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This Code of Conduct is created for the safety and benefit of the Club, its members and its guests. Its provisions apply to the officers and directors of the Club’s board, Club members, vendors, event participants, volunteers and spectators. It is not meant to dictate all interactions between members or between members and the community. Instead, the purpose of this policy is to set forth the basic principles of decency we expect members to follow so that members can achieve their running goals in a safe and fun environment. Failure to follow the Code of Conduct may require that disciplinary measures be imposed on members.

As a GCS member, and especially when representing GCS in an official capacity (which includes wearing club branded merchandise) you agree to:
● Always show respect for your fellow club members at all times;
● Always show respect and appreciation for the volunteers who give their time to help the
club and/or event(s);
● Always show respect to the community-at-large in a GCS event setting;
● Never yell, taunt, or threaten physical violence upