SBS Code of Conduct

South Bay Synergy Policy and Code of Conduct

Updated: January 2025

Mission Statement

South Bay Synergy’s mission is to foster a strong dragon boat community based out of Silicon Valley. We strive to see our paddlers become confident in themselves and grow alongside each other. With trust, respect, and teamwork we want to promote a welcoming, friendly environment for paddlers of all levels.

Code of Conduct

South Bay Synergy is first and foremost a dragon boat team. This Code of Conduct is in place for all South Bay Synergy members to abide by. All members must read, understand, and sign this Code of Conduct as part of their membership on South Bay Synergy. Should the individual fail to follow this Code of Conduct, they will receive a disciplinary action, up to the discretion of the Board, which can result in removal from the team.

Respect/Basic Rules

Members must follow all rules set by the team, race sites, and any dragon boat associations we are operating under.

As stated in our mission statement, we aim to have an inclusive environment. Members are required to treat fellow members and paddlers with kindness and respect regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexuality, or sex/gender identities.

Members will report to the Board or a member of the Board if they experience, see, and/or hear of inappropriate or harmful interactions involving any member(s) of South Bay Synergy.

Members will demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. This is applicable both on and off the water, as well as both within South Bay Synergy and towards other teams.

Transparent and open communication is essential for both Board Members and general members. Board Members will have an open door communication policy and are prepared to talk to any member. In turn, Members must be open and receptive to feedback from the Board. Members can be transparent about any issues, if they feel comfortable. Overall, South Bay Synergy strives to create a safe space for members to express themselves.

Substance Use

Use of any drugs and/or alcohol are not permitted during ANY practice or race with South Bay Synergy.

Use of legal drugs and/or alcohol with South Bay Synergy may only be permitted during socials and post-practice or post-race gatherings. South Bay Synergy wants to promote a safe environment for all members and therefore, members must act responsibly if they plan to intake such substances. This includes abiding by all applicable substance related laws (e.g. No driving under the influence).

Participation in substance use is not mandatory in any way, and members reserve the right to refrain from doing so. As such, peer pressuring one another to take substances such as drugs and/or alcohol, will not be tolerated at South Bay Synergy related functions.

Should ANY member harm any individual at South Bay Synergy related functions where drugs and/or alcohol have been consumed, there WILL be consequences up to the discretion of the Board.

Practice Guidelines and Race Criteria (NEW 2025 POLICY)

The Google Form Practice RSVP is mandatory for all paddlers who plan on attending practice in order to submit manifests, develop organized lineups, and coordinate carpooling in a timely manner. The Google Form Practice RSVP will be locked every Friday at 7 PM.

Carpooling

Rides may be arranged by the Board in the event there is a need by the member going to South Bay Synergy related functions. However, rides are ultimately up to the discretion of the driver. Rides and ride coordination provided by South Bay Synergy Members and Board are a privilege.

Members must be considerate passengers towards their designated driver as drivers offer their personal time and resources (i.e. gas and vehicle maintenance) in order to drive members to practice safely and on time.

Failure to be physically present in a timely manner when the member’s designated driver arrives for pick up will directly result in missing practice, and may lead up to revocation of carpooling privileges entirely based on frequency of this violation.

Practice Attendance

In the event the member cannot make it to practice, please notify a Board Member as soon as possible.

“Excused” practice attendance are applicable to the following: Emergencies, Illness/COVID-19, and work-related obligations. If a member abuses South Bay Synergy’s “excused practice attendance policy”, this will lead to the revocation of this leniency for said member.

Late Policy (NEW 2025 POLICY)

As mentioned previously, the Google Form Practice RSVP will be locked every Friday at 7 PM sharp. Any late RSVP after 7 PM on Fridays will result in a workout punishment at each practice day the member signs up for.

In the event the member is running late to practice, please notify a Board Member as soon as possible.

Because practices are announced ahead of time in a timely manner, there is a zero-tolerance policy for being late to practices.

The first instance of lateness will result in a warning. Subsequent instances of lateness will result in a workout punishment and docking attendance for those participating in race criteria evaluations.

Team Social Policy

South Bay Synergy is first and foremost an adult sports team. As such, to enforce our sports team status and encourage practice attendance, an attendance policy in relation to practices and team-related socials will be implemented. The Board requires all South Bay Synergy members to attend a minimum of 2 practices per month in order to be allowed to attend team socials.

Members who do not comply with this policy may NOT attend team socials until the policy is fulfilled and upheld.

Sick Policy and Communicable Disease Prevention Protocols (NEW 2025 POLICY)

South Bay Synergy members are expected to be courteous and respectful of their fellow teammates and stay home should they have any pre-existing or severe symptoms of an illness. For the health and safety of the team and those in close contact with our team members, members will not be allowed to attend practice, races, and/or any team-related functions if they feel ill OR are currently testing positive for COVID-19 and/or any other communicable diseases. The Board reserves the right to dismiss said member from practice, any races, and/or any team-related functions should they fall under that category.

For the health and safety of the entire team and those in close contact with our team members, members MUST notify the Board as soon as possible if they have tested positive with COVID-19 and/or any other communicable disease(s) and were previously present at any practices, races, and/or South Bay Synergy related functions.

Members will not be allowed to attend any practice, races, or team-related functions until they test completely negative from COVID-19 and/or any other communicable disease(s).

As an additional measure, members are encouraged to stay home for at least a day or two out of an abundance of caution for COVID-19 and/or any other communicable diseases.

If a member is no longer contagious, only demonstrating lingering symptoms of an illness (ie. mild cough, runny nose, etc.), and feels well enough to attend practice through use of good judgment, the Board requests said member to please wear a mask for the duration of the entire practice, any races, and/or any team-related functions until they are fully recovered.

Race Criteria

Race criteria will be set forth by the coach(es) and/or coaching staff and will be announced to every member prior to each race. Race criteria may vary per race depending on the race, member interest, and member feedback. The race criteria evaluations will be objective, allowing all members to have a fair chance in qualifying for the race roster based on their individual efforts.

Outrigger Canoe (OC) Usage (NEW 2025 POLICY)

As of January 2025, South Bay Synergy members have access to two OC2s (one green and one red Huki) for additional training purposes. Any additional OCs acquired by the team during this season will be subject to the same policy below. Please read below for general OC Rules, OC Care and Maintenance, and the OC Availability and Usage Document.

OC Rules

A member of the Board must be present in order to use the OC(s).

Please be respectful to the Board member(s) present and their time.

Spots are dependent on OC and Board member availability and will not always be guaranteed just because Member(s) sign up to use the OC(s).
Safety Liability Clause: By utilizing the OC, you are knowingly putting yourself at risk in the water. South Bay Synergy is not liable for any injuries/death, weather conditions, or any hazardous situations that Member(s) may encounter.

If Member(s) are unable to swim, PFDs MUST be worn.
Member(s) must be aware of weather conditions and use their best judgement PRIOR to OC usage.

Should any Member(s) damage the OC(s), Member(s) will be liable for all damages and repair.

Non-compliance with damage and repair responsibilities will result in the loss of OC privileges and possible removal as a Member from South Bay Synergy.

Member(s) will be expected to assist in cleaning the team OC(s) immediately after usage.
To utilize an OC(s) outside of team training purposes, Member(s) must request and be granted permission from the Board.

OC competitions: If approved by the Board, Member(s) must wear South Bay Synergy approved jerseys. Member(s) must also incorporate “South Bay Synergy/SBS” in the registration boat name (if applicable).

OC Care and Maintenance

Please refer to the OC Availability and Usage Document for more detailed instructions regarding OC care and maintenance.

OC Availability and Usage Document

Link: OC Availability and Usage

Closing Remarks

The Code of Conduct may be revised at any time. The Board will be communicative to all Members about any changes to the Code of Conduct. Please review and follow all instructions provided by the Board after any revision of the Code of Conduct. Signing this Code of Conduct signifies that you, a Member of South Bay Synergy, also consent to accepting and adhering to any new revisions to the Code of Conduct, of which violations of, will be subject to disciplinary action.

South Bay Synergy

Email: southbaysynergy@gmail.com
Discord: South Bay Synergy
Facebook: South Bay Synergy
Instagram: @southbaysynergy