Training Sites & Community Partnerships
U.S. Olympic Committee
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
719-866-4868 [phone]
719-866-2169 [fax]
COMMUNITY
PARTNER
COMMUNITY PARTNER
DESIGNATION PLAN
An outline of the benefits of the Community Partner Designation
and the necessary criteria for receiving the designation from the
U.S. Olympic Committee
MISSION
To support and promote the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement through hosting NGB/HPMO national and international events, supporting Community Olympic Development Programs (CODPs), Paralympic Sport Clubs or U.S. Olympic and/or Paralympic Training Sites in their community as well as promoting USOC sport outreach initiatives.
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY PARTNER DESIGNATION?
A community initiative to create, host and support the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), National Governing Body (NGB), High Performance Management Organization/U.S. Paralympics (HPMO), U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, Community Olympic Development Program and Paralympic Sport Club events and activities.
Community sports organizations, including Sports Commission and Convention and Visitor’s Bureaus with proven track records of supporting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement are eligible for this designation.
The purpose of the agreement between the USOC and the Local Operator is to foster increased collaboration between NGBs/ HPMOs and the Local Operator, activate community resources, collaborate with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Sites, Community Olympic Development Programs (CODP) and Paralympic Sport Clubs (PSC), enhance high quality programs for Team USA athletes, and maximize scope of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
The designation integrates the local operator into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic system, including the use of a Community Partner mark, and provides resources to the community such as an annual meeting, NGB and HPMO connections and Olympic Day hosting opportunities. Each Community Partner works directly with a USOC staff liaison who assists with communication, provides information on USOC grants and opportunities, as well as provides assistance with program needs.
GOALS OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM DESIGNATION
1. Increase collaborative efforts between NGBs/HPMOs and community sports groups
2. Create partnerships between the Community Partner and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Sites, Community Olympic Development Programs and Paralympic Sport Clubs
3. Encourage communities to bid on and potentially host national and international events 4. Recognize communities that invest in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement
BENEFITS OF A COMMUNITY PARTNER DESIGNATION
1. Integration of your local sports organization/community into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement 2. National recognition for developing, hosting and supporting Team USA
3. Partnership with the USOC and access to USOC resources and information 4. NGB, HPMO, Training Site, CODP or PSC Partnership
5. Use of Community Partner logo, increasing visibility nationally and within the community
6. Development of relationships with USOC staff, NGBs, HPMOs, USOC Partners, and Multi-Sport Organizations 7. Media exposure
9. Website recognition 10. Promotional materials 11. Volunteer Opportunities 12. Dedicated USOC Staff Liaisons 13. Olympic Day hosting opportunities 14. Job postings on teamusa.org
15. Connection with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Alumni Association
Role of Each Partner:
Community Partners will provide:
- Host one NGB/HPMO or U.S. Olympic and Paralympic event per year to promote and support NGBs/HPMOs, Training Sites, CODPs, Paralympic Sport Clubs (PSCs) and other community sports organizations
- Host one NGB/HPMO National Event or International event every 4 years
- Provide $5000 worth of support (financial/VIK/facility rental and/or staff time) annually to a local USOC-designation Paralympic Sport Club (PSC), Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) or U.S. Olympic and or Paralympic Training Site
- Working with local community organizations, host 3 events in local schools promoting the Olympic/Paralympic Movement annually
- Assistance with best-effort negotiations for local accommodations, dining establishments and venues for USOC, NGB/ HPMO and Multi-Sport Organization (MSO) events not to be in conflict with any USOC Partner or Sponsor
- Promote and host Olympic Day, including media coverage and school outreach
- Promote and support USOC Olympic and Paralympic initiatives by sending out to the CP database including but not limited to Olympic Day, Youtube channel, Facebook, FLAME, Olympic Alumni Programs, Safe Sport, Diversity and Inclusion as well as future USOC initiatives
- Link to teamusa.org on Community Partner website
- Participation in annual Community Partner meeting and initiatives created by the Community Partner group - Annual report (using USOC template provided) outlining the USOC support and criteria listed above
USOC will provide:
- Community Partner designation, Olympic mark and usage guidelines - USOC recognition via website, printed materials, etc.
- Annual Community Partner meeting to be held in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Assembly. USOC will waive the registration fee and Community Partner will be responsible for travel costs
- USOC Staff Liaison in the Training Sites and Community Partnerships division
- Connection to Olympic and Paralympic family such as NGBs/HPMOs, MSOs, Training Sites, CODPs, PSCs and Olympic and Paralympic Alumni Associations
ELIGIBLE COMMUNITIES
Community sports organizations, including Sports Commission and Convention and Visitor’s Bureaus with proven track records of supporting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Communities must have a history of hosting national and international NGB or International Federation (IF) events to be considered for the Community Partner designation.
The USOC will only consider past Community Partners for the designation in 2014 with plans to review other community applications starting in 2015 based on the success of the 2014 program.
MARKETING AND FUNDRAISING
Community Partners shall have access to a Community Partner logo. Based upon USOC approval utilizing the Olymarcs online approval system, Local Operators are eligible to utilize the Community Partner mark in the following ways noting that no third party logos or associations can be used with the Community Partner brand:
- Website recognition
- Removable Signage at approved NGB/HMPO/USOC/Training Site/CODP/PSC events - Business Card
- Give-a-ways/Gifting at approved NGB/HMPO/USOC/Training Site/CODP/PSC events
Any item utilizing the pre-approved Community Partner logo use must be purchased via a USOC Licensee/Vendor. Any other outside vendor use will result in the automatic termination of the Community Partner designation.
Fundraising:
The Community Partner logo and brand cannot be utilized for any fundraising purposes.
The Local Operator will have the ability to raise funds on its own for the partnering organization’s existing programs and events and therefore, should maintain its own identity.
APPLICATION OVERVIEW
In order to be considered for a Community Partner designation, all interested communities should provide a business plan with the following information in this order:
Contact Information:
- Community Sport Organization Name - Main Contact Person
- Address - Office Phone - Email - Website
Current Program Information:
- Mission Statement - Roster of Board Members
- Executive Summary (provide a background on the organization)
- Vision (what the program hopes to accomplish and provide to athletes/NGBs/HPMOs/Training Sites/CODPs/PSCs in the next 5-10 years)
- Event information (what events have you hosted/supported?)
- Community Sport Programs (provide a list and explanation of all major sport initiatives and partnerships, demonstrating the program’s commitment to developing or expanding community sport programs and grow sport in the United States. Please also include any partner organizations involved in sport initiatives, i.e. schools, etc.)
- Facilities Description (what athletic facilities are available in the community)
- Current Goals and Objectives of the Sport Organization (may be part of your strategic plan or goals for the next two years) - Do you perform background checks on those staff/coaches that have access to athletes? If so, what databases do you
check and who is your background check provider?
- Athlete Safety Programs (Please provide an executive summary and description of your Athlete Safety Program and list where the policy can be found (i.e. code of conduct, employee handbook). Please also verify if your Athlete Safety Program meets the Minimum Standards Policy as included on page 7.)
National Governing Body/High Performance Management Organization Partnership:
- Partnership Summary (please include a summary of which NGBs/HPMOs you work with and current competitions hosted in your community as well as any relevant information about the partnership.)
Training Site, Community Olympic Development Program or Paralympic Sport Club Partnership:
- Partnership Summary (please include a summary of which Training Site, CODP or PSC you work with and current support provided as well as any relevant information about the partnership.)
Marketing/Development/Financial Information:
- List all corporate sponsors or partners of your organization
- Please be aware that there can be no third party association with the Community Designation nor may any USOC conflicting sponsors be associated in any way with the Community Partner Designation/Program. For a complete list of USOC
Corporate Partners, please visit http://www.teamusa.org/pages/sponsors
Financial Information:
- Community Partners are expected to be self-funded and operated. Please provide a current year budget and future budget for next year
- Please include any community financial support information, including local community support and local/national grants received
Insurance Information:
Please provide a certificate of insurance verifying the following coverage:
1. Commercial General Liability Insurance with limits of not less than $1 million per occurrence including: a. Coverage for Bodily Injury, Property Damage, and Personal and Advertising Injury;
b. Participant Legal Liability providing coverage for the Local Operator resulting from liability from at least players, coaches, officials, managers, team workers, staff members, cheerleaders, medical personnel, media personnel and any other personnel who may be granted authorization to enter any restricted area(s);
c. Coverage for (whether through an endorsement adding coverage or an endorsement deleting an exclusion) abuse and sexual molestation;
d. Non-owned and Hired Auto Liability (unless such coverage is included within a commercial automobile liability policy); e. Employees and volunteers included in the definition of insured parties;
2. Automobile Liability Insurance for all owned or leased vehicles with limits of not less than $1 million combined single limits 3. If required by state statute, Worker’s Compensation Insurance with statutory limits, and Employers Liability Insurance with
limits of not less than $100,000 Each Accident, Disease and Disease-Each Employee.
4. Accident insurance covering all participants involved in Program activities with limits of not less than $25,000 per covered accident, with a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident. Coverage may be written on a secondary basis to coverage carried by or on behalf of any individual participant.
Additional Information:
- Letters of reference/recommendation from athletes and local community leaders (optional) - Photos and/or video of program and facilities
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES
Once all of the designation criteria are met and a contract is signed, the contract is based on an automatic 1 year renewal process as well as the recognized Community Partner meeting with certain performance requirements such as:
- An annual report, due April 15 of the following year, summarizing all Olympic, Paralympic and NGB/HPMO events and activities hosted or supported over the previous year including:
· A detailed summary of the $5000 support to either a Training Site, CODP or PSC · Number of NGB/HPMO events
· Number Olympic and Paralympic initiatives
· Potential and Future National and International events
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ATHLETE SAFETY FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The United States Olympic Committee requires that the Local Operator for each Community Partner adopt an athlete safety program that includes, at a minimum, the following components:
1. Prohibited Conduct
A policy which prohibits and defines the following misconduct: - Bullying
- Hazing
- Harassment (including sexual harassment) - Emotional Misconduct
- Physical Misconduct
- Sexual Misconduct (including child sexual abuse)
The policy shall apply to (1) Community Partner employees; and (2) individuals the Community Partner formally authorizes, approves or appoints (a) to a position of authority over, or (b) to have frequent contact with, athletes.
Comment(s):
(a) Prohibited misconduct shall include, without limitation:
Romantic or sexual relationships, which began during the sport relationship, between athletes or other participants and those individuals (i) with direct supervisory or evaluative control, or (ii) are in a position of power and trust over the athlete or other participant. Except in circumstances where no imbalance of power exists, coaches have this direct supervisory or evaluative control and are in a position of power and trust over those athletes or participants they coach.
The prohibition on romantic or sexual relationships does not include those relationships where it can be demonstrated that there is no imbalance of power. For example, this prohibition does not apply to a pre-existing relationship between two spouses or life partners. For factors that may be relevant to determining whether an imbalance of power exists, consult the USOC’s Athlete Protection Policy.
(b) Local Operators are not required to prohibit misconduct as specifically categorized above. For example, a Local Operator may prohibit sexual harassment as “harassment,” “sexual harassment,” or under some other category or definition. We recommend that Local Operators define each particular type of misconduct in their athlete safety policies, however, Local Operators are free to use the definitions set forth in the USOC’s Athlete Protection Policy, found in the USOC’s SafeSport Policies at http://www.teamusa.org/About-the-USOC/Organization/Legal/Governance-Documents.aspx. 2. Criminal Background Checks
Each Community Partner shall require criminal background checks for those individuals it formally authorizes, approves or appoints (a) to a position of authority over, or (b) to have frequent contact with, athletes. For purposes of clarification, a Community Partner is considered to formally authorize, approve or appoint an individual in instances where the Community Partner has control over the appointment process.
3. Education & Training
Beginning January 1, 2015 each Community Partner shall require education and training concerning the key elements of their safety program for those individuals it formally authorizes, approves or appoints (a) to a position of authority over, or (b) to have frequent contact with, athletes. Before January 1, 2015 each Community Partner shall offer and encourage the same. 4. Reporting
5. Enforcement
a. Each Community Partner shall have a grievance process, which is materially free of bias and conflicts of interest, to address allegations of misconduct following the report or complaint of misconduct which has not been adjudicated under a criminal background check.
b. In cases where the Ted Stevens Act applies, each Community Partner shall comply with the Act’s requirements. c. The grievance process, whether by policy or operation of law, shall include the opportunity for review by a disinterested
individual or body. 6. Other
a. These minimum standards may be amended from time to time by the USOC.
b. In implementing an athlete safety program, Community Partners shall be guided by the principle that supporting the health and safety of its athletes is a key element of its managerial capabilities.
c. Failure to meet the minimum standards as set forth in this policy may result in disciplinary action by the USOC including, without limitation, the termination of the Community Partner Designation.
d. Exceptions to these minimum standards based on the organizational structure of the Community Partner may be granted by the USOC on a case-by-case basis where appropriate, provided that such exceptions do not materially endanger athletes.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact the Training Sites and Community Partnerships division of the USOC for more information:
Alicia McConnell
Director, Training Sites and Community Partnerships 1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-866-4868
MARKS USAGE EXAMPLES
JOE SMITH
Director
Anytown USA Youth Sports Organization 123 Main Street Anytown, NE USA 321-321-5678 [office] 321-321-2345 [cell] [email protected] PARTNER DESIGNATION FLAG 5 RINGS PRIMARY ORGANIZATION MARK
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JOE SMITH
Director of Marketing
Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation 123 Main Street Anytown, NE USA 321-321-5678 [office] 321-321-2345 [cell] [email protected] COMMUNITY PARTER Brochure
COMMUNITY
PARTNER
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