OVR Handbook 2011: 4. Rules and Regulations | Contents | Next |
The Ohio Valley Region, Inc. will follow the rules and regulations set forth in the USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations, supplemented by regional requirements.
One copy of the Official United States Volleyball Rules is distributed to each OVR adult member on registration. The rulebook is also available on the USA Volleyball website, www.usavolleyball.org/officiat/main.htm.
Rules, changes, and points of emphasis are also available online:
The Ohio Valley Region follows rules and regulations established by USA Volleyball, with the following clarifications and additions.
The following separately maintained documented detail additional policies and regulations:
Uniform numbers must be clearly visible and centered on the chest and back. Each jersey must use the same color (excepting the Libero) and number height, minimum of 4" on the front and 6" on the back (recommended 6" on the front and 8" on the back) for all players. The line forming the numbers should be at least 3/4" wide.
The Commissioner, together with the Board of Directors, resolves grievances and penalties. Such disciplinary action can result from violation detailed in but not limited to the USAV Participant Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy, section 4.4. Examples of infractions not included in that document include:
The following actions are prohibited:
Infraction | When Occurred | Suggested Maximum Penalty |
First | Before or during event | Individual disqualified (if person is a junior, he/she will be sent home as soon as possible and parent or guardian notified). The individual may be declared ineligible for OVR membership or USAV registration for one year starting from the date of infraction. |
After event concludes | The individual may be declared ineligible for OVR membership or USAV registration for one year starting from the date of infraction. | |
Second | Before or during event | Individual disqualified (if person is a junior, he/she will be sent home as soon as possible and parent or guardian notified). The individual may be declared ineligible for OVR membership or USAV registration for two years starting from the date of infraction. |
After event concludes | The individual may be declared ineligible for OVR membership or USAV registration for two years starting from the date of infraction. | |
Third | Individual may be declared ineligible for OVR membership or USAV registration for the remainder of his/her lifetime. |
NOTE: Major misbehavior (e.g. verbal or physical abuse of a child, sexual harassment, etc.) may subject the violator to a lifetime ineligibility for RVA membership or USAV registration after the first infraction. Penalties are only applied after affording the participant due process as required by the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act (TSOASA), USOC, RVA, and USAV. Appeals, other than for doping violations, may be made in accordance with procedures set forth in the bylaws and operating codes of the RVA and USA Volleyball as printed in the current RVA Handbook and Official USA Volleyball Guide, respectively.
Revised January 18, 2000
To maintain and encourage appropriate behavior by its members, the Ohio Valley Region, Inc. (OVR) will deal with violations of Rules, its Code of Conduct, and/or Ethics through a disciplinary process described herein. To address complaints or allegations and streamline the associated response time, the OVR Board of Directors has adopted the following procedures.
The concept of Due Process involves the right of the accused to reasonable notice and a hearing, at which he/she is permitted to present his/her side of the story and defend the charges.
The Due Process Committee will be an ad-hoc committee consisting of three (3) registered adult members in good standing. Committee members will be selected by a Board member designated as the Due Process Coordinator. Committee composition will be chosen so as to adequately represent players, coaches, and officials. Board members are not eligible. The Due Process Coordinator will designate one of the committee members to be the Due Process Committee Chair.
The disciplinary policy and procedures for the OVR shall apply throughout the season (1 November through 31 October).
The disciplinary policy and procedures for the OVR shall apply to all registered members and organizations.
Violations of Rules, Code of Conduct, and/or Ethics will be first brought to the attention of the OVR Commissioner. Within seven (7) days, the Commissioner shall send written acknowledgement of the notification to the accuser and accused.
Within sixty (60) days of acknowledgement of the notification, the OVR Commissioner shall use reasonable efforts to gather pertinent facts from involved parties and witnesses. The Commissioner may use various means (e.g., telephone, personal interview, email) to gather this information in a fair and expeditious manner. Following investigation of the alleged violations, the OVR Commissioner shall determine whether a violation occurred and the severity of the violation. If the Commissioner determines that no violation occurred, the principal parties and the Board of Directors will be so notified in writing.
If the Commissioner determines that a violation has occurred, then within ninety (90) days of acknowledgement of the notification, the Commissioner shall determine the appropriate sanction, and will inform the violator, via registered or certified mail, of the imposed sanction. Additionally, the Commissioner shall notify the Board of Directors and the accuser of his/her decision. These sanctions may include but are not limited to:
Any registered member or organization, having been assessed a sanction, will have the right to appeal any decision(s) and/or degree of sanction(s) imposed by the Commissioner, to the Due Process Committee. Sanctions will be in force during the appeals process.
When sanctions are imposed, the Commissioner will also inform the accused that they have, from date of notice, fifteen (15) days to appeal the sanction to the Due Process Coordinator. The appeal must be in writing and sent to the Commissioner and to the Due Process Coordinator via registered or certified mail. Failure on the part of the alleged violator(s) to appeal within the fifteen (15) days will make any appeal and void.
It is the right of the alleged violator(s) to provide rebuttal evidence related to the allegations. The Commissioner shall forward to the Due Process Committee all pertinent information gathered during the fact-finding phase. When the Committee receives the necessary facts and correspondence, the Committee will set a hearing date. This hearing date shall be held within thirty (30) days after receipt of a notice of appeal. The hearing may, at the discretion of the Committee's chair, be held by conference call. If a conference call is not desired by the Committee's chair, the Committee will set a time and place for the hearing.
In conducting a hearing or conference call, common sense and fairness good faith shall prevail. Each hearing should have three two parts:
The committee will meet in closed session to discuss and decide the outcome of the appeal.
The Committee will decide one of the following:
The Committee will inform the principal parties and the Commissioner of its decision within seven (7) days in writing by registered or certified mail. The Committee will also inform the violator(s) of their right to appeal the Committee's decision to the OVR Board of Directors.
If the member(s) is still not satisfied with the Due Process Committee's decision, they may petition the OVR Board of Directors for an appeal. The written appeal must include a detailed justification for the request and be submitted by registered or certified mail within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the Committee's decision. This appeal must be sent to the Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors will consider the appeal, and may, at its discretion, choose to set a hearing or to determine its response without a formal hearing, within 180 days of receipt of this final appeal request. The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final and not subject to further appeal.