Note: This policy manual is a work in progress. Rocky Mountain Nordic reserves the right to change policies within at its discretion at any time, for any reason.
Rocky Mountain Nordic Ski Education Foundation, Inc.
Policy Manual — May 14, 2007
1. Introduction
Rocky Mountain Nordic has compiled this manual to assist the coaches of the region along their journey of striving to be the best. In the pages to follow are: mission and vision statements; organizational structure; a brief history of RMN; codes of conduct; program fees; RMN event criteria; criteria for the selected teams of the RMN, along with criteria which athletes as well as coaches will be held to in order to move forward within and outside of the division as developing coaches; and elite team information.
Along with all of the above, supplementary information will be distributed via e-mail to coach-members of the Junior Competition Committee and on www.rmnordic.org. These will include: a yearly calendar and race schedule, event information, downloadable information and forms, news and educational materials.
We hope that you as a RMN member find this helpful, and also that you will learn to look to this manual for answers. The objective here is to not reinvent the wheel every time we as a division come together, and this will hopefully assist each one of you to increase your knowledge about the division and the rules and regulations of Rocky Mountain Nordic. Please take time to carefully read this guide. This handbook will save valuable time and energy during our decision-making times. We will continue to strive for the best that we as a division can produce.
If you have questions, comments or additional information that you would like included in future versions of this manual, please contact:
Justin Easter - RMN Executive Director
816 Idlewild Dr
Dillon, CO 80435
justin [at] rmnordic [dot] org
406.585.0697
Thank you for your time.
2. Mission and Vision Statements
Mission Statement
Rocky Mountain Nordic provides educational, financial and logistical support for the development of cross-country skiing athletes, coaches, clubs and events in Rocky Mountain region and beyond.
Vision Statement
The vision of Rocky Mountain Nordic is to advance the sport of cross-country skiing in Rocky Mountain region and beyond as a healthy lifestyle choice for people of all ability levels, while developing and supporting internationally successful athletes.
3. Organizational Structure
Rocky Mountain Nordic is made up of:
a) A 12-person Board of Directors, with an elected board president, which raises funds, incorporates RMN into a leadership role in the greater Nordic skiing community and seeks and provides coaching development resources.
b) An executive director, who addresses coaches’ development, elite skier programs, regional communications (Web site), race event standards, camps, strategic planning, fund raising and other issues
c) A Junior Competition Committee, with an elected three-person executive committee, which handles all things related to junior Nordic racing in the region
For the 2008-09 season:
+ The executive director is Justin Easter (justin@rmnordic.org; 406.585.0697)
+ The JCC executive committee is made up of Mike Elliott (teamelliott@frontier.net; 970.259.1515), Brian Tate (tates@springsips.com; 970.879.8297) and John Callahan (jcallahan@avsc.com; 970.925.2720 ext. 110)
For a more complete list of Board and JCC members, visit: www.rmnordic.org/AboutRMNordic/Contact/tabid/318/Default.aspx
4. History
Prior to the 2005-06 season, Rocky Mountain Nordic Ski Education Foundation, Inc. was a sub-group of Rocky Mountain Division, Inc., which oversaw all skiing disciplines in Rocky Mountain region. In 2005, RMN became a separate corporation and received Colorado non-profit and federal tax-exempt status.
Throughout its existence and permutations, RMN has introduced thousands of children to the healthy lifestyle sport of Nordic skiing with its club programs throughout the division. At the same time, RMD-Nordic has produced numerous US Ski Team Members, Olympians, Junior and Senior National Champions, All-Americans and qualifiers for the US World Junior and Scandinavian Cup teams.
5. Code of Conduct
Rocky Mountain Nordic's competitive athletes are required to follow the conditions set forth by Rocky Mountain Nordic's Code of Conduct, the Community Code of Conduct and the USSA Code of Conduct as it appears in current USSA competition guides. In addition to the above Codes of Conducts, RMN coaches will adhere to pertinent portions of IOC Code of Ethics. Breaches in any these codes will be dealt with as outlined below:
Athlete Code of Conduct
Each member of Rocky Mountain Nordic competitive team shall conduct themselves in a manner that exemplifies good personal behavior, citizenship and sportsmanship. Specific rules of conduct include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Team members shall abstain from the use of illegal drugs, consumption of alcohol and any form of tobacco while involved any club- or division-related activity (i.e. travel, training or competition). Use of these substances by team members in non-club- or division-related activities would also be considered a breach of the Athlete Code of Conduct.
