Parent Handbook

HISTORY, MISSION STATEMENT & STATEMENT OF VALUES 

HISTORY

The Grand Targhee Ski and Snowboard Foundation (GTSSF) is a Registered Trade Name (Wyoming) under the Teton Valley Ski Education Foundation 501(c). (3) a Non-Profit was founded in 1988 by local ski racing legends Deb and Dana Mackenzie and Brad (Squeak) Melehes, Mark Melehes, and John Borstelman. In 1988 the first annual “Tug Boat (Terry Palmer) Memorial” Ski Swap took place. This generated the initial money to operate as Teton Valley’s first Non-Profit. Together they introduced the wonder of ski racing to the youth of our Valley. Their intentions still stand today to encourage discipline, respect, physical fitness, and healthy competition for the children of Teton Valley. GTSSF has contributed to the development of regionally and nationally ranked athletes and ski professionals, including our most recognizable alums on today’s ski scene, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, two-time Olympian (2018, 2022) and Olympic silver medalist Jaelin Kauf, and Red Bull athlete Kai Jones. 

GTSSF currently provides development and competition team programs in alpine, cross country, freeride, and snowboard for hundreds of local athletes with the support of an extensive professional coaching staff.

GTSSF is composed of children, coaches, parents, and board members who together form a skiing and snowboarding community.  Athletes are trained, prepared, and supported for the level of competitive advancement they seek.  GTSSF follows the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) guidelines on athlete development. 

MISSION

Our mission is to provide affordable ski and snowboard programs for young athletes to meet their individual potential for excellence through education and opportunity for competition. 

VISION

Inspiring future stewards of the mountains to pursue personal development and engagement in the community by providing sustainable, affordable access to all athletes and their families.

VALUES

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

We provide programs that assist each participant in reaching his/her potential. 

INCLUSIVITY: We provide programs that foster a team mentality for the success of all participants. 

SAFETY: We apply best practices to maximize the safety of our participants. 

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY: We are committed to affordable and accessible programs and seek community support and scholarships to help athletes as they move up the pipeline. 

COMMUNITY: We promote positive, productive relationships with the local community, community partners, and supporters of GTSSF. 

BALANCE: We build relationships with the school system and work with participants so they can excel in their sports, school, and life.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY 

GTSSF, its directors, officers, agents, and employees shall not discriminate against any director, officer, agent, employee, or member or any other individual on the basis of color, religion, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, gender, class or disability. 

GTSSF, its members, if any, directors, officers, volunteers, and employees shall not discriminate against any member, director, officer, customer, visitor, applicant for a scholarship or other GTSSF programs and services, guest, employee or any other individual on the basis of color, religion, race, nationality, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender, class or disability in accordance with all federal and state laws that may apply. This policy applies to all aspects of GTSSF. GTSSF is an equal opportunity organization in all regards. 

Upon notification of violation of this policy, GTSSF will take action immediately, and disciplinary action will be taken, up to and including termination of employment, dismissal from the board of directors, or termination of involvement with the program. 

GTSSF also seeks, through its scholarship, fundraising, and outreach programs, to make GTSSF as affordable and accessible as possible to all customers and individuals who wish to participate in GTSSF programs, activities, and events.

SAFE SPORT GUIDELINES 

Consistent with the governing bodies of our sport, US Ski & Snowboard and U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), providing a safe environment to protect the health and well-being of our athletes is a high priority for GTSSF and at the center of all our programs. SafeSport is a valuable partnership between the US Ski & Snowboard and the USOC with a variety of SafeSport Guidance Resources. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard works to provide a safe environment in which athletes can train and compete, free from abuse and inappropriate behavior.  GTSSF follows all relevant guidelines and protocols of the US Ski & Snowboard SafeSport program.  Please review the following information and join us in sustaining a culture of safety.

• SafeSport Guideline
• Athlete Safety Policies & Guidelines
• Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAP)
• Policy on Abuse, Molestation, and Sexual Harassment

If you need to report inappropriate behavior, CLICK HERE.  We all are part of promoting a culture of safety through education, listening, and speaking up.

On occasion due to limited numbers, GTSSF may make a slight adaptation to travel guidelines. Our goal is to communicate with parents when making adaptations.  Consent forms found at link 3 should be used in these instances – transportation and lodging.

