This selection policy has been agreed upon by US Deaf Cycling Association and the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF). It provides details regarding the process by which US Deaf Cycling Association will arrive at staff nominations. The US Deaf Cycling Association will submit these nominations to USADSF for consideration and final selection as a staff on the US Deaf Cycling Association roster for the 2024 World Deaf Mountain Bike Championships (hereafter called the "Games" or "Event").
1. TIMELINE
1.1 Staff selection criteria must be submitted at least one (1) year in advance of the event except when the event is announced within a year, or in other extenuating circumstances. If an event is announced within one (1) year, the selection criteria shall be due within forty-five (45) days of the event announcement.
1.2 USADSF must give express written approval of the criteria prior to any selection events taking place.
1.3 National Sport Organizations and Committees may request a preliminary review of the criteria prior to submission.
1.4 Seletion criteria will be reviewed by USADSF within a thirty (30) day review period. Reviews will take place on a rolling basis.
1.5 Selection criteria must be approved prior to any staff selections and announcements.
1.6 Failure to adhere to the above milestones will be subject to fines or further discipline (refer to USADSF Fee Schedule).
2. BASIC REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Successful candidates must successfully pass the National Center for Safety Initiatives’ (NCSI) background screen in accordance with the current USADSF or USOPC Games Background Check Policy prior to nomination to USADSF.
2.2 All coaches shall be a member of the National Governing Body and licensed by the National Governing Body as a coach in their respective sport.
2.3 All staff members must have successfully completed, or complete within forty-five (45) days of their selection, the U.S. Center for SafeSport's training and education program (SafeSport Core) and possess a current SafeSport certificate.
2.4 All staff members shall adhere to the U.S. Center for SafeSport's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP).
2.5 All relevant certifications, including, but not limited to the above, should be submitted with the nomination of staff members. Additionally, any renewals must be submitted to the USADSF.
2.6 Staff members shall uphold and promote clean sport and fair play.
2.7 Staff members shall be familiarized with the World Anti Doping Code and anti-doping procedures, including Therapeutic Use Exemptions. If applicable, participate in U.S. Anti-Doping Agency training.
2.8 Nationality Requirements
2.8.1 Primary staff members must be a national of the United States at the time of nomination.
2.8.2 Staff members must hold a valid U.S. passport that expires at least six months after the end of the 2024 World Deaf Mountain Bike Championships.
2.8.3 Non-U.S. nationals must have a valid passport that will allow the person to travel to the host country.
2.9 Staff members must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with USADSF, including being available to work with USADSF in the months leading up to the Games, for the entire duration of the Games, and for the post-Games debriefing.
2.10 Staff members shall have strong administrative, communication, and organizational skills.
2.11 Staff members shall be responsible for the Team's adherence to all rules regarding discipline at the Games.
2.12 Staff members must fulfill all duties and requirements of the USADSF, including attendance at USADSF Games-related meetings.
2.13 Staff members shall be present at all times for the entire duration of the Games.
2.14 Staff members must possess a high level of specific, technical, and tactical knowledge of their sport or profession.
2.15 Team Leaders and Coaches shall demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of the International Sport Federation (IF) rules and regulations governing the sport.
2.16 Staff members shall demonstrate the ability to establish harmonious relationships with athletes and other Team personnel.
2.17 Staff members shall be in good health and able to withstand the physical rigors of traveling with and working with the Team.
2.18 Staff members must successfully complete all Games Regustration requirements by the stated deadline(s).
2.19 Staff members may not participate as an athlete without the explicit written permission of USADSF.
2.20 At least one staff member must be CPR and First-Aid certified and at least one person certified in CPR and First Aid must be available at all times.
2.21 Staff members shall sign the USADSF Honor Code and the US Deaf Cycling Association Code of Conduct for the current year (if applicable) and submit a signed form to USADSF within forty-five (45) days of selection.
3. NUMBER OF STAFF POSITIONS
3.1 Number of staff positions: 2
3.2 Number of unique staff roles: 2
4. DESCRIPTION OF STAFF POSITIONS
4.1 Position/Role: Team Manager
4.1.1 Responsibilities: In order to maintain the team manager role and represent the USA at international competitions, the team manager must comply with the following requirements:
1. The team manager serves as the primary and official contact for the team in all communications with USDCA and USADSF.
2. Team manager responsibilities include:
a. Selection, preparation, and supervision of team members.
b. Timely completion and submission of applications and forms.
c. Maintenance of high ethical and sportsmanship standards, both in preparation and in competition.
d. Compliance with policies of the USDCA/USADSF, UCI, and any international events in which the USA Deaf Cycling team is participating.
4.1.2 Qualifications: Has a good knowledge of the policies of the USDCA/USADSF and UCI, and familiarity with the international events in which the USA Deaf Cycling team is participating.
4.1.3 Requirements:
a. United States citizenship
b. Age 25 or older
c. A valid driver's license
4.1 Position/Role: Team Manager #2
4.1.1 Responsibilities: In order to maintain the team manager role and represent the USA at international competitions, the team manager must comply with the following requirements:
1. The team manager serves as the primary and official contact for the team in all communications with USDCA and USADSF.
2. Team manager responsibilities include:
a. Selection, preparation, and supervision of team members.
b. Timely completion and submission of applications and forms.
c. Maintenance of high ethical and sportsmanship standards, both in preparation and in competition.
d. Compliance with policies of the USDCA/USADSF, UCI, and any international events in which the USA Deaf Cycling team is participating.
4.1.2 Qualifications: Has a good knowledge of the policies of the USDCA/USADSF and UCI, and familiarity with the international events in which the USA Deaf Cycling team is participating.
4.1.3 Requirements:
a. United States citizenship
b. Age 25 or older
c. A valid driver's license
5. SELECTION SYSTEM
5.1 Selection Process for candidates to be considered for a US Deaf Cycling Association staff position with the delegation for the 2024 World Deaf Mountain Bike Championships:
5.1.1 The position will be selected based on the candidate(s) who best meet the criteria outlined in Section 2 and who will best meet the needs of the Team.
5.2 Selection Committee
5.2.1 The Staff Selection Committee for 2024 World Deaf Mountain Bike Championships shall be comprised of the following individuals:
• John Klish - President
• Bobby Skedsmo - Treasurer
• Rory Osbrink - Secretary
• Bridget Berrigan - Member
5.2.2 Any Selection Committee member with a possible conflict of interest must disclose it. If such conflict exists, the Selection Committee member must recuse themselves from the Committee discussions and voting. Further, the Committee member shall not otherwise influence other Committee members in the selection process.
6. REMOVAL OF STAFF
6.1 Before entry by name to USA Deaf Sports Federation, US Deaf Cycling Association has jurisdiction over potential nominees
6.1.1 Voluntary withdrawal. An athlete must submit a letter to the US Deaf Cycling Association President and/or Executive Director.
6.1.2 Failure to participate in mandatory training and/or competitions.
6.1.3 Violation of US Deaf Cycling Association Code of Conduct
6.1.4 If for any reason, US Deaf Cycling Association believes that it may not be safe for athletes or other staff to have this individual on the roster between the time of appointment and the event, US Deaf Cycling Association retains the right to remove the staff.
6.2 Once staff entries have been submitted to the USADSF, the USADSF has jurisdiction over the Team rosters.
6.2.1 Voluntary withdrawal. An athlete must submit a written letter to the USADSF Team Leader, Executivector, or President.
6.2.2 Failure to participate in mandatory training and/or competitions..
6.2.3 Violation of the USADSF Honor Code.
6.3 A staff may be removed as a nominee to the roster or from the roster for an adjudicated violation of U.S. Center for SafeSport Code and policies, as applicable.
7. REPLACEMENT OF STAFF
7.1 Before entry by name to the USA Deaf Sports Federation, US Deaf Cycling Association has jurisdiction over potential nominees.
7.1.1 In the event that the nominated staff member is unable to perform the duties of the position(s) for injury, illness, any US Deaf Cycling Association policy violation, or any other unforeseen circumstances that would result in the need to replace the member, the replacement candidate must meet all of the applicable criteria listed in Sections 2 and 4 above and be selected through the same process as outlined in Section 5.
7.2 Once staff entries have been submitted to USA Deaf Sports Federation, the USADSF has jurisdiction over the entries.
7.2.1 The staff will be replaced at the discretion of the USADSF. If the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), USADSF or Games Organizing Committee (GOC) requires different replacement procedures within a certain time period before the Games or after official nomination of the Final Roster to the USADSF, such procedures for replacement shall be followed.
