Code of Conduct

How we expect runners, parents, coaches, and volunteers to treat each other.

Last updated: May 18, 2026.

Why we have one

Whitewater Run Club is a youth-first club. The conduct standard for adults around our youth runners has to be higher than just “be nice.” This document sets that floor and makes the reporting paths explicit.

Who this applies to

Everyone connected to a club activity: members, parents and guardians, coaches and assistant coaches, volunteers, board members, sponsors, and guests. It applies at meetups, races, club-sponsored social events, on club online channels (email, social media, group chats), and any travel a club coach or board member is supervising.

Core expectations

  1. Respect each other. No harassment, slurs, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
  2. Run honest. No cheating in club workouts or races. No course-cutting, no falsifying times, no doping (USATF anti-doping rules apply to USATF events).
  3. Coach within scope. Coaches and volunteers are not licensed therapists, dietitians, or physicians. We coach running; we refer to qualified professionals for everything else.
  4. No retaliation. Anyone who reports a violation in good faith — or who participates in an investigation — will not be retaliated against. Retaliation is itself a violation.
  5. Follow the law. Wisconsin and federal law applies. The club doesn’t relax it.

Youth-specific rules (mandatory for any adult around our youth runners)

These are non-negotiable. Violation triggers immediate suspension pending investigation.

  • No one-on-one situations. Adults must not be alone with a minor who is not their own child at club activities. Two-deep supervision (two unrelated adults) is the standard. If unavoidable, then the adult and child must be in an open, observable, and interruptable location at all times—no closed doors or hidden corners.
  • No private digital contact. Adults must not direct-message or text individual minors. All communication with minors goes through the parent or guardian, or through a group channel where another adult is present.
  • No transportation alone. Coaches and volunteers do not drive a minor home alone. Parents arrange pickup.
  • No physical contact beyond reasonable coaching. Brief, public, training-related contact is fine (correcting form, congratulatory handshake). Anything else is not.
  • SafeSport. All adults in a coaching or supervisory role must complete U.S. Center for SafeSport training annually and pass a background check before working unsupervised with youth.
  • Mandatory reporting. Coaches and board members are designated reporters. Any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect is reported to Walworth County Health & Human Services and/or law enforcement, in addition to the club process.

Anti-harassment and anti-discrimination

We don’t tolerate harassment in any form. That includes:

  • Unwanted physical contact or sexual advances
  • Slurs, jokes, or comments that target a protected class
  • Stalking or persistent unwanted contact in person or online
  • Display or distribution of sexually explicit material at club activities
  • Hazing of any kind, including any practice that demands new members or younger runners endure embarrassment or risk to “earn” inclusion

Drugs, alcohol, and weapons

  • No alcohol at any youth meetup or youth event. Adult community runs may include a post-run social with alcohol; participation is optional and 21+.
  • No illegal drugs at any club activity.
  • No weapons at any club activity.

How to report a concern

You can use any of these paths. Pick whichever feels safest.

Path Use when Contact
Coach or board member you trust The issue is small or you want guidance Any board member or coach
Club president The issue is significant or involves a coach [email protected] (to be created)
Designated conduct contact You want an adult who is not in the chain of command [email protected] (to be created)
Anonymous web form You don’t want to identify yourself (to be built)
Outside authorities Child safety, crime, immediate danger 911; Walworth County Dept. of Health & Human Services; U.S. Center for SafeSport (1-833-587-7233 for sport-related abuse)

You are never required to go through internal channels before contacting law enforcement, SafeSport, or another authority.

What happens after a report

  1. Acknowledgment within 3 days that the report was received.
  2. Confidential intake interview with the reporter (if known).
  3. Pre-investigation safety measures if the report involves a minor: the subject is suspended from contact with youth pending review.
  4. Investigation by a panel of at least two board members not personally involved.
  5. Decision and notice to the reporter and the subject within 30 days.
  6. Right of appeal to the full board within 14 days of the decision.

Possible consequences

Depending on severity: verbal warning, written warning, suspension from a season, expulsion from the club, banishment from the property, report to USATF, report to SafeSport, report to law enforcement, civil liability.

Confidentiality

Reports are kept confidential to the maximum extent reasonable given the need to investigate and protect others. We cannot promise total anonymity if law or court order compels disclosure, but we will tell you in advance if that becomes necessary.

Acknowledgment

By participating in any WRC activity, you acknowledge that you have read this code, agree to follow it, and accept that the club may apply the consequences above for violations. For minors, the parent or guardian signs this acknowledgment on the participation form.

Questions about this code? Email [email protected].