Parent/Guardian's Code of Conduct

Parents and guardians will understand that Flowers Crossing and its activities are for the benefit of children. The goals of the GCSL include helping young people establish a love for the sport of swimming, while developing advanced aquatic skills, teamwork, and the principles of good sportsmanship. To accomplish these goals, parents/guardians must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with creating a positive experience for children and their families.

As a Parent or Guardian of a child registered with a GCSL member team, you are responsible for the conduct of your guests and other family members. GCSL teams will not tolerate a parent or guardian yelling at or belittling a child, an official, coach or other parent or guardian in any way.

As an adult and role model, children are influenced by my words and actions. I agree to the following:

1. I will remember that all children participate to have fun and that competition is for youth, not adults.
2. I will be a positive role model for children and will encourage them to reach the highest levels of sportsmanship and to follow the rules.
3. I will be respectful and courteous of others, and will support and encourage swimmers, officials, team representatives, and coaches through my positive actions and attitude.
4. I will recognize that meet officials are volunteers and will treat them with the same respect that I would expect if I were in that position.
5. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike behavior with an official, coach, swimmer, or parent/guardian such as arguing, booing, taunting, or using profane language or gestures.
6. I will teach my child to treat other swimmers, coaches, team representatives, and officials with respect regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender, or ability.
7. I will not be aggressive or hostile towards another individual and will teach my child to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence or argument.
8. I will not ridicule or yell at my child or any other participant for making a mistake and will not hold a specific child responsible for losing a competition.
9. I will respect and support the team representatives’, officials’ and coaches’ authority during meets and will never argue with, question, discuss, or confront officials or coaches.
10. I will support a swimming environment for my child that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at all team events.  I understand that breaking these rules will result in my removal from the pool deck.
11. I promise to help my child enjoy the summer swimming experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectable fan, volunteering at meets, and helping with other team activities.
12. I will do my best to make swimming fun for all children.

Swimmer's Code of Conduct

1. I will do my best to listen and learn from my coaches.
2. I will attend every practice and meet that I can and will notify my coach if I cannot.
3. I will treat my coaches, other swimmers, officials and fans with respect regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender or abilities and I will expect to be treated accordingly.  I understand that there will be consequences for misbehaviors that may include missing practice, meets, or removal from the team.
4. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike behavior with any official, coach, swimmer or other parent/guardian such as arguing, booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
5. I will encourage my own parents or guardians to engage in good sportsmanship.
6. I will expect to be treated fairly over the course of a season with regard to meet entries and recognize that certain meets are more competitive than others.
7. I deserve to have fun during my swimming experience and will alert parents/guardians or coaches if there are problems or it stops being fun.
8. I deserve to play in an environment that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and expect adults to refrain from their use at all swim meets.
9. I will remember that meets are an opportunity to learn and have fun.

FCST By-laws 

Article 1 

Name and Location

Section 1. The Flower Crossing Swim Team (FCST) is known as the Flowers Crossing Mighty Marlins.

Section 2. FCST’s home meets are held at The Kids Town Hall, 1210 Providence Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30044.

Article 2

Purpose

Section 1. The primary purpose of the FCST is to provide an opportunity to compete in an organized swim league.

Section 2. Objectives of the Flowers Crossing Swim Team (FCST) are the following: 

a. Have fun;

b. Improve swimming abilities; 

c. Gain confidence;

d. Experience teamwork;
e. Learn competitive spirit.

Section 3. All efforts will be made to cooperate and communicate with both the Flowers Crossing and the Flowers Crossing at the Mill Boards of Directors and designated committees.

Article 3 

Affiliation

The FCST will be affiliated with the Gwinnett County Swim League. The FCST supports the purpose of the league and agrees to comply with the league rules and regulations.

Article 4 

Membership

Section 1. Swimmer eligibility:
a. Must be 18 or younger on June 1st of current season; b. Must complete waivers provided by the GCSL;
c. Must not have any outstanding fees owed.

Article 5 

Membership Fees

Section 1. The FCST fees will be established by the FCST Board of Directors, and communicated before registration begins. Membership fees must be paid prior to becoming a member of the team.

Section 2. Should a swimmer be determined not to meet the criteria established in Article 4 after payment has been submitted, the fees will be rebated in accordance to a schedule determined by the Board.

Section 3. The Board may impose a non-volunteer fee on a member family if volunteering requirements are not met.

Article 6
The Board of Directors

Section 1. The purpose of the FCST Board of Directors is to govern the team. Day-to-day decisions are relegated to the Swim Director and Swim Head Coach. The Board of Directors sets policy, budget, direction, and hires the Swim Director and oversees the hiring of the Swim Coach.

Section 2. The FCST Board shall be comprised of at least 5 members, with a majority of the board being Flowers Crossing/Flowers Crossing At The Mill residents.

Section 3. The number of members shall always be odd and shall not exceed 9 members.

Section 4. The Board will vote on the nominations for Director roles. The President will break any ties if necessary. If the President steps down the Board will vote on a current Director to be named President. If behavior of a board member is deemed detrimental to the team, any board member may request removal of said board member. The President then chooses whether or not to vote on the removal.

Section 5. Responsibilities of Officers:

a. President
i. Preside over board meetings. Management of funds in conjunction and in full transparency.
ii. Must be a resident of Flowers Crossing or Flowers Crossing At The Mill

b. Members-at-large
i. Hires Swim Director, oversees hiring of Swim Head Coach and acts as a liaison for the team.
ii. Accountable for management of funds along with the President.
iii. Financial reports to the board, including annual statement and proposed budget.
iv. Provides cash to concessions lead prior to home meets and deposits funds after the meet.
v. Manages checkbook reconciliation, receipts, payments, and deposits.
vi. Records all minutes of any meetings concerning FCST.
vii. Assists with fundraising

Section 6 Quorum

At last 50% of Directors will constitute a quorum.

Section 6 Board Meetings

Board Meetings are held in an ad hoc fashion. More frequent meetings occur each spring closer to the season onset.

Article 7 

Amendment of Bylaws

Section 1. Amendment of these Bylaws may be made by the Board, with a majority of ballot cast to enact any amendment.

Article 8 

Conflict of Interest

Section 1. Whenever a Director has a financial or personal interest in any matter coming before the Board of Directors, the affected person shall a) fully disclose the nature of the interest and b) withdraw from the discussion, lobbying, and voting on the matter. Any transaction or vote involving a potential conflict of interest shall be approved only when a majority of disinterested Directors determine that it is in the best interest of the team to do so. The minutes of meetings at which such votes are taken shall record such disclosure, abstention and rationale for approval.

Copy edit - 2019