Athlete Code of Conduct

All athletes and parents must agree to accept and abide by the rules of GTSSF. 

Athletes’ and parents’ participation in programs is an opportunity afforded them by GTSSF. These athletes must exhibit the maturity to be successful, and parents must exhibit the support and understanding of GTSSF principles to allow their athletes to succeed. Thus, the following codes, rules, guidelines, and procedures shall apply in all activities within the GTSSF programs. 

CODE OF CONDUCT 

PROPER CONDUCT: Each member of GTSSF, including athletes and parents, will conduct himself/herself in a manner that exemplifies the standards of good personal behavior and sportsmanship and does not bring discredit upon GTSSF, sponsors, or business partners.  It is expected that GTSSF families represent GTSSF at all times, on and off the snow, in or out of uniform, in person, or on social media, and are expected to be positive ambassadors for the club. 

RESPECT INDIVIDUALS: While participating in GTSSF activities, including training and traveling with GTSSF, athletes, and parents are expected to show respect for coaches, GTSSF staff, teammates, race officials, volunteers, parents, chaperones, the general public, and all athletes and competitors. Verbal or physical abuse of anyone involved with GTSSF – staff, coaches, parents, teammates – will not be tolerated. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. While participating in GTSSF training and athletic events, athletes and their parents are expected to respect coaches’ decisions.

RESPECT PROPERTY: While participating in GTSSF activities, including training and traveling with GTSSF, athletes, and parents are expected to show respect for GTSSF property and all property involved with training and competition. Sharing of equipment, tools, etc., with teammates is not discouraged, but please ask permission first. If a teammate does not wish to share his/her personal property, please respect that decision. 

FULL PARTICIPATION: Athletes are expected to participate fully in the training and racing plans designed by the coaching staff. This includes dryland and on-snow training, competition, rest, and recovery. 

FOLLOW RULES OF ALL VENUES: Parents and athletes shall obey the regulations of Grand Targhee Ski Resort, the Alta track, and the rules of all other venues used during training and competition. Those athletes competing in US Ski & Snowboard sanctioned events will obey the US Ski & Snowboard Sportsmanship Guidelines as outlined in the USSA Code of Conduct and adhered to by the Intermountain Division. 

NO SUBSTANCE USE/ABUSE: GTSSF is opposed to the use of prohibited and restricted substances and contact with individuals who are participating in the use of such substances. Substance use negatively impacts athletic and academic performance. Research indicates that early onset of alcohol use increases the occurrence of addiction in adulthood by four times. Alcohol and drug use interferes with learning processes and brain development and increases the chance of physical injury while participating in athletic competition. As a result of these risks, and in addition to the laws of the States of Idaho and Wyoming and the mandates of US Ski & Snowboard, FIS, WADA, and USADA pertaining to prohibited substances, GTSSF prohibits the use of all illegal and restricted substances including but not limited to alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, vapes, etc. 

SUPPLEMENTS POLICY 

GTSSF does not endorse or encourage the use of legal supplements by GTSSF athletes. GTSSF encourages proper diet, periodization, rest, relaxation, and health education. As such, GTSSF believes athletes do not need supplemental enhancements of any kind. Any use of legal supplements thereof is a decision between an athlete and his/her parents.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

PURPOSE: GTSSF recognizes the role social media plays in modern communication, and we respect the right of GTSSF members (athletes, parents, volunteers, employees, agents, etc.) to use social networks for self-expression. This policy protects the interests of GTSSF, including but not limited to the organization’s reputation with athletes, families, coaches, donors, partners, and sponsors so we can uphold a good image within the community.  This policy should guide all GTSSF members to make respectful and appropriate decisions about interactions on the Internet. For the purpose of this policy, social media means any platform for online publication and commentary, including but not limited to blogs, wikis, and social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Reddit,  TikTok, etc.

REPRESENTING GTSSF: Commentary and content produced by a GTSSF member reflects not only that individual’s personal views but also reflects back on GTSSF as an organization. By extension of representing our club, you also represent our community, including all GTSSF athletes, coaches, business partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers, board members, and our Teton Valley community at large. The actions of one individual can result in members of the public forming opinions about the entire organization, its athletes, staff, board members, partners, and sponsors; as such, all members are asked to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with GTSSF values and culture.