7.2.2 If a qualified Team loses one of its staff members due to illness, injury, or "force majeure," then the US Deaf Cycling Association Team Leader may propose a replacement staff in consultation with the USADSF President. The replacement staff shall be the most qualified candidate who meets the earlier criteria.
8. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
8.1 US Deaf Cycling Association will retain the approved Staff Selection Criteria and all supporting documents, including evaluation forms, background checks, and all data from the selection process for a minimum of six months past the date of the Closing Ceremony of the Games.
8.2 US Deaf Cycling Association pledges to submit all supporting documents to USADSF at the time of nomination to the roster.
9. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
9.1 In addition to the USADSF Honor Code, the following documents are required to be signed by a staff member as a condition for nomination to the 2024 World Deaf Mountain Bike Championships and are included as attachments:
10. PUBLICITY/DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEDURES
10.1 The USADSF approved Selection Procedures (complete and unaltered) will be posted/published within ten (10) days of approval by the USA Deaf Sports Federation Board of Directors.
10.2 Information shall be published:
10.2.1 on the USADSF website
10.2.2 on the US Deaf Cycling Association website at the following link: www.usdeafcycling.org
10.2.3 Additional means of disseminating the Selection Criteria and Process:
11. DATE OF NOMINATION
11.1 The US Deaf Cycling Association shall submit the list of coaching staff and key staff members to USADSF on or before: November 15, 2023
11.2 The list of coaching staff and key staff members will be announced to the public only after USADSF approves the nominations.
11.3 The US Deaf Cycling Association shall submit the final roster including athletes and all staff members no less than four months prior to the event. Late additions are not guaranteed approval by the USADSF or ICSD and may incur additional fees.
12. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
12.1 All staff members have a right to obtain due process. Refer to US Deaf Cycling Association grievance procedures below:
The following is the procedure by which individuals and representatives of USDCA shall attempt to discuss and resolve grievances:
1. Individuals are to discuss grievances that they may have with the staff with whom they are in contact. If a grievance cannot be resolved by the staff, the staff shall inform the individual of the grievance procedure and inform the next higher level of supervisor of the unresolved grievance.
2. If the complainant(s) wishes to pursue the grievance procedure, they must inform the staff member or staff member's supervisor of that intent in writing along with a description of the complaint. Such intent will be communicated by the appropriate personnel to the highest level of supervisor orctor.
3. Within ten working days, the complainant, staff member, andctor will discuss the grievance and attempt resolution.
4. In the event the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved at this point, the complainant may elect to submit the grievance to the USDCA executive board. The board reviews the case and responds within ten working days.
5. If the complainant remains unsatisfied with the resolution, they may appeal the matter to the USA Deaf Sports Federation. See "14. STAFF GRIEVANCES AND COMPLIANTS" below. All written grievances, USDCA's response to them, and a summary of the action taken on each complaint, will be filed and results reported to USADSF.
12.2 If the Staff Selection Criteria and the grievance procedures were not followed properly, see USADSF Bylaw 8.5.
13. INTERNATIONAL DISCLAIMER
13.1 These procedures are based on ICSD, as applicable, and/or International Federation rules and regulations as presently known and understood. Any change in the selection procedures caused by a change in ICSD, as applicable, and/or International Federation rules and regulations will be distributed to the affected athletes immediately. The selection criteria are based on the latest information available to US Deaf Cycling Association. However, the selections are always subject to unforeseen, intervening circumstances and, realistically, may have accounted for only some possible contingency. If any force of nature, or force majeure, should cause the altercation or cancellation of any of the selection events listed in this document, these selection procedures will be revised and amended, pursuant to their resubmission to the USADSF and approval by USADSF.
14. STAFF GRIEVANCES AND COMPLAINTS
14.1 If an prospective or nominated staff member has concerns or complaints regarding their opportunity to apply that US Deaf Cycling Association does not answer, they may contact the USADSF President, Jeffrey Mansfield, at mansfield@usdeafsports.org or refer to USADSF's Grievance Policy and Procedure.
15. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
15.1 This document certifies that US Deaf Cycling Association individuals on the Selection Committee understand the standards/criteria set by ICSD, International Federation, and/or USADSF and have incorporated those standards/criteria into the Selection Procedures. These individuals certify that the information provided regarding Staff Selection Procedures represents the method approved by US Deaf Cycling Association.