The Madison County Recreation Department endeavors to create a wholesome recreation environment for all participants. The following is a statement of policy designed to encourage all participants to promote good citizenship, instill proper values, and encourage positive leadership skills.

Code of Conduct

The following code applies to all Madison County Recreation Department program participants and users of departmental facilities. All individuals and organizations will be held to this code when using facilities administered by this department. The rights of certain individuals are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and appropriate disciplinary safeguards are allowed to these individuals. Violations will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Expected Behavior

· Be respectful and courteous to staff and other participants.

· Participate in planned activities.

· Follow directions given by staff or their charges.

· Exhibit and maintain positive attitudes toward the environment and facilities.

· Exhibit and maintain respect for all property, facilities and equipment, both public and private.

· Adhere to all rules and regulations.

Unacceptable Behavior

· Abusive language

· Verbal threats

· Physical violence

· Obscene language or gestures, or possession of obscene or suggestive materials or photos

· Vandalism, theft of property or equipment, littering or damaging government property

· Sexual misconduct, indecency or harassment

· Any unlawful activity

· Distribution or consumption of alcohol or controlled substance

· Failure to cooperate with staff and/or leadership

· Possession of weapons of any kind

· Noncompliance with department rules and regulations

· Any other behavior deemed offensive or unacceptable by MCRD staff

Discipline Policy

Noncompliance with the stated policy may result in any of the following actions:

· Parent/guardian notification

· Suspension or expulsion from all department facilities and/or programs

· Criminal trespass citation

· All unlawful activity will be reported to the proper legal authorities for further action.

· Refunds will not be issued for suspension or expulsion from MCRD programs.

Specific Violations

1. Anyone guilty of pushing or striking any player, coach, spectator, official or staff will receive a minimum 3-week suspension from all county recreation department programs or facilities. A second offense within a five-year period will result in a minimum one-year suspension from all county recreation department programs and facilities.

2. Anyone guilty of profanity, either by words or gestures, against other players, coaches, spectators, officials or staff before, during or after a game or practice will receive a minimum of suspension from that game or practice and the following two (2) weeks.

3. Anyone guilty of making threats, either by words or gestures against other players, coaches, spectators, officials or staff before, during or after a game or practice will receive a minimum of suspension from that game or practice and the following two (2) weeks.

4. Anyone guilty of running onto the field or court during a contest or inciting spectators or players to become disorderly during a contest will receive a minimum of suspension from the current game and the next game.

5. Alcohol and controlled substances on park premise and at MCRD events are strictly prohibited.

6. Refusal to leave the premise after being ordered to do so by an agent or employee of MCRD or an authorized league official constitutes criminal trespass and will result in prosecution.

Imposition of Penalties and Appeals

1. Any employee of the Madison County Recreation Department, or official of a league using Recreation Department facilities, may order a person to leave the premises for violation of the Code of Conduct during a game, practice or event.

2. Penalties extending beyond expulsion from the current games or event shall be determined and imposed by the Director of the Madison County Recreation Department. Decisions of the Director shall be rendered in writing and delivered to the violator on the date of the rendering, either by personal delivery, or by placing same in the U.S. Mail, first class, to the violator's last known address.

3. Any representative of the Madison County Recreation Department or a league using recreation department facilities or anyone officiating activities found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct will be subject to receive double the standard penalty.

4. Penalties extending beyond the expulsion from the current game or event may be appealed to the Madison County Parks and Recreation Board, whose decision will be final. An appeal must be in writing and delivered to the Madison County Recreation Department within twenty-four hours of the imposition of the penalty by the department director stating the reason(s) for the appeal and shall include any documentation which might assist the Board of Commissioners in rendering a decision on the appeal. On appeal, the Madison County Parks and Recreation Board may take such action as it deems appropriate within the reasonable exercise of its discretion, including without limitation lessening or increasing the period of suspension.

5. It is recognized that no policy, including this one, can specifically address all possible situations. Therefore, discretion is hereby granted to those persons given decision-making authority under this policy to apply judgment and discretion in addressing situations not described herein; furthermore, such persons are also granted discretion to modify penalties described herein, including the discretion to impose less than the “minimum” penalty, where extraordinary circumstances exist.

(Adopted by the Madison County Board of Commissioners March 8, 2004. Revision approved 2017)