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES:

• Positive personalized engagement with GTSSF stakeholders is encouraged and appreciated.
• Tag #GTSSF so we can share!
• Exercise good judgment.
• Follow the Golden Rule – Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
• When in doubt, don’t post.
• Be mindful of the information you want the public to see.
• Remember: it takes five positive comments to outweigh one negative comment.
• Always assume anything you post can be seen by GTSSF members, partners, and sponsors. Even deleted posts can remain accessible indefinitely.
• Think about the consequences of how your communications may reflect on GTSSF if a community member, a business partner, a sponsor, or another GTSSF employee, athlete, or parent saw what you posted. How would you feel about being associated with someone else’s negative post, directly or indirectly?

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS SHOULD:

• Be consistent with the positive image and/or goodwill that GTSSF wishes to cultivate.
• Bring value to the conversation about GTSSF, show the positive things athletes and coaches are doing on and off the snow, and engage more people in the conversation about GTSSF
• Speak respectfully of and reflect positively on GTSSF, current members, partners, and sponsors
• Be factual in nature
• Be respectful and refrain from topics that may be considered objectionable

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS SHOULD NOT:

• Be dishonest, untrue, misleading, or inflammatory
• Be argumentative in nature — do not try to settle scores or goad others into debates
• Include confidential information about GTSSF, members, partners, or sponsors
• Reflect negatively on or show GTSSF or any of its partners or sponsors in a negative or demeaning manner
• or any of its members, partners, or sponsors so as to damage GTSSF’s reputation
• Air personal grievances toward GTSSF or any of its partners or sponsors
• Defame, misrepresent, or contain disparaging remarks about other people, partners, or sponsors

ENFORCEMENT:

If any negative, questionable, disparaging, or misleading social media posts are brought to the attention of GTSSF leadership (coaches, executive director, board members, etc.), they will notify the executive director at ([email protected], 208-354-4878), who will investigate any claims.  

If it is determined that an incident violates this policy, the responsible individual may be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to removal of the post, formal apology, suspension from programs, removal from programs, and/or termination of employment.

ACADEMICS AND GTSSF ATHLETES 

Developing well-rounded, successful student-athletes is a core value at GTSSF. Each athlete’s academic success is as important as his/her athletic success. To this end, GTSSF wants to see each athlete excel in both GTSSF and school. Together with parents, teachers, and athletes, we work to ensure that all of our athletes are in good standing in their schools in order to participate in GTSSF. Additionally, we strongly and continually encourage athletes to discuss any current academic issues with coaches as needed to ensure appropriate attention to academics. If any concerns are brought to our attention, GTSSF may follow up with the school to find the best way to help the athlete succeed in school and on the snow.

GTSSF has an Academy program where athletes have the opportunity to train during the week.  For this program, there are additional academic requirements asked of all participants, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA, submitting report card updates to GTSSF monthly, and correcting academics before returning to training, if necessary. Head coaches or the program coordinator will review academic performance monthly.

_{PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES & BEHAVIOR}

Parents are expected to do the following: 

1. Read and be knowledgeable about this entire handbook with your athlete. Abide by the policies and procedures of GTSSF. 
2. Attend an orientation meeting in the fall. It is mandatory that at least one parent and all athletes attend this meeting. 
3. Show interest, enthusiasm, and support for your child and team.  Be supportive of your athlete, his/her coaches, teammates, and other competitors, regardless of the outcome.
4. GTSSF believes the parents’ role should be supportive in nature. GTSSF programs and development standards are in line with USSA long-term athlete development training models. Parents are expected to be knowledgeable about those standards and the long-term athletic development of their son/daughter. Parents are expected to respect these programming guidelines. 
5. Have realistic expectations and keep success in perspective.
6. Make your child responsible for his/her own preparation (i.e. equipment ready, practice time, etc.), and hold your child accountable for poor behaviors during practice or at events.
7. Support your child’s goals, encourage positive participation, and acknowledge successes and achievements at the level of your child’s potential. 
8. Provide an appropriate push when your child is reluctant or unmotivated.
9. Be in control of your emotions. Parents should never directly confront any child other than their own.
10. Help make skiing/riding fun!
11. Be involved in the success of the GTSSF by volunteering and/or participating in fundraising programs. It is only with fundraising that this club can survive and flourish, thus providing your child with a platform for success. 
12. Naturally, you will be curious about your child’s progress, and we encourage you to talk to your child’s coach. However, direct interventions (i.e., a parent tagging along for runs or skiing or inspecting a race course with their child) create difficult situations for athletes and coaches during training and especially at competitions. Please feel free to talk to the coach before and after practice should you have any concerns in this regard. 
13. Communicate effectively and respectfully with your child’s coach(es); set up an appointment with your child’s coach(es) if you have questions, concerns, or something to discuss. We highly encourage you to get to know the staff and your child’s coach(es); it is best to make time for a conversation and not approach a coach during a training or competition event. We also encourage the use of email for communication.
14. During races and competitions:
    1. Be positive.
    2. Recognize that the team is on a tight schedule and has many responsibilities before and after the actual racing. The time available for you to spend with your child may be very limited.
    3. Remain in the spectator area during competitions.
    4. Be respectful of and please stay out of the start and wax preparation arena and the coaches’ space in this arena as they work to prepare skis and athletes for competitions.
    5. Do not try to coach your child before, during, or immediately after the competition. Allow the coaching staff to do their job. 
    6. Respect the coach’s decisions. They are professionals and are trained to maximize your athlete’s experience at each event. If you have questions, discuss the situation with the coach at a later time. 
    7. Monitor your own expectations of your child’s performance and progress, realizing that athletes who feel that they cannot meet their parents’ expectations quickly lose motivation. 
    8. Thank the coaches, officials, and other volunteers

Useful parent resources can be found at the US Ski & Snowboard website using the following links – 

• Pipeline, training, and registration information
• Being A Positive Sport Parent

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

See our volunteer programs page for details on how to get involved.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

See our scholarship programs page for details on how to get involved.

PROGRAM POLICIES

BEACONS: All athletes and coaches are required to have beacons any time they got out of bounds at the resort (slack country) i.e. Mary’s, Road Runs to Sac, Upper Das… Each member of the group must also be knowledgeable about how to operate their beacon.

LIFT BAR: Athletes and coaches are expected to ride lifts with the bar down any time they are participating in a GTSSF-related activity – training, competitions, etc.

HELMET: All athletes participating in a downhill discipline must wear a helmet at all times while on-snow and participating in a GTSSF activity i.e. training, competition, camp, etc.

COMMITMENT TO REGISTERED TRAINING DAY: Athletes and parents are committed to the training days they sign up for during registration.  Athletes and parents may not switch dates at any point in time without prior approval from the head coach.  Head coaches may allow athletes to switch days if they can accommodate that request.  They are under no obligation to honor that request.

ADDING ON TRAINING DAYS: If, during the season, a family would like to add training days beyond what was originally registered for, they must notify the head coach for the program to which they would like to add and the executive director.  If the head coach can accommodate the request, a prorated fee for that additional training will be determined by the executive director.

TIPS: Coaches may accept tips from families at the end of the season.  Tips are not to be accepted in conjunction with events or competitions.  Tipping is not mandatory and is not expected.

CONCUSSION POLICY

Pursuant to US Ski & Snowboard Concussion policies, any GTSSF athlete suspected of having sustained a concussion or traumatic brain injury must be removed immediately from participation in any GTSSF sporting event (e.g. sanctioned training, practice, camps, competitions, or tryouts) by any GTSSF agent or coach overseeing such sporting event. 

The athlete will be prohibited from further participation until evaluated and cleared in writing to resume participation in GTSSF sporting events by a qualified healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussive head injuries. The health care professional must certify to GTSSF in the “Clearance Letter” that he/she has successfully completed a continuing education course in the evaluation and management of concussive head injuries within three years of the day on which the written statement is made. 

Upon removal of an athlete from participation for a suspected concussion/traumatic brain injury, the GTSSF agent or coach making the removal will also inform US Ski & Snowboard Competition Services in accordance with the US Ski & Snowboard Concussion Policy for US Ski & Snowboard members. In addition to providing a Clearance Letter to GTSSF, athletes who have subsequently been medically cleared to resume participation must also provide the Clearance Letter to US Ski & Snowboard Competition Services in order to be permitted to participate in US Ski & Snowboard sporting events. 

