Policies, Procedures and Code of Conduct

by | Jul 19, 2013 | Policy

Waikoloa Canoe Club

Policies, Procedures and Code of Conduct

Final revision: 9/12/2012

Adopted by WCC Board of Directors:  9/12/2012

Article I.          CODE OF CONDUCT

NOTE: This section has been revised. The revision was adopted by the Board of Directors on March 4, 2015. Articles II and III are pending revision.

WAIKOLOA CANOE CLUB VISION STATEMENT

The mission of the Waikoloa Canoe Club is to promote Hawaiian canoe paddling by educating our youth, our membership, and the community at large about Hawaiian culture, values, and traditions and to promote competitive and recreational outrigger canoe paddling and other water sports at Anaehoʻomalu Bay in Waikoloa, Hawaii.

To ensure the club upholds this vision, there are certain obligations each member must adhere to. Below are the expectations that are fundamental for achieving these goals.

CODE OF CONDUCT

I will treat myself, fellow club members, competing club members, and the general community with respect, honesty, fairness, and aloha.

I will not engage in any violent behavior or abuse others in any way. This includes but is not limited to the use of profanity, vulgar language, racial slurs, or demeaning comments.

I will not act in such a way that will reflect poorly upon Waikoloa Canoe Club.

I will show respect for the environment – especially the ocean.

I will strive to achieve my personal best both physically and mentally and support others in this effort.

I will strive to promote the primary club purposes outlined in the club bylaws and mission statement.

I will participate in and support all club events and assist fellow members to the best of my ability.

I will strive to make all new members and guests of Waikoloa Canoe Club feel welcome and comfortable in our club.

I will respect the canoes and equipment and ensure their safety.

I will respect the rights and property of others.

I will pay my dues on time.

I will keep the best interest of the club and my crew before personal aspirations.

I will attend scheduled practices and notify my coach when not able to participate in practices.

I acknowledge that, having signed the Waikoloa Canoe Club Membership Application, I have agreed to adhere to the above rules at all practices, races, fundraisers, and other club events. I understand that I will be held accountable for my behavior and that any violations may present grounds for not making crew or suspension or expulsion from the club.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak to any Waikoloa officer. We strongly encourage an open line of communication within our club.

Download as PDF.

Article II.       POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Section 2.01                  Chain of Command

The following is a procedure for complaints regarding coaching or the management of the paddling program (if necessary, reports of complaints will be kept confidential):

Article XLV.            Talk with your crew Coach.

Article XLVI.           If you feel that your complaint has not been addressed, talk to the Head Coach.

Article XLVII.         If you still feel that your complaint has not been adequately addressed, talk with the President. If a matter is brought to the President’s attention, the President will bring the matter before the WCC Board of Directors.

Section 2.02                 The Practice Director:

a. During paddling practice and recreational paddling, the Practice Director is under the Supervision of the Head Coach and approved by the Board of Directors of the CLUB.   The Director represents the Board and the Head Coach in responsibility for Canoes and Crews during the Director’s designated practice times. The Director:

Article XLVIII.        Designates the course and distance for each practice based on prevailing wind and sea conditions.

Article XLIX.           Designates the Steerspersons and crews for the practice, ensuring there is a balanced mix of novice and experienced paddlers so that crews are balanced and will not be separated during practice.

Article L.  Only designated Steerspersons approved by the Head Coach may be responsible for the operation of WCC canoes.

Article LI. In the event of Training a Steersperson, an approved Steersperson must also be on board and the area of training is to comply with the designated area within the bay as set forth by the WCC Board of Directors and Head Coach, currently from “Lone Palm” to the South and the point at the Northern edge of the bay.

Article LII.                 The Practice Director may not be registered as a racer and/or race regatta with any other canoe club.

Section 2.03                 Steersperson:

 

Article LIII.                The individual Steersperson of each canoe is in sole command of that vessel while underway.

Article LIV.               The Steersperson is responsible for the lives and safety of all on board and as such may determine to use greater caution within the guidelines set forth by the Director.

Article LV.                If at any time it is determined that an approved Steersperson has performed in a fashion that has caused a hazard to canoe and crew, that person may be suspended from steering until such time that the Coach and Board approve reinstatement guidelines for practice.

 

Section 2.04                 Personnel, Equipment and Conditions

 

(a)    Personnel

Article LVI.               Each Paddler must be in good health, free of injury or illness that may impair said paddler and possibly place canoe and crew at risk in an emergency, this to be left to the good judgment of the paddler.

Article LVII.             Each paddler must be able to swim up to 100 yards unaided and / or be able to float unaided for @10 minutes. If not, a life jacket must be provided and be with the paddler in the canoe during practice.

