Policy Statement. The Eastview Athletic Association (EVAA) strives for fun and rewarding athletic activities for its entire community. EVAA expects all participants—members, players, coaches, officials, referees, parents, other volunteers, spectators, and any other individuals—to act with courtesy and good conduct with respect to all other participants in accordance with the EVAA Code of Conduct (Click tab above) and any other applicable requirements or standards. EVAA will not tolerate any lack of conduct or sportsmanship by any participant. EVAA maintains a process for addressing complaints, disputes, or other matters to ensure appropriate and prompt resolution. In order to promote fair and efficient resolution, EVAA further expects that all parties, at all times, pursue civil and reasonable conversations and actions and that they avoid unnecessary or inflammatory language, conduct, or confrontation, any of which could create new potential concerns beyond the underlying grievance. Please note that it is expected that any report or complaint be made in good faith; bad faith or malicious reports will not be tolerated.

Tier 3 – Substantial Misconduct.

• Scope – allegations, reports, or concerns of any kind of suspected or actual abuse or violent behavior by any individual, including, but not limited to:
  • Abuse or harassment of any kind, including, but not limited to, sexual (contact, harassment, grooming), physical emotional, and/or social
  • Violence, intimidation, or aggression, whether threatened, attempted, or completed (includes possession and display of weapons in a manner that violates applicable laws)
• Reporting – by law, suspected or actual abuse or violent behavior must be reported to EVAA and law enforcement within 24 hours, providing sufficient detail (date, location, names) and contact information to allow for follow-up. Individuals that are the subject of these complaints will be automatically suspended from any further EVAA participation. Please use the EVAA Online Complaint Form to report to EVAA; relevant law enforcement agencies can be identified using the www.childwelfare.gov website.
• Resolution – per the EVAA Board Investigation Process.

 

Tier 2 – Other Misconduct.

• Scope – other misconduct by any individual, including, but not limited to:
  • Foul or unacceptable language or gestures, whether belittling, derogatory, or otherwise
  • Any form of taunting, bullying, or derision that is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule, or demean others under any circumstances, including on the basis of race, religion, age, national origin, disability, sex (including gender, orientation, identity), or otherwise
  • Interfering with, disrupting, or similarly entering the field of play or other activity
  • Willful or repeated failure to follow the directions of a designated official, whether a referee, tournament or facility official, or coach during an athletic event
  • Any form of intoxication at an athletic event, including illegal use or possession of illegal substances
• Reporting – such misconduct must be reported to EVAA within 24 hours, providing sufficient detail (date, location, names) and contact information to allow for follow-up. Please use the EVAA Online Complaint Form to report to EVAA.
• Resolution – per the EVAA Board Investigation Process.

 

Tier 1 – General Complaints.

• Scope – all other matters not covered by the above (examples include, but are not limited to, general team interactions, playing time, favoritism/fairness, etc.)
• Reporting
  • Cooling Off – unless necessary to prevent injury, harm, or violation of law, these matters should allow for a 24-hour “cooling off” period between the occurrence and submission of a complaint. Emotions or other factors could unnecessarily aggravate a matter beyond reasonable conversation and result in an unnecessary confrontation.
  • Initial Discussion – individuals are encouraged to reasonably discuss and attempt resolution with the parties involved before formal reporting, unless necessary to prevent injury, harm, or violation of law.
  • Formal Reporting – if the parties are not able to resolve the matter themselves, they should formally report general complaints in writing to designated individuals below, providing sufficient detail (date, location, names) and contact information to allow for follow-up.
    • Issues with players or competition officials should be first reported to EVAA coaches, who will attempt resolution.
    • Issues with EVAA coaches should be first reported to an EVAA Program Director or an EVAA Program’s coach liaison, if applicable, who will attempt resolution.
    • Issues with an EVAA Program Board or the EVAA Board should be first reported to the EVAA President, who will attempt resolution.
• Escalation – if not otherwise resolved by the parties, the matter should proceed by reporting in writing to the relevant EVAA Program Director (if not already) who will attempt resolution or if unsuccessful present the dispute to the EVAA Board at the next scheduled EVAA Board Meeting, which will thereafter trigger the EVAA Board Investigation Process.

 

Board Investigation Process. Used for all Tier 3 and Tier 2 concerns, Tier 1 matters that could not achieve resolution at the Program level, or any other matters determined by the EVAA President or EVAA Vice President to warrant such review.

• Individuals subject to Tier 3 or Tier 2 complaints will be automatically suspended from further EVAA participation until completion of the Board Investigation Process.
• Upon receipt of an in-scope report, the EVAA Board will form a Complaint Committee to include three members:
  • EVAA Program Director (also serves as the Complaint Committee chair)
  • EVAA Board Program Liaison
  • One other member selected by the Program Board (or if the Program lacks a Board, by the EVAA Vice President or alternatively by the EVAA Board Safety Director if the Vice President is unavailable)

If any of these individuals are a participant or subject of the complaint or concern, the EVAA Board President will select one or more individuals from the EVAA Board to replace). If there are no suitable individuals to make up the committee, or if the EVAA Board President is also a participant or subject to the complaint or concern, the EVAA Board will identify alternative methods for resolution by an independent, unaffiliated party as feasible.

• The Complaint Committee will review the matter, reports, and any previous actions taken, and may choose to conduct interviews or further investigation as necessary.
• The Complaint Committee must make a final written decision based on investigation and findings, which may include disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, written warnings, suspension, limitations, expulsion, or otherwise. Such results must be reported in writing to the EVAA Board at the next scheduled Board meeting (or at a special meeting if called by the EVAA President).
• All affected parties will be notified in writing of the Complaint Committee’s final decision, disciplinary actions, and rights for appeal (if any).

Limitation or Cancellation of Activities. If at any time during an EVAA-facilitated activity, and upon notice of Substantial or Other Misconduct, the individual(s) designated to be in charge or responsible for oversight of the activity determine that such matters could materially affect the safety and health of any participants, the individual(s) should, and are authorized to, limit, cease, or cancel the event without further notice and must immediately (as feasible) report such actions as required above and to the EVAA Board and applicable EVAA Program Board. Individuals responsible for making these decisions include coaches, referees, and tournament/event officials for player or spectator misconduct, and include referees and tournament/event officials for coach misconduct.

Litigation. Implied or initiated legal action against EVAA may require EVAA pursuing legal advice in conjunction with any investigation under this policy unless otherwise prohibited or limited by law.