RETURN FROM INJURY POLICY

Any GTSSF athlete suspected of having sustained an injury must be removed immediately from participation in any GTSSF sporting event (e.g. sanctioned training, practice, camps, competitions, or tryouts) by any GTSSF agent or coach overseeing such sporting event. 

Upon removal of an athlete from participation for a suspected injury, the GTSSF agent or coach making the removal will also inform the athlete’s parent or guardian. 

The athlete will be prohibited from further participation until evaluated and cleared in writing by a professional, qualified healthcare provider to resume participation in GTSSF sporting events.  Athletes will provide the executive director and the head coach with any recommendations provided by the medical professional. The athlete’s parents and GTSSF coaches will continue to evaluate the return to sport.

Teton Valley Health now offers Direct Primary Care to assist families without health insurance or unable to afford regular health insurance.  Athletes can join this plan for only $35/month, which could cover the time they are participating in programs.  For more information, click here.

BASELINE TESTING

Baseline testing for concussion is available for GTSSF athletes and is strongly encouraged for all athletes 10 years of age and older, as well as any athlete participating in a competitive program: alpine race, cross country prep, and comp, freeride, and snowboard comp.

We use the King-Devick concussion program in coordination with Teton Valley Health. For those unfamiliar with the program, the King-Devick Test (K-D test), in association with the Mayo Clinic, is an accurate and reliable method for identifying athletes with head trauma and has particular relevance to contact and collision sports, such as skiing, hockey, basketball, and football. The K-D test is easy to administer and objectively determines whether players should be removed from play to receive additional medical attention. Testing takes about 2 minutes on average per athlete. The baseline test is recorded as the fastest time without errors an athlete can read the test card. 

If an athlete is injured, they may be given the same test, and if their time has changed or has errors/indications of concussion, the athlete may be showing signs of a concussion. All Teton Valley Health Care providers have access to every athlete’s history and base/sideline test to reference should an incident occur. Once the baseline test is recorded and saved to the system, coaches, athletic trainers, parent volunteers, and providers can access the system for sideline and follow-up testing in the event of a head injury. 

FEE, DEPOSITS, AND INVOICE POLICIES

EVENT DEPOSITS

An event deposit is required for each athlete participating in the competition. Event deposits are due the Thursday prior to each team competition. If you do not complete your event deposit prior to an event through Ski Club Pro, you may be asked to do so at the event. If you fail to make a deposit for an event, you will not be allowed to participate in upcoming events until the prior event deposit and the upcoming event deposit are made online.

Event Deposits are applied to all competition fees, including but not limited to registration, lift tickets, additional coaching time, mileage, per diems, and lodging. A balance for these fees paid by GTSSF in advance for participating athletes is due on the invoice. If a participant’s payment of fees and other expenses is not received by payment deadlines, that participant may have program and/or competition privileges revoked until the account is made current.

PAYMENT PLANS

If an athlete anticipates participation in multiple competitions over the course of a single season, that family may prefer to set up a payment plan monthly or bi-weekly to cover the estimated costs. An additional invoice will be sent after each event for any balance owed to account for the difference between the deposit and the actual cost. GTSSF does not mark up any event costs.

PAYMENT POLICIES

GTSSF will apply any payments made to the oldest outstanding balance first.

If a family has an outstanding balance, any refunds or money GTSSF owes to that family will first be applied to the outstanding balance. Any remaining funds will be refunded.

End-of-year account statements will be sent to each family. A family may request any outstanding credits be applied to his/her account or a refund check.  Any outstanding balances will be due by May 1st.

Any family with open balances from the previous season will not be able to participate in any future GTSSF programs until those balances have been paid off.

REFUND POLICY 

Program Fee Refunds General: 