Article LVIII.            Each practice must have a roll / attendance book with each paddler logging in for each practice. Ideally, use of the standard waiver for boats and crews is to be used so that novice, visiting, non-members are accounted for and insured. Each individual paddler is to print legibly.

Article LIX.               Each practice should include a short briefing by the Director about course and  conditions.

Article LX.                Instruction of the Outrigger paddling stroke will be given to all first time paddlers prior to entering and launching the canoe, to the satisfaction of the steersman that the paddler has sufficient knowledge and ability.

Article LXI.               Each paddler will show a willingness to assist in launching, retrieval, cleanup.  No one is to be idle, all are to help.

Article LXII.             If a paddler has attended 3 practices and intends to continue, dues are to be collected and the paddler is to join, regardless of calendar date during the year of membership.

Article LXIII.            All dues paying members are to be submitted to the Board for entry to Hawaii Canoe Racing Association as a member in good standing for WCC. Paddlers to be designated as racing or recreational paddling.

Article LXIV.           Canoes are to carry a minimum of 4 experienced paddlers if there are no other paddlers available (if all canoes are filled).

Article LXV.            An experienced stroker and steersman, who are members in good standing of WCC, is the minimum standard for any canoe.

Article LXVI.           Every effort is to be made to ensure there is no paddler left behind. For example, if there are 20 paddlers available to paddle, then 4 canoes are to be launched with 5 person crews.

Article LXVII.         Steersmen are to ensure paddlers know their responsibilities in a Huli situation.

Article LXVIII.        If a paddler will need to return early it should be discussed prior to leaving the bay to assist in determining the practice.

Article LXIX.           Each paddler should go through a huli drill at least once per year.  It is up to the Practice Director to ensure this happens.

Article LXX.            Only Coaches and steerspeople should coach other paddlers in canoes.  All other paddlers should refrain from coaching each other.

(b)    Equipment

  • Each Canoe is to be inspected before use to check for loose rigging, damage, plugs are secure, bailers (2 per Canoe) and if the Canoe is not fit for use it is not to be used. Any re-rigging of Waikoloa Canoes is to be done under the supervision of the Head Coach or designated paddlers qualified to rig.
  • Dollies are to be placed between the 3rd and 4th seats of the canoe for transport.
  • There should be at least one person at the tires to aid with the rolling of the dollies as they become stuck in wet sand or steep slope, which will cause the hull to slide.
  • At no time are the canoes to be allowed to slide on the dolly or the beach, this causes wear and scratching of the hull, which then requires repair.
  • Canoes are not to be allowed to rest on the sand, as this also causes damage. In the event of a “shore break”, the canoes are to be held off the beach by 1-2 paddlers.
  • Wet the rigging and clean off all sand before entering the canoe.
  • Any damage to equipment noted before or occurring during or after practice is to be brought to the attention of the Head Coach and/or equipment manager immediately so that repairs, if necessary, may be scheduled.
  • When returning the canoe, ensure it is resting next to the adjacent canoe such that the Iako are resting on the adjacent canoe’s Iako, guards are in place and the Ama is resting on both Iako of the adjacent canoe.
  • All equipment is to be thoroughly washed following each practice.
  • WASH THE DOLLIES, particularly in the area of the bearings.
  • Covers are to be replaced properly following practice.
  • All WCC paddles are to be rinsed and secured in the WCC shed.
  • WCC paddles are available for use for 2 weeks, then paddlers are expected to purchase their own paddles.
  • Canoes are not to be taken outside of the bay in Gale force winds and / or Small Craft warnings.
  • In the event of rough weather, canoes are to stay within 100 yards of each other.
  • A single canoe may be taken outside of the bay if approved by the Head Coach.

(c)     Conditions

 

Section 2.05                 Board of Directors Nominations:

  • Any members wishing to run for Board of Directors must have attended at least two board meetings in the year prior to the election.
  • Any members wishing to run for the Board of Directors may not be registered to race with another canoe club.
  • Any members wishing to run for the Board of Directors must disclose any conflict that may interfere with his/her ability to serve on the board or attend meetings.   This could be things such as work commitments, travel plans, etc.
  • The President shall appoint to a nominating committee, three (3) or more members two months before the annual membership meeting. The nominating committee shall submit the list of nominees with a brief biography, if provided, to the general membership in good standing at least two weeks prior to the Annual General Membership meeting.

 

 

Written Contract

By signing the Waikoloa Canoe Club Application form, I agree to uphold all WCC rules, policies and codes of conduct.