2. Team members shall abstain from the use of profane or abusive language.
3. Team members shall conduct themselves in an honest manner, with no stealing or misrepresentation whatsoever.
4. Team members shall show self-control and have consideration for others.
5. No team members will engage in any form of hazing or bullying.
6. All team members have the inherent right to learn. No one is allowed to interfere or prevent other forms of learning.
7. Team members shall respect other's belongings. Tampering with other team members' equipment will not be tolerated.
8. Team members will maintain a neat and clean appearance during travel and competition.
9. Rocky Mountain Nordic-issued uniforms must be worn during RMN scheduled events. Athletes wearing team uniforms during non-club scheduled events will be considered representatives of RMN and should conduct themselves responsibly and with the highest degree of citizenship.
10. Team members will adhere to all other travel, school and training in policies as outlines below.
11. All team members will respect the property of hotels or other accommodations while traveling. Individuals will be personally liable for any damage incurred as a result of their actions.
12. All team members will present themselves in a responsible and respectful manner when traveling with Rocky Mountain Nordic.
13. Any breach of the above outlined codes of conduct could jeopardize invitations to travel with RMN, participation in RMN camps and scholarship awards.
Parents Code of Conduct Travel Policies
The success of Rocky Mountain Nordic athletes and programs depends on positive involvement and support from the parents. Constructive feedback on programs and staff is welcomed and will help Rocky Mountain Nordic further improve its programs. Please take time to understand the following items in the Parent Code of Conduct.
1. While in attendance at Rocky Mountain Nordic races or events, parents are requested to abide by the USSA and RMN Athlete Codes of Conduct as described above.
2. During scheduled coaching sessions, no parent shall act as a coach without the expressed invitation of the appropriate RMN Program Director.
3. Parents shall subjectively relate concerns regarding programs, staff, their child, or other RMN competitive athletes to the appropriate RMN Program Director.
4. When addressing issues within a program, parents are requested to adhere to RMN procedure for resolution of that issue. The “Complaint Recording Procedure” form is available at:
www.rmnordic.org/InformationForms/tabid/340/Default.aspx
Travel Policies
All team members and coaching staff of Rocky Mountain Nordic agree to:
1. Be on time for all departures.
2. Assist in loading and unloading team vehicles.
3. Have their race equipment race-ready prior to departure.
4. Be certain all entry fees are paid in advance.
5. Respect all team vehicles and assist in cleaning vehicles.
6. Travel and lodge with RMN coaches during out-or-town events, unless otherwise approved and pre-arranged.
7. Present the appropriate school release form to their coach prior to traveling to an event in which school time be missed.
8. Commit to participation at an event at least three days prior to travel or within the time frame deemed appropriate by the coach.
Disciplinary Policies
Competitive athletes who violate Rocky Mountain Nordic policies and/or codes of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action by one or more of the following: Club coaches and program directors: the RMN executive director; or the Junior Competition Committee. Action taken against an individual as a result of an infraction can include, but is not limited to: reprimand; revocation of a Colorado All-Star Gold Pass; forfeiture of scholarships presently or potentially awarded; suspension or expulsion from any or all Rocky Mountain Nordic competitive programs; community service assignment.
Severe infractions of RMN Code of Conduct immediately go before the club program director, executive director and the JCC executive committee. One or more of the following actions will be taken against athlete: Revocation of a Colorado All-Star Gold Pass; forfeiture of scholarships presently or potentially awarded; suspension or expulsion from any or all Rocky Mountain Nordic competitive programs; community service assignment.
Any athlete who forfeits his/her scholarship or is expelled from a RMN program due to disciplinary action be responsible for full payment of all program, event and/or travel fees.
6. Rocky Mountain Nordic Membership Fees
Individual Membership - All skiers in the J3 class and older (12 years and older on December 31st of the current season) must join Rocky Mountain Nordic to be scored in Colorado Cup or Junior Olympic Qualifier races.
The yearly fees for J3s will be $25 by December 1st and $35 after that due date.
J2s and older will pay $35 by December 1st and $45 after that due date.
Seniors/Masters will pay $25 by December 1st and $35 after that due date.
J2s and older will automatically become members of the National Cross Country Ski Education Foundation and will receive its newsletter.
Checks should be made payable to:
RMN - Terry Struthers
736 7th Street
Boulder CO 80302
RMN encourages clubs to sign up all of their skiers at one time each November. Membership forms and spreadsheets for upcoming seasons are available for download each fall at: www.rmnordic.org/InformationForms/tabid/340/Default.aspx
7. RMN Requirements for all RMN Races
All Hosting Clubs must have their formal race invitation ready for distribution at the Fall RMN Coaches Meeting.
I. Race Invitations must include:
A. Date
B. Time