1. Upon registration and initial payment of program fees, refunds may be requested through the GTSSF office as follows:
   1. Prior to November 1st – GTSSF will fully refund any payments made should an athlete voluntarily or involuntarily withdraw from the program.
   2. November 1st or Later (in general)
      1. For the cross country rec program, the deadline is December 1st.  For the Alpine Devo 2nd session, the deadline is January 1st.
      2. Voluntary Withdrawal – GTSSF will retain 30% of the participant’s program fee for administrative fees plus an additional prorated fee for the period the athlete participated in the program. 
      3. Involuntary Withdrawal (documented illness, season-ending injury, or family relocation) – GTSSF will retain the prorated fee for the period the athlete participated in the program and refund the rest.
2. Program fees are not a la carte based on the number of days an athlete participates.  Therefore, no refunds will be given for missed training due to vacation, short-term illness, or other obligations.  
3. There are no refunds given due to late openings or early closings of Grand Targhee Resort or cross-country trails. 
4. There are no refunds given for force majeure events, including but not limited
   1. acts of God, such as severe acts of nature or weather events, including floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, or explosions;
   2. war, acts of terrorism, and epidemics;
   3. acts of governmental authorities such as expropriation, condemnation, and changes in laws and regulations; and
   4. strikes and labor disputes.
5. There are no refunds given should it become impossible or impractical for GTSSF to continue programs.

If an athlete voluntarily cancels participation in a race, competition, or training event* less than two weeks prior to the first day of participation, refunds are not allowed.  The executive director may consider individual circumstances.  Race, competition, or training event-related expenses paid by GTSSF in advance of the event that are non-refundable to GTSSF will not be refunded. If a refund is approved, GTSSF will retain a $50 administrative fee. 

If any race or competition is canceled for any reason, refunds will be made only after expenses that have already been incurred have been paid, such as travel, additional coaching time, lodging, venue rental, timing company fees, etc.

TRAVEL AND LODGING POLICIES

General GTSSF Travel and Lodging Policies

• Travel and lodging policies vary from discipline to discipline and event to event. 
• Attempts are always made to find affordable, adequate lodging.
• Coaches are not responsible for the supervision, chaperoning, or travel arrangements for any GTSSF athlete when traveling to away contests. Sometimes, a coach may provide a ride for an athlete if previous approval has been granted. It is assumed that athletes will be responsible for themselves. Parents are responsible for providing supervision for their children. At away events, the sole responsibility of a GTSSF coach is to provide on-snow coaching. 
• If an athlete violates GTSSF Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Rules while traveling with GTSSF or at an away event, the athlete may be sent home immediately at the parents’ cost by whatever means is most convenient. No reimbursement of program or event fees will be made. 
• Travel and lodging policies are subject to change throughout the season and will be updated. 

Cross Country: To meet the goals of GTSSF Cross Country programming and to accommodate GTSSF families, GTSSF Cross County generally chooses to travel and lodge at away events as a team rather than having individual families and athletes travel and lodge separately. All lodging arrangements are made and paid for in advance by GTSSF or families who coordinate team lodging. Athletes will be grouped together in rooms to provide a full or shared bed for every athlete. 

Alpine: For winter events (excluding some camps), alpine racers and families are generally responsible for their own travel and lodging at away events. The alpine coach attending the race will publish a race schedule with recommended accommodations. However, it is the responsibility of each family to make their own hotel reservations. Although it is not required, athletes usually stay with family members in a hotel where the team and coaches are all staying. With the approval of the GTSSF alpine coaches and parents, athletes not staying with family members may stay in a room with same-gender teammates. 

If Alpine chooses to travel and lodge at away events as a team rather than having individual families and athletes travel and lodge separately, coaches will make that announcement. On these trips, all lodging arrangements are made and paid for in advance by GTSSF or families who coordinate team lodging. Athletes will be grouped together in rooms of the same gender to provide a full or shared bed for every athlete. 

Freeride: Freeride competitors and families are responsible for their own travel and lodging at away events. The head coach will publish a competition schedule with recommended accommodations. However, it is the responsibility of each family to make their own hotel reservations. 

Snowboard: To meet the goals of GTSSF snowboard programming and to accommodate GTSSF families, GTSSF snowboard generally chooses to travel and lodge at away events as a team rather than having individual families and athletes travel and lodge separately. If snowboard competitors and families are responsible for their own travel and lodging at away events, the head coach or team parent will notify the team and will publish a competition schedule with recommended accommodations. However, in these instances, it is the responsibility of each family to make their own hotel reservations.

TRANSPORTATION POLICY

GTSSF is the owner of vehicles shared by all four disciplines on a schedule to be determined by head coaches and the executive director. Vehicles are used year-round for transportation from school and other locations to local training venues and for out-of-town camps, training, and competitions. The coaching staff will announce departure, time, and place. 

