Code of Conduct

The Queen City Roller Girls (QCRG) are Western New York’s First and Premier Flat Track Roller Derby league, and we pride ourselves on being the home of roller derby in our region for both women and men alike.

Our love of Roller Derby means we actively promote it as a fast growing and exciting international sport where part-time skaters and athletes alike can come together over their devotion for the sport, regardless of gender. QCRG is an organization that takes care of its members by encouraging them to reach their full potential, both on and off the track. We provide our members (skating and non-skating) with a safe environment in which to grow their on-skate skills, rules knowledge and love of the sport through hard work and hands-on participation in the league.

QCRG strongly endeavors to contribute to the derby community, both internal and external to our league, by sharing with, learning from, contributing to and respecting the greater community of roller derby, primarily through our membership in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

General Member Code of Conduct

1. Make sure you have read and are familiar with QCRG's Bylaws and this Code of Conduct document as you will be held accountable for your actions according to the these guidelines, or you may be subject to disciplinary action.

2. You must provide the league with updated emergency and personal contact information.

3. You must ensure you have signed the WFTDA Confidentiality Agreement, along with the QCRG Confidentiality Agreement, Consent to Perform Criminal Background History Check, as well a copy of this Code of Conduct.

4. Where there is an unusual or significant hazard in your presence or affecting your participation, you will bring it to the attention of a Board Member or Official immediately.

5. You may not take part in media opportunities in which you would be publicly representing QCRG without support of the Public Relations Committee; this support is based on adherence to the official QCRG Communication Policy.

6. All league members should practice good sportsmanship at all times.

   1. Play by the rules. Never argue with an official. If you disagree, ask your team Captain to deal with the matter.

   2. Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other athletes, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in our sport.

   3. Work hard for the league to assist in growth and sustainability

   4. Treat all league members as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another member or you may be subject to the league grievance policy.

   5. Cooperate with your Coaches, Captains, Teammates, Officials and other participants. Without them there would be no competition.

   6. Discuss questions/concerns/problems openly and rationally.

   7. Adhere to any requirements for bouting, promotional opportunities and public events as set out by the Board, Committees, Team Leadership and Officials

7. QCRG should always create a welcoming and supportive environment for every member.

   1. Treat everyone with respect and do not discriminate.

   2. Every league member should be given a fair go, receive encouragement and be treated with the same amount of respect that you would expect to receive yourself.

   3. Visiting Participants, Coaches, Officials and Spectators are also asked to respect our Codes of Behavior. This includes, but is not limited to, our Training Policy, Bylaws and Code of Conduct.

Skaters and Players Code of Conduct

1. Skaters must support a safe environment during practices and bouts. This includes:

   1. Supply and wear your own skates and protective gear whenever skating in a league training session or event including, but not limited to, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, mouthguard and helmet. All gear should be appropriate to the sport, in good working order and should not pose a threat to any other player.

   2. All skates and gear must be “track-safe,” which means that their use must not gash, indent or blemish the skating surface or any other surface, and that the skates will not cause injury to property or person(s).

   3. Providing medical information to the appropriate parties pertaining to your individual ability to participate in training and competition.

   4. Skaters who are injured or not fit to participate must keep the appropriate parties informed of any injuries sustained in and outside of skating, and in failing to do so, skate at their own risk.

   5. Respect your fellow league members

2. All Skaters should meet the skills requirements set forth by the Training Committee before they are allowed to scrimmage, bout, or attend training sessions at a higher level than their assessed ability.

   1. Skaters should be willing to take direction/suggestions from coaches, team captains or trainers about skills and game rules.

   2. Skaters should also make an effort to learn new skills and be committed to improving themselves and their league mates as athletes and teammates.

   3. Skaters should not put themselves in the position of skating above their assessed ability in regards to contact drills or scrimmaging activities, nor should they be engaged in such activities without the appropriate supervision and direction.

   4. Skaters should respect the opinion of the Training Committee in regards to their individual capacity to train at certain levels (i.e. If skills are assessed as having fallen below bout-ready standard).

3. Skaters will be required to meet Attendance Requirements and any mandatory meetings as required by the League or their respective team(s).

4. Skaters are required to not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs when on skates. It is also inappropriate when representing the league or when actively participating in QCRG activities unless otherwise deemed appropriate by the Board.

5. Skaters are encouraged to choose a derby name and team number that is not already taken, is not offensive and does not reflect poorly on QCRG.

Board Members Code of Conduct

1. Involve members in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the League wherever possible.

2. Ensure that equal opportunities for the participation in our sport are made available to all members regardless of ability, sex, size, shape, religion, beliefs or ethnic origin.

3. Ensure that equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the ability levels of participating members.

4. Along with the Training Committee, ensure that adequate supervision is provided by qualified and competent coaches and officials capable of developing appropriate positive behavior and skill technique.

5. Encourage members to realize their potential athletic ability as individuals, and as team players.

6. Distribute and enforce the Code of Conduct requirements pertaining to league members and other relevant parties.

7. QCRG encourages and promotes the interaction of its members with other leagues, both nationally and internationally. QCRG expects that you will be professional and respectful in your interactions with other leagues and asks that you adhere to the following: a. Interleague communication is undertaken by the appropriate Committees and the QCRG Board. All correspondence regarding QCRG league-related matters is to originate from an official QCRG email account and not from member's personal email accounts.

8. Respect the roles of the Committee Heads as elected, and work within the guidelines of these positions, except where requested by Committee leadership.

9. Enforce fiscal responsibility amongst league entities to ensure financial viability.

Officials Code of Conduct

1. Encourage all participants, promoting positivity and fostering an environment conducive to learning.

2. Be consistent, objective, and courteous in calling all infractions.

3. Condemn unsporting behavior and promote respect for all participants.

4. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate.

5. Ensure that your behavior is consistent with the principals of good sporting behavior.

6. Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound officiating principals, and learning the rules as set out by the most current WFTDA Official Rules document.

Coaches and Trainers Code of Conduct

1. Be reasonable in your demands on athlete's time, energy and enthusiasm.

2. Teach athletes that the rules of the sport are mutual agreements, which no one has the right to break at the risk of another person's safety.

3. Remember that members participate for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of the enjoyment. Teams/Skaters must never be ridiculed for making mistakes or losing an event.

4. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate.

5. Develop and encourage respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and other coaches.

6. Commit to keeping yourself informed of sound coaching principals and innovative coaching techniques.

7. Demonstrate appropriate social behavior, by not harassing athletes, other coaches or officials, or being intoxicated at any league training or competitive event.

In general, QCRG league members should work towards portraying the organization in a positive light. Be yourself, be unique, but please be mindful that your actions, when engaged in roller derby or an affiliated event, will reflect on QCRG as a whole. If it is deemed that you have in any way placed the league's reputation, credibility, sustainability, culture, atmosphere and/or overall community at risk you may be subject to disciplinary action.

Any skater found in violation of this Code of Conduct may have their membership reviewed by the QCRG Board, and action, such as a formal warning or exclusion from league activities may be taken.

Confidentiality Agreement

It is understood and agreed to that the Discloser (QC Roller Girls, Inc., and all designated representatives of QC Roller Girls, Inc.) and the Recipient would like to exchange certain information that may be considered confidential.

To ensure the protection of such information and in consideration of the agreement to exchange said information, the parties agree as follows:

1. The confidential information to be disclosed by Discloser under this Agreement (”Confidential Information”) can be described as and includes:
   
   Competitive sports and business information relating to Discloser’s proprietary ideas, patentable ideas copyrights and/or confidential trade practices, existing and/or contemplated products and services, schematics, research and development, production, costs, profit and margin information, finances and financial projections, customers, clients, marketing, membership and current or future business plans and models, regardless of whether such information is designated as “Confidential Information” at the time of its disclosure.
   
   In addition to the above, Confidential Information shall also include, and the Recipient shall have a duty to protect, other confidential and/or sensitive information which is (a) disclosed by Discloser in writing and marked as confidential (or with other similar designation) at the time of disclosure; and/or (b) disclosed by Discloser in any other manner and identified as confidential at the time of disclosure and is also summarized and designated as confidential in a written memorandum delivered to Recipient within thirty (30) days of the disclosure.
   
   
2. Recipient shall use the Confidential Information only for the purposes of QC Roller Girls, Inc.
   
   
3. Recipient shall limit disclosure of Confidential Information within its own organization to its directors, officers, partners, members and/or employees having a need to know and shall not disclose Confidential Information to any third party (whether an individual, corporation, or other entity) without the prior written consent of Discloser.
   
   Recipient shall have satisfied its obligations under this paragraph if it takes affirmative measures to ensure compliance with these confidentiality obligations by its employees, agents, consultants and others who are permitted access to or use of the Confidential Information.
   
   
4. This Agreement imposes no obligation upon Recipient with respect to any Confidential Information (a) is or becomes a matter of public knowledge through no fault of Recipient; (b) is rightfully received by Recipient from a third party not owing a duty of confidentiality to the Discloser; (c) is disclosed without a duty of confidentiality to a third party by, or with the authorization of, Discloser; or (d) is independently developed by Recipient.
   
   
5. Discloser warrants that he/she has the right to make the disclosures under this Agreement.
   
   
6. This Agreement shall not be construed as creating, conveying, transferring, granting or conferring upon the Recipient any rights, license or authority in or to the information exchanged, except the limited right to use Confidential Information specified in paragraph 2. Furthermore and specifically, no license or conveyance of any intellectual property rights is granted or implied by this Agreement.
   
   
7. Both parties acknowledge and agree that the exchange of information under this Agreement shall not commit or bind either party to any present or future contractual relationship (except as specifically stated herein), nor shall the exchange of information be construed as an inducement to act or not to act in any given manner.
   
   
8. If there is a breach or threatened breach of any provision of this Agreement, it is agreed and understood that Discloser shall have no adequate remedy in money or other damages and accordingly shall be entitled to injunctive relief; provided however, no specification in this Agreement of any particular remedy shall be construed as a waiver or prohibition of any other remedies in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.
   
   
9. This Agreement states the entire agreement between the parties concerning the disclosure of Confidential Information and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, or representations with respect thereto. Any addition or modification to this Agreement must be made in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties. This Agreement is made under and shall be construed according to the laws of the State of New York, U.S.A. In the event that this agreement is breached, any and all disputes must be settled in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York, U.S.A.
   
   
10. If any of the provisions of this Agreement are found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall be enforced as fully as possible and the unenforceable provision(s) shall be deemed modified to the limited extent required to permit enforcement of the Agreement as a whole.

Model Release

I agree to be photographed, recorded and videotaped by the Queen City Roller Girls and its agents (“Company”) in connection with my participation in or attendance at any Queen City Roller Girls event.

I hereby irrevocably authorize Company and its affiliates to copyright, publish, reproduce, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, televise, digitize, display, otherwise use, and permit others to use, (a) my name (derby name and real name), image, likeness, and voice, and (b) all photographs, recordings, videotapes, audiovisual materials, writings, statements, and quotations of or by myself (collectively, the “Materials”), in any manner, form, or format whatsoever now or hereinafter created, including on the Internet, and for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising or promotion of Company, its affiliates, or their services, without further consent from or payment to me.

It is understood that all of the Materials, and all films, audiotapes, videotapes, reproductions, media, plates, negatives, photocopies, and electronic and digital copies of the Materials, are the sole property of Company. I agree not to contest the rights or authority granted to Company hereunder. I hereby forever release and discharge Company, its employees, licensees, agents, successors, and assigns from any claims, actions, damages, liabilities, costs, or demands whatsoever arising by reason of defamation, invasion of privacy, right of publicity, copyright infringement, or any other personal or property rights from or related to any use of the Materials. I understand that Company is under no obligation to use the Materials.

This document contains the entire agreement between the Company and the undersigned concerning the subject matter hereof.

This permission will exist forever unless I revoke the permission in writing sent to Queen City Roller Girls, 403 Main Street, Suite 250, Buffalo, NY 14203.