
• Having first-hand knowledge of the planning or execution of an incident or event of bullying, and failing to report the incident or event to the CJRC Board Presidents.

Open Communication:

Athletes are encouraged to advocate for themselves, whether it's an issue related to their performance, or boat placement.

• The first avenue of communication should be between the athlete and coach, preferably just prior to or just after a practice.
• Have your athlete also reach out to the Program Director, especially if they need guidance or help connecting with another coach.
• If you or your athlete feels that this does not satisfy concerns or questions, the parent and/or athlete should then contact the Board Presidents. Parents should not contact coaches directly themselves without a confidential conversation with the Board Presidents first.

Reporting Protocol for Code of Conduct:

Any athlete, coach, or parent/guardian may file a grievance or report any violations of the CJRC Code of Conduct through the process stated below:

The rights of the individual reporting a violation must be respected. All information shall be kept confidential to the extent reasonably possible to handle the issue in question. If witnesses are to be interviewed, they will be informed of the confidential nature of the issue and instructed not to discuss the matter with others. Such discussion would also be considered a breach of the CJRC Code of Conduct.

Grievance Protocol:

1. First, if applicable, have your athlete confidentially discuss the issue with the Program Director.
2. The Program Director may choose to resolve the issue directly, work with another coach to resolve the issue, or raise the issue to the next level of action. Any alleged action involving the above violations of Alcohol, Drugs, Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing must be escalated to the CJRC Board of Directors.
3. If necessary and when applicable, contact the Board Presidents – the Board is the highest level of review for any infractions of the CJRC Code of Conduct, or grievances that cannot be resolved through direct contact between your athlete and the Program Director. The Board, working with the Program Director when appropriate, may ask for additional information and interview athletes, parents/guardians, or any CJRC staff members in trying to resolve the issue.

Disciplinary Actions:

Athletes and associated members of CJRC who fail to adhere to the Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary actions. Depending on the severity of the violation, disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to:

• A verbal or written warning of the offense.
• Temporary suspension from CJRC, including but not limited to loss of eligibility to participate in practices and/or regattas without refund for costs incurred.
• Dismissal from the team without refund.
• Reporting to school, local, state, or federal authorities when appropriate.

 

Athlete/Parent Acknowledgement:

I have carefully read the CJRC Code of Conduct and agree to act in a manner consistent with its policies and requirements.

Print CJRC Athlete's Name:

Athlete Signature, Date:

Parent/Guardian Signature, Date: