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Leadership Eligibility and Service Policy

The strength of the gymnastics community depends in large part on the professionals, volunteers, and other dedicated individuals who serve in critical leadership positions across the sport. As they help set policy, educate the community, weigh in on governance, and take part in a myriad of other critical tasks, these leaders set an example for everyone in the sport. Because of that, those who serve in these roles must meet certain qualifications and uphold the USA Gymnastics core values and mission.

USAG Leaders:

A “USAG Leader” includes:

  • Directors and Officers of the organization;
  • Any individual serving on a USA Gymnastics committee, including standing committees listed in USA Gymnastics’ bylaws, special committees of the Board, Designated Committees (as defined in the USOPC’s bylaws), and national, regional, or state level committees;
  • Any individual serving in the following roles, to the extent that the role is controlled by USA Gymnastics: international representatives of USA Gymnastics, national coaching staff members/clinicians, medical personnel (whether staff or volunteer), independent contractors with leadership responsibilities for USA Gymnastics, meet directors, meet referees, or USA Gymnastics University course instructors;
  • Any individual serving in any elected or appointed position for a USA Gymnastics state or region; and
  • Any individual serving in any other leadership role, including without limitation any role in which the individual, by virtue of his or her responsibilities on behalf of USA Gymnastics, is reasonably expected to uphold the highest standards of judgment, ethics, and community service.

Commitments of USAG Leaders

  • All USAG Leaders must advance USA Gymnastics’ mission to create a community and culture of health, safety, and excellence, where athletes can thrive in sport and in life.
  • Within gymnastics, USAG Leaders must embody the core values of Safety, Accountability, Integrity, Transparency, and Listening. Most importantly, all USAG Leaders must prioritize the protection of athletes from harm.

Minimum Qualifications for USAG Leaders

Every USAG Leader must at all times while serving as a USAG Leader:

  • Be 18 years of age or older;
  • Be an active member of USA Gymnastics;
  • Be eligible to work in the United States;
  • Complete and pass USA Gymnastics’ required criminal background screening;
  • Complete and pass the U110: US Center for SafeSport Core Course;
  • Complete and pass all USA Gymnastics’ educational courses required for membership;
  • Complete and sign the USAG Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form;
  • Sign the USAG Confidentiality Form; and
  • Possess the highest standards of judgment, ethics, and community service.

Ineligibility for a USAG Leader role:

An individual may not serve as a USAG Leader if he or she:

  • Fails to meet any of the minimum qualifications stated above at any time while serving as a USAG Leader;
  • Fails to complete and pass USA Gymnastics’ required criminal background screening;
  • Fails to complete and pass the U110: US Center for SafeSport Core Course;
  • Does not complete and sign the Conflict of Interest or Confidentiality Forms;
  • Has served, or is serving, a significant period (i.e., a year or more) of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation;
  • Violates USA Gymnastics’ Conflict of Interest Policy and the Ethics & Grievance Committee determines that the violation warrants removal from the leadership position;
  • Violates USA Gymnastics’ Safe Sport Policy, USA Gymnastics’ Code of Ethical Conduct, or the SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement (“the Code”), as determined by either USA Gymnastics or the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and such violation results in any of the following: a no contact directive (whether interim or final); termination or revocation of membership (whether interim or final); permanent ineligibility for membership; or any other outcome (whether interim or final) that calls into question the individual’s qualifications as a USAG Leader, including the individual’s standards of judgment, ethics, and community service;
  • Is under investigation for an alleged violation of any of the policies listed in the above bullet and is under an interim or restrictive measure because of such investigation; provided, however, USAG may also, in its reasonable discretion, determine a USAG Leader under an investigation is ineligible to serve in a leadership capacity even when an interim or restrictive measure is not put in place if such removal or restriction is appropriate for the safety or comfort of current participants;
  • Is currently on either (a) the list of Permanently Ineligible and Ineligible Members and Participants, (b) List of Suspended and Restricted Persons, or (c) the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database; or
  • Has any felony conviction, is considered a “sexual offender” by any jurisdiction or has any record of a conviction or no contest plea for any violation related to sexual misconduct or child abuse.

USAG Leaders’ Duty to Disclose

  • USAG Leaders, and individuals under consideration for a USAG Leader role, have an affirmative and ongoing duty throughout their role to disclose any facts, circumstances, or other information that may be relevant to their eligibility, qualifications, or ability to serve as a USAG Leader.
  • This duty to disclose includes, without limitation, any facts, circumstances, or other information that may be relevant to the following:
    • The Minimum Qualifications for USAG Leaders stated above;
    • Any of the circumstances outlined in the Ineligibility for a USAG Leader role section above;
    • The Commitments of USAG Leaders stated above; and
    • Any judgment/adjudication/violation or comparable disposition of a legal or administrative proceeding (including without limitation any hearing process utilized by another NGB) that is inconsistent with the principles and expectations of a USAG Leader that are described above.
  • USA Gymnastics’ Ethics and Grievance Committee will receive disclosures under this Policy.

Determinations of Eligibility to Serve as a USAG Leader

USA Gymnastics will determine whether an individual is qualified and able to serve as a USAG Leader. If an individual disputes USA Gymnastics’ determination, then the Ethics & Grievance Committee will resolve that dispute.