4  Rules and Regulations

The Ohio Valley Region, Inc. will follow the rules and regulations set forth in the USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations, supplemented by regional requirements.

4.1 USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations

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:

4.2 Ohio Valley Region Regulations

The Ohio Valley Region follows rules and regulations established by USA Volleyball, with the following clarifications and additions.

4.2.1 Supporting Documents

The following separately maintained documented detail additional policies and regulations:

4.2.2 Uniforms

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.

4.3 Penalties / Fines

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:

  1. Uniform violation: warning / suspension.
  2. Failure of a team to show up at a tournament: loss of entry fee.
  3. Violation of tournament site regulations: suspension.
  4. Failure to officiate when assigned: $100 fine, and suspension until fine is paid.
  5. Player eligibility violation: suspension (player(s) or team).
  6. General conduct: Due to the increasing number of spectators watching volleyball tournaments, all players/teams are expected to handle themselves in an adult manner. Constant derogatory remarks to any official, player, tournament director, board member, or other individual will not be tolerated, and will result in a warning and/or suspension.
www.ovr.org/forms/OVR_Waiver.pdf

4.4 USA Volleyball Participant Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy

USA Volleyball Participant Code of Conduct

The following actions are prohibited:

    Violation of any anti-doping policies, protocols or procedures as defined by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) or the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). Violations of this provision will be adjudicated only by USADA or the proper anti-doping authority, not USA Volleyball (USAV).
  1. Possession, consumption or distribution of alcohol and / or tobacco if illegal or in violation of OVR or USAV policy. USAV policy prohibits the possession, consumption or distribution of alcohol and/or tobacco by anyone registered as a Junior Olympic Volleyball Player at the event venue of any USAV sanctioned junior event.
  2. Use of a recognized identification card by anyone other than the individual described on the card.
  3. Physical damage to a facility or theft of items from a room, dormitory, residence or other person. (Restitution will be part of any penalty imposed.)
  4. Possession of fireworks, ammunition, firearms, or other weapons or any item or material which by commonly accepted practices and principles would be a hazard or harmful to other persons.
  5. Any action considered to be an offense under Federal, State or local law ordinances.
  6. Violation of the specific policies, regulations, and/or procedures of the OVR, USAV, or the facility used in conjunction with a sanctioned event. (It is the responsibility of the individual to be familiar with applicable specific policies, regulations and procedures.)
  7. Conduct which is inappropriate as determined by comparison to normally accepted behavior.
  8. Physical or verbal intimidation of any individual.
  9. Actions that will be detrimental to USAV or the OVR.

USA Volleyball Disciplinary Policy

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.

www.ovr.org/executive/dueprocess.html

4.5 Due Process

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND APPEALS

Revised January 18, 2000

1.1 Background

1.1.1 Purpose

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.

1.1.2 Definition

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.

1.1.3 Due Process Committee

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.

1.2 Scope of Application

1.2.1 Time

The disciplinary policy and procedures for the OVR shall apply throughout the season (1 November through 31 October).

1.2.2 Subjects

The disciplinary policy and procedures for the OVR shall apply to all registered members and organizations.

1.3 Steps and Procedures

1.3.1 Notification

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.

1.3.2 Fact-Finding

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.

1.3.3 Sanction

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:

  1. Reprimand: a written or verbal statement to the offending participant(s).
  2. Probation: conditions imposed whereby no sanctions will be levied, unless warranted by further misconduct.
  3. Suspension: a designated period of time in which participant(s) will be prohibited from any involvement with any volleyball-associated business within the region.
  4. Expulsion: the act of expelling an individual or group from the OVR for life.

1.3.4 Appeal Procedures

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.

1.3.5 Time of Appeal

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.

1.3.6 Appeals Hearing

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.

1.3.7 Hearing Agenda

In conducting a hearing or conference call, common sense and fairness good faith shall prevail. Each hearing should have three two parts:

  1. Presentation of accusation and evidence in support of accusation and sanction.
  2. Responses, defense, or counter argument of the accused.

1.3.8 Disposition

The committee will meet in closed session to discuss and decide the outcome of the appeal.

1.3.9 Outcomes

The Committee will decide one of the following:

  1. If the alleged violator has presented evidence that convinces the Committee that no violation occurred, the Committee may dismiss the accusation in full.
  2. The Committee may reduce any sanction imposed or change any part thereof.
  3. The Committee may mandate alternative sanctions.
  4. The Committee may confirm and support the sanctions of the Commissioner.

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.

1.4 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.