COMMUNICATION GUIDELINE

Let me be the first to welcome you to PSHS Patriot (South)Crew! Crew is a great sport to be a part of and one in which you have the opportunity to make lasting friendships. As you know, with any team sport, it takes dedication and hard work to have a successful season. Communication also plays a key role. I understand it can be confusing as to whom you should talk to if you have a concern or problem regarding crew - but it is actually very simple. Below I have listed a few examples, so you will know exactly what type of communications is appropriate within our organization and what is not.

1) If you or your rower has a problem or a question regarding uniforms, rowing fees, fundraising, travel reservations, any item that is financial in nature, this is a Booster question. Please feel free to call any Executive Board member and speak with them freely regarding the situation.

2) If you or your rower has a problem or a question regarding coaching, conditioning, ergs, work outs, rules during conditioning/practice/regattas, decisions of coaches, placement in the boats for the season, how rowers/coxswains earn their place in the boats for the season, perceived opinions of coaches, the other rowers, or anything else to do with any form of coaching or conditioning, this is a Coaching question. Please do not call an Executive Booster member for questions of this nature as we will refer you to a coach to resolve the issue.

Our coaching staff is responsible for all coaching decisions - allow them the opportunity to resolve any problem or concern you may have with them. Please do not contact Booster members for coaching issues. This is not the Boosters 'jurisdiction' to influence coaching decisions. The boosters are not part of the coaching staff.

Our coaching staff is quite capable of handling disputes and will address your concerns. However, we are all adults and we all know differences of opinions will occur from time to time and not every difference of opinion will have a favorable outcome for everyone involved. That is something everyone must learn to deal with in life - not just in crew. This is a varsity level sport and what one parent sees as unfair or unjust to their rower – may be the best decision for the team as a whole.

3) If you have a problem that you have made an honest attempt to resolve with a coach(s) one-on-one and you feel as though that the problem is still not resolved, please contact Mr. Rick Leach, Parkersburg South High School, Athletic Director. Please keep in mind, Mr. Leach is busy and should only be contacted if it is a problem that cannot be resolved within our coaching staff. I can tell you from experience, that if you have a complaint about 1) personality differences, 2) personal dislike of a coach, 3) or you are upset because you feel as though your child should be in a different position than what the coach put them in . . . that you should be prepared to have made efforts to talk to the coach and have specific instances and examples to back up your claim with Mr. Leach.

4) The Patriot Crew Boosters, Inc. handles all financial and organizational aspects of the team. We plan fundraisers, order uniforms, decide on budget so coaches have an idea as to what regattas we can travel to, we plan travel – hotels, meals, restaurants, and bus details. We organize any special events – picnics, cook-outs, and banquets. We can restrict a rower from competing in the first regatta if their rowing fees are not paid by the due date.

Please remember, if it is a Booster issue, do not hesitate to contact me directly by phone, text, or email. Be sure to leave a message if I am unable to answer. I will get back with you.

If is is a coaching issue, contact the Head Coach. (Please refer to contact sheet)

As an added reminder...All concerns or complains must go through our Athletic Director, Mr. Leach not Mr. Eschbacher or Wood County School Board.

Please abide by the following guideline:

Each and every person within the South crew family - coaches, boosters, parents, rowers --all DESERVE the right to have a one-on-one session with the person(s) who has an issue with them. Please afford everyone this right--no one likes to be confronted in a group--this can feel like an attack.

BOOSTER MEETINGS WILL NOT BE USED AS A METHOD OF PERSONAL ATTACK TO ANYONE

If this occurs, you will be asked to either hold you comments until after the meeting or be asked to leave the meeting. It is a matter of respect for everyone at meeting.

I greatly appreciate your help in adhering to these guidelines. Working together, we can make this one of the best seasons for South Crew!