GTSSF attempts to provide transportation to out-of-town events, primarily for athletes 14 and older. However, depending on availability and distances, athletes may be responsible for their own transportation, as well as the cost of getting coaches to the events. When GTSSF provides transportation for athletes to an event, that transportation may include a rental vehicle, the use of a parent or coach vehicle, a GTSSF vehicle, a commercial bus, or another form of transportation. GTSSF will communicate to athletes when transportation is provided and in what form. 

Fees related to GTSSF-provided transportation vary depending on the event/competition the transportation is used for. In general, when a van is used for out-of-town travel, GTSSF athletes will be charged an equal share of the total mileage of the trip, which is charged at the IRS mileage rate. When a rental vehicle or a commercial bus is used, the cost of the rental or bus, as well as fuel needed for the trip, is charged to the athletes traveling.

All GTSSF vehicles used shall be returned to the GTSSF offices in clean condition. Athletes who use the vehicles shall be responsible for picking up after themselves and cleaning. If the van/bus is not kept clean, there will be a mandatory rotating schedule for cleaning. Any damage to a GTSSF vehicle caused by a GTSSF athlete will be the responsibility of the offending athlete. 

Seatbelt use is mandatory on all GTSSF trips. However, as it can be difficult to monitor seatbelt use once the van is in motion, we urge parents to initiate a dialogue with their children and reinforce the necessity of wearing a seatbelt. 

GTSSF expects team members not traveling in the van to use other safe means of transportation to training and competitions. Any verified reports of unsafe operation of vehicles carrying club members to GTSSF activities may lead to disciplinary action against those involved. 

DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES & PROCEDURES 

DISCIPLINARY RULES WITHIN CODE OF CONDUCT 

1.  Any violation of the Code of Conduct is cause for disciplinary action, including suspension and/or dismissal from GTSSF or other disciplinary procedures.
2. Substance use and/or possession thereof, including alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and banned substances governed by US Ski & Snowboard, the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is cause for immediate suspension and/or dismissal from the program or other disciplinary procedures. If an athlete is suspended or expelled from school for a drug or alcohol-related incident, possession, or use, the athlete and his/her parents must tell the GTSSF executive director and/or head coach, and the athlete may be subject to immediate dismissal or suspension from the program.
3. Persistent irresponsibility and disrespectful behavior are cause for suspension and/or dismissal from GTSSF or other disciplinary procedures. 
4. Unwelcome tampering with or destruction of GTSSF property or others’ personal property is cause for suspension and/or dismissal from GTSSF or other disciplinary procedures.
5. Violation of state, federal, or international laws is cause for dismissal from GTSSF. Any violation of law resulting in an arrest or conviction by civil authorities, even if not related to team activities, may result in disciplinary procedures by the executive director and/or head coach.
6. Failure to comply with any and all event, team, or specific activity rules (curfew, attendance, schedules, etc.) may be cause for disciplinary action. Typically, discipline will be initiated with a verbal warning, followed by possible suspension from GTSSF activities. Persistent failure will be cause for suspension and/or dismissal from the program for the remainder of the current season and could affect an athlete’s future participation.
7. Please note: If suspension or dismissal from the program or an event occurs while traveling, the athlete may be sent home immediately at the parents’ cost at whatever means is most convenient. No reimbursement of program or event fees will be made.
8. Adherence to these rules and guidelines, as specified herein by GTSSF, and observance of state and federal laws are required for participation in this program. 

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Disciplinary issues, including any violation of this Code of Conduct, shall be addressed primarily by the executive director, who shall recommend a course of action. When an issue or violation occurs in the absence of the executive director or head coach, a coach may take immediate and necessary action, which will later be reviewed by the executive director and/or head coach. Head coaches may seek counsel of the executive director, the Personnel Committee, and the Executive Committee. 

A head coach may initiate disciplinary proceedings based upon information obtained from reliable sources providing there is supportive substantial information to warrant this action. GTSSF differentiates between code violations and behaviors observed by coaches or staff and those that are reported by a third party. Unacceptable behavior observed by GTSSF coaches or staff, will be immediately dealt with by head coaches and assistant coaches and will be brought to the attention of the executive director to assess any further action required. Behavior observed by a third party requires that an incident must be reported and referred to the head coach or executive director for action. 

In the event that a violation occurs and the offending athlete brings it to the attention of the staff of their own free will, considerations may be applied to the consequences as a show of good faith for self-reporting. 

GTSSF will make every effort to be fair and reasonable in the application of the Code of Conduct for individuals subject to GTSSF Disciplinary Guidelines. If an individual is believed to have violated the Code of Conduct or a disciplinary rule, he/she will be given an opportunity to be heard relative to the violation(s). 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 

If an athlete or parent has an issue/grievance/complaint regarding any aspect of the GTSSF program, the procedure for addressing the issue will be: 

1. Approach the skier’s direct coach about the situation. 
2. If resolution is not achieved, the issue may be brought to the attention of the Head Coach in charge of the program involved.
3. If resolution is not achieved, the issue may be referred to the Executive Director. 
4. If resolution is not achieved, the issue may be brought before the GTSSF Personnel Committee. 
5. If the particular issue involves one of the individuals or entities listed in this protocol, you may then proceed to take the issue/grievance to the next highest level of supervision.

If an athlete or parent has a grievance or complaint, please make an appointment to talk with the appropriate individual. Grievances and complaints will not be addressed during training, camp, or competition days.  Coaches cannot give adequate attention to your grievance without notice.  No issue shall be universally broadcast to the attention of any email listserv or to the general club membership. If grievances cannot be resolved electronically, an in-person meeting may be requested to resolve the issue.

GTSSF will make every effort to address, and take seriously, parent/athlete concerns and grievances. From time to time grievances simply cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the parent/athlete. If this is the case, the GTSSF board apologizes and encourages the parent/athlete to seek alternative programs. 

EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS 

GTSSF follows best practices with regard to the safety of its participants at all trainings, camps, and competition events. Each discipline has an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) designed to ensure the safety of all GTSSF participants. 

COMMUNICATION PLAN 

Communication between GTSSF, athletes, and parents is of critical importance. GTSSF will make every effort to provide optimal communications, but please keep in mind there will always be communication challenges. There are several ways of disseminating information: general information on programming, policies, and procedures can be found on the GTSSF website, as well as via email to disseminate training schedules. GTSSF also uses Facebook, Instagram, and email newsletters. 

Email is an important means of communication. GTSSF will send emails about events and other club-wide matters. Coaches will email information about training schedules and competition information. Getting the proper email addresses to GTSSF for communication and ensuring that email addresses will accept emails from MailChimp and coaches is the responsibility of each family during registration. Please make sure GTSSF has all email addresses to which you wish to receive information. Please ask your head coach for more information on discipline specific communications and information. 

GTSSF also sends quarterly e-newsletters, and an annual report to its members, donors and supporters. 

CRITICAL INCIDENT COMMUNICATIONS PLAN: 

In the event there is a “critical incident” (as defined below) at GTSSF, the following communication procedures will be followed: 

1. A critical incident is defined as:
   1. A serious vehicle accident involving GTSSF coaches and/or athletes.
   2. An injury to a GTSSF athlete or staff member involving serious bodily injury or death. 
   3. An act (alleged or confirmed) of abuse by GTSSF personnel against a GTSSF athlete or staff member.
   4. A natural or unnatural disaster (i.e., avalanche, fire, earthquake, lighting, terrorist attack, infectious disease, other serious events) that occurs during a GTSSF event that may involve or have an impact on GTSSF athletes, volunteers, staff.
2. All internal primary contacts (including the board of directors, the executive director and relevant head coaches) will be contacted by the executive director or the chair of the board by email/phone and informed of the critical incident. 
3. Internal primary contacts (only the Executive Committee of the board of directors will be part of decision making) will assess critical incidents and determine content and extent of the communication plan. Based on that assessment, the communication plan will be distributed by the executive director or chair of the board to some or all of the following contacts: current parents of GTSSF athletes, full GTSSF board of directors, head coaches, assistant coaches, the public. 
4. There will be one spokesperson designated by the executive director or chair of the board for all external media communications, and all other personnel need to defer to that person. 

Other non-critical, but important, communications will be handled as follows: 

1. If there is a breach of the Code of Conduct by an athlete resulting in disciplinary action, the head coach of the athlete involved will send a confidential email or communication to the executive director and all appropriate personnel explaining the incident. 
2. If there is a major infraction of the Code of Conduct resulting in a disciplinary action, the executive director will inform the board of directors.