Code of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT

All Participants of AMP Winter Guard (“AMP”) must accept and act in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined within this Code of Conduct.

Definition:
Participant: A person who accepts the performer role, agreed to the contractual and financial obligation of the winter guard season.

By the acceptance of the performer position, participants (“Participants”) agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. A failure to adhere to these standards may subject the Participant to suspension or revocation of any and all association of AMP. AMP also reserves the right to remove said Participant from future participation with AMP.

AMP will not tolerate conduct that impacts negatively on the organization. Participants consider themselves as an ambassador of AMP. You are not only expected to uphold all policies yourself, but to help remind others of them when necessary.

Further, AMP reserves the right to discipline, discharge, or suspend a Participant who engages in, or is alleged to have engaged in unlawful activity to the extent of applicable law.

ALCOHOL

Participants agree to not consume alcohol while with AMP. Violators may receive disciplinary actions, including dismissal or suspension. It is unlawful to bring alcohol onto any school grounds and most arena facilities. Violation of these laws could result in immediate dismissal or suspension.

Any AMP vehicle or transporting AMP personnel/members in vehicles must refrain from consuming any alcohol beverages before or during operation of vehicles.

DRUGS

Participant agrees not to pursue, continue, or engage in the use of, or be under the influence of, illegal or recreational drugs, or prescription medications or substances which may affect his/her ability to function or cause one to be impaired while with AMP. Violators may receive disciplinary actions, including dismissal and referral to law enforcement for violations of the law.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

AMP strictly prohibits all conduct which could pose a threat to the safety of participants. This policy sets forth AMP’s expectation that all individuals associated with AMP-sanctioned events shall report the following kinds of misconduct without exception:

Any misconduct of a sexual nature or potentially classifiable as a sex offense under applicable law, including without limitation so-called “victimless” activities such as prostitution, pornography, and indecent exposure.
Any misconduct in which actual or suggested sexual relations is an element.
Any harassing conduct pertaining to, in whole or in part, an individual’s sex, gender, sexual orientation, or gender expression.
Any conduct involving harm to a minor and/or participant.

Anyone found to have participated in misconduct that threatens the safety of a participant will be disciplined as AMP finds appropriate, up to and including a permanent ban from association with AMP in any capacity, and referral to law enforcement, if appropriate.

NON - DISCRIMINATION

AMP prohibits discrimination against any participant because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.

Anyone who is found after an appropriate investigation to have discriminated against another Participant of AMP will be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions up to including dismissal.

HARASSMENT

Behavior that may be considered inappropriate or may be deemed as harassment is not allowed. Harassment refers to a wide spectrum of offensive behavior. When the term is used in a legal sense, it refers to behaviors that can be found to be threatening or disturbing, and beyond those that are sanctioned by society. Conduct that creates a hostile environment is prohibited. Such conduct may include:

Any harassing conduct pertaining to, in whole or in part, an individual’s sex, gender, sexual orientation or gender expression.
Repeated unwanted sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions
Verbal abuse of a sexual nature
Verbal comments about an individual’s body
Sexually degrading words used to describe an individual
Unwanted physical contact
Cyber-bullying or social media abuse
Any other behavior that is not socially acceptable in a professional environment.

Anyone who is found after an appropriate investigation to have harassed another Participant of AMP will be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions, including dismissal or suspension and referral to law enforcement if appropriate.

ANTI-RETALIATION AND WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY

In an effort to protect all interested parties and address our commitment to integrity and ethical behavior, AMP will not tolerate any retaliation against anyone who makes a good faith report, or threatens to make a good faith report, regarding AMP, another organization, or an individual, whose suspected violation of the law or other violation endangers the health or safety of a participant or the general public.

GENERAL CONDUCT

Our reputation depends on the conduct of all Participants. All those engaged by AMP must play a part in maintaining that reputation to the highest ethical standards. Good manners, courtesy, and common sense are generally all that is required in order to ensure appropriate conduct and behavior. Conduct or language that could be perceived by a reasonable person as being rude, inappropriate, abusive, disorderly, derogatory, immoral, or threatening will not be tolerated.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

AMP respects the right of Participants to use social networking sites on their own time and does not wish to discourage self-publishing or self-expression. Nevertheless, we expect those engaged by AMP to follow applicable guidelines and policies.

Blogging or other forms of social media or technology include but are not limited to video or wiki postings, sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and Twitter, chat rooms, personal blogs or other similar forms of online journals, diaries or personal newsletters not affiliated with AMP.

Our policies prohibit the use of social media to post or display comments that are vulgar, obscene, threatening, intimidating, harassing, or hostile on account of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other basis or characteristic protected by applicable law.
When posting to any website, assume that many people, including coworkers, fans, supporters, performers, parents, school administrators, customers and potential customers, and the media are reading your comments. All parties should be aware of your association with AMP in online media streams. Use common sense, professional judgment, and caution.

Bloggers and commentators are personally responsible for their commentary on blogs and social networking sites. Bloggers and commentators can be held personally liable for commentary that is considered defamatory, obscene, proprietary, or libelous.

It is important to remember that anything posted on the Internet is permanent. Although it can be “taken down”, it may well exist somewhere for years to come and often reach large numbers of people quickly. If misinterpreted or open to misinterpretation, such postings can do incalculable damage to the reputation of individuals, organizations, and AMP.
AMP will use these guidelines to determine whether a Participant has been appropriate in their public online behavior with respect to their AMP-related association. Participants associated with AMP must represent appropriate conduct for a competitive, scholastic-based activity. Violation of these guidelines can lead to disciplinary action including suspension and/or termination.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Participants who are found to be in violation of this Code of Conduct will be subject to further investigation as conducted by the AMP Board of Directors. Based on the circumstances considered, the decision to apply disciplinary action, inclusive of dismissal will be in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of AMP.

The type of action taken depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding each situation. Please note that the corrective action may vary depending on the circumstance. It is important to note that the type of action applied to a participant as well as any prior notice of action is at AMP’s sole discretion.

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

With the continuing increase in the incidence of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 on a global level, the AMP Organization is committed to keeping our members and parent volunteers safe and informed. We understand the importance of health and disease prevention and have adopted the following policies and guidelines to help keep our members safe and healthy.

First and foremost, we encourage members to follow CDC guidelines for protecting themselves from the spread of COVID-19 and other common viruses. Listed below are key recommended actions that can be taken to mitigate the potential spread of the virus:

• Avoid close contact with individuals who present symptoms.
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently and efficiently*.
• When unable to wash with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid sharing food and drinks or participating in other activities that may result in exposure to saliva or secretions.
• Use social distancing strategies inside and outside of practice locations whenever possible.
• Refrain from shaking hands and hugging.

*Consult the CDC page for more specific guidance on proper hand washing and hand sanitizing techniques: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

The following guidelines have been adopted by AMP, and apply to the footprint of the AMP Organization. These guidelines will be continually evaluated and adjusted based on individual events, facilities and other guidelines provided by, and or required by, our facility hosts:

• The responsibility of cleaning/sanitizing the facility (prior and post use) will be based on guidance of the facility and handled by the AMP organization if deemed appropriate.
• All members, staff and volunteers will be required to observe direction from the organization regarding social distancing, wearing of masks, etc. at all events. Any refusal to do so will result in an individual forfeiting participation in the event.
• Physical contact (hugging, shaking hands, etc.) will be avoided.
• Sharing of equipment such as flags, sabers and rifles will be avoided.
• Members should keep their personal effects and equipment clean with disinfectant wipes or use alternative means to sanitize.
• Members attending an event will be required to bring with them their own supply of water and/or snacks as appropriate. The organization will not provide group refreshments. All potlucks and shared food events are to be canceled until further notice.

Additionally, the following will remain in effect indefinitely until additional notification is provided from the Board of Directors:

• DO NOT attend any AMP event if you have any COVID-19 symptoms ( Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea)

• If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms while at practice, inform your Program Director and leave practice immediately. DO NOT return to practice until you are symptom-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.

• DO NOT attend any AMP event if any member of your household has tested positive with COVID-19.

• At the start of every event, members will be asked to complete a brief wellness questionnaire verifying adherence to the above criteria.

Please immediately notify staff and/or Program Directors if any of the above conditions apply. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding isolation and quarantine.

The policies of this Code of Conduct should provide any and all Participants with an understanding of what is considered appropriate or inappropriate behavior. While all possible circumstances are impossible to delineate, those engaged with AMP should not take any chance with the spirit and intent of these guidelines.

* Indicates required field

I have read and accepted the AMP 2022 Code Of Conduct *

First

Last

Choose One *

I am 18 years old or older I am the parent / guardian

If under 18, Parent / Guardian Full Name *

Date *

Submit