Common use of GENERAL CONTENT Clause in Contracts

GENERAL CONTENT. All communications between a coach or other adult and an athlete must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities and it is recommended to include the parents/guardians. The content and intent of all electronic communications must adhere to the USA Volleyball Code of Conduct regarding Athlete Protection. For example, as with any communication with an athlete, electronic communication should not contain or relate to any of the following: - Drugs or alcohol use; - Sexually-oriented conversation; sexually explicit language, sexual activity - The adult’s personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems; and - Inappropriate or sexually explicit pictures. - Note: Any communication concerning an athlete’s personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues or personal problems must be transparent, accessible and professional. Whether one is an athlete, coach, board member or parent, the guiding principle to always use in communication is to ask: “Is this communication something that someone else would find appropriate or acceptable in a face-to-face meeting?” or “Is this something you would be comfortable saying out loud to the intended recipient of your communication in front of the intended recipient’s parents, the coaching staff, the board or other athletes?” With respect to electronic communications, a simple test that can be used in most cases is whether the electronic communication with athletes is Transparent, Accessible and Professional.