The Purpose of the Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct is intended to ensure our club’s activities remain welcoming and inclusive for all. It is here to help guide our members on how to be more self-aware of how their words and actions impact others, so any potential conflicts can be resolved quickly and amicably. Where the Spirit of Curling guides an athlete's on-ice conduct regarding gameplay, this Code of Conduct is intended to complement that, with regards to our members’ behavior and communication towards others (both on and off the ice). It is in that spirit we ask this Code of Conduct be followed and applied. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of things Frogtown Curling members cannot do.
Where This Code is Applied
This Code of Conduct will be enforced inside all spaces managed or organized by Frogtown Curling. This includes, but is not limited to: on-ice activities, club room socializing before and after curling, off-ice social events organized by the club, FTCC Facebook, FTCC mailing lists, and other forms of media communication. This Code of Conduct also covers events in which you are representing FTCC (e.g., bonspiels).
The Spirit of Curling, from the World Curling Federation
Curling is a game of skill and of tradition. A shot well-executed is a delight to see, and it is also a fine thing to observe the time-honoured traditions of curling being applied in the true spirit of the game. Curlers play to win but never to humble their opponents.
A true curler never attempts to distract opponents, nor to prevent them from playing their best, and would prefer to lose rather than to win unfairly.
Curlers never knowingly break a rule of the game, nor disrespect any of its traditions. Should they become aware that this has been done inadvertently, they will be the first to divulge the breach.
While the main object of the game of curling is to determine the relative skill of the players, the spirit of curling demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honorable conduct.
This spirit should influence both the interpretation and the application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice.
Core Values of Frogtown Curling
Along with the Spirit of Curling, Frogtown Curling Club has core values guiding our behavior both on and off the ice. These principles are grounded in our love of the game and our respect for one another. This list of values and the details that follow are not an exhaustive list of rules, but rather guideposts to help you find your way towards positive and inclusive interactions with everyone in FTCC spaces.
Be Respectful
Respect is a fundamental value of our club. Not all of us will agree all the time, but disagreement is no excuse for poor behavior and poor manners. We might all experience some frustration or competitive anger now and then, but we cannot allow that frustration or competitive feeling to turn into a personal attack. It’s important to remember: any community where people feel uncomfortable or threatened does not help grow the sport we all love. Members of Frogtown Curling should be respectful when dealing with other members and non-member participants at FTCC activities.
Be Inclusive
We strive to be a community that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to: members of any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, color, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability.
Be Careful in the Words You Choose
We understand players will often socialize among friends and fellow curlers after league or at bonspiels. You are still representing the club, as well as yourself: err on the side of caution when there are any doubts about your words.
Be Kind to Others
Do not insult or put down other participants. Harassment and other exclusionary behavior are not acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Threatening or intimidating language directed against another person
- Discriminatory jokes and language
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Conduct directed at someone that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety and/or the safety of others, and/or suffer substantial emotional distress
- Sharing sexually explicit or violent material
- Sharing (or threatening to share) other people’s personal information
- Personal insults, especially any using racist or sexist terms, or other such “hate speech”
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
Repeated harassment of others. If someone asks you to stop, then stop.
Alcohol use is not an excuse for harassment, disrespect, or other inappropriate behavior.
Be Friendly and Patient
We understand everyone has different levels of experience and skill on the ice. We all have areas of our game in need of improvement. Frogtown Curling should be a place where people can not only compete, but feel comfortable asking questions and learning along the way. When helping another member grow as a curler, either in their gameplay or their on-ice etiquette, do so with patience, respect, and politeness. Remember: we all were new to the sport at one point, too! If you see someone you think needs help with their curling skills, always ask first before offering advice. Not everyone is always looking for feedback, no matter how well-intentioned. When someone violates the generally accepted etiquette of the game, communicate your concern as politely as possible. If the issue is not urgent, consider discussing the matter after the match or with the player’s skip instead of addressing the player directly.
When We Disagree, Try to Understand Why
Disagreements, both social and competitive, happen all the time. It is important that we resolve disagreements and differing views constructively. Remember: we’re all unique, and there is strength in having a diverse community of people from a wide range of backgrounds. Different people have different perspectives. Being unable to understand why someone holds a certain viewpoint doesn’t mean they’re wrong. To err is human, and blaming each other for a mistake solves nothing. Instead, try to focus on resolving the issue, and learning from it.
Reporting a Code of Conduct Issue
The primary purpose of the Spirit of Curling Committee is conflict resolution. Informal resolution may involve a conversation, an apology, or a mediated discussion. More formal responses may include temporary or permanent revocation of membership for someone violating the code.
If you believe someone is violating the Frogtown Curling Club Code of Conduct, we ask that you report it by filling out our confidential online form or contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
You are also encouraged to report incidents when they happen to any club manager on duty. The staff member can intervene in the moment and may also report the incident to the Committee for documentation and further action as needed.
All reports will be kept confidential. Only members of the Spirit of Curling Committee will receive the reports, who will give them urgent and immediate attention.
If the Committee needs to share information with the FTCC Board of Directors, the reporter's identity will not be divulged before the reporter has agreed to it.
If the act is ongoing, the Committee will take immediate measures to stop it if possible.
In your report please include:
Your contact info (to follow up, if needed)
The names of any individuals involved, and witnesses to the incident
When and where the incident occurred (please be as specific as possible)
Your account of what happened
Any publicly available record (such as a picture, video, email, or screenshot)
Any extra context you believe existed for the incident
If you believe this incident is ongoing
What you feel should be done to resolve this issue
Any other pertinent information you believe the Committee should have
(Note: For incidents involving individuals under the age of 18, the above policy is superseded by USA Curling’s SafeSport policies and procedures. The Spirit of Curling Committee has a duty to immediately report these SafeSport violations involving minors to the FTCC Board of Directors, who in turn have a duty to report to USA Curling. More information can be found in the USA Curling SafeSport Handbook.)
How the Committee Will Respond to Reports
When a report is sent to the Spirit of Curling Committee, they will reply to the complainant to confirm receipt within 24 hours.
See the Reporting Guidelines above for details of what reports should contain. If a report doesn’t contain enough information, the Committee will strive to obtain all relevant data before acting. The Committee is empowered to contact any individuals involved to get a more complete account of events. If an individual chooses not to participate in the investigation, a determination may be made without their participation based on the information the committee is able to obtain.
A minimum of three committee members will participate in any investigation. The Committee will then review the incident and determine, to the best of their ability:
What happened
Whether this event constitutes a Code of Conduct violation
Who, if anyone, was involved in the violation
Whether this is an ongoing situation
This information will be collected in writing and the Committee’s deliberations will be recorded and retained for future Committee use in perpetuity.
The Committee aims to have a resolution very rapidly. If not resolved within a week, it will inform the parties of the planned date.
Matters rising to a level of criminal act will be referred to law enforcement as appropriate.
Resolution
The Spirit of Curling Committee must agree on a resolution by consensus. If the Committee cannot reach a consensus, the Committee will turn the matter over to the FTCC Board of Directors for a resolution.
Responses will be determined by the Committee on the basis of the information gathered and of the potential consequences. Actions the Committee may take without consulting the Board of Directors include:
Taking no further action
Issuing a reprimand or warning
Asking for an apology to affected parties
Facilitating a mediated conversation between the parties involved, if appropriate
The Committee may determine a situation merits a more serious response than a reprimand or apology. For example, the Committee may recommend the FTCC Board of Directors temporarily suspend or permanently revoke an individual’s membership with Frogtown Curling and/or ban them from the club and club events. In these situations, the case and Committee recommendations will be escalated for review and further pursuit by the FTCC Board of Directors.
If a party involved in a Code of Conduct violation disagrees with the Committee’s decision, they may appeal to the FTCC Board of Directors. The Board’s decision will be considered final.
The Committee will never publicly discuss issues referred to them. All public statements, if needed, will be made by the FTCC Board of Directors. FTCC staff may be informed of Code of Conduct violations if necessary to help monitor future behavior and support a safe and welcoming club environment.
Conflicts of Interest
In the event of any conflict of interest (i.e. - Committee or Board members who are personally connected to a situation), the conflicted member must immediately notify the other Committee members and recuse themselves.
The Spirit of Curling Committee
The Frogtown Curling Board of Directors has established the Spirit of Curling Committee (“the Committee”), which will be composed of at least three members.
One member will be designated Chair of the Committee. They are responsible for all reports back to the FTCC Board of Directors.
Appointments to the Committee will last for a fixed term of one year. Members of the Committee are eligible for immediate reappointment to the Committee at the end of their term. The FTCC Board of Directors will review the membership of the Committee annually.
Purpose and Goals
The primary purpose of the Spirit of Curling Committee is conflict resolution.
Frogtown Curling understands not everyone will get along 100% of the time. Minor disagreements are bound to happen. Just as equally, FTCC expects those disagreements to be resolved in a civilized manner. When that does not happen and/or more severe language or behavior is involved, the Spirit of Curling Committee is there to help figure out what happened, and how to best resolve the issue. The Committee can be a resource for anyone unsure about something that happened to them at the club and/or with Frogtown members and how to respond.
To be clear: the Committee is not a task force set out to police people’s behavior, nor is it designed to be used as a weapon by one member to get another they don’t like “in trouble.” It is here to help bridge divides, not widen them.
Questions?
If you have questions, please see the Code of Conduct FAQ. If you don’t find your answer there, please email the Frogtown Spirit of Curling Committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Acknowledgements
This document draws heavily from the Code of Conduct of the Silicon Valley Curling Club, and both adapted and borrowed text is used with permission. SVCC’s document was influenced by Ecma International’s TC39.
Special thanks go out to our friends at the Silicon Valley Curling Club and the Windy City Curling Club for their inspiration, guidance, and assistance in generating and adapting this Code of Conduct.
9/26/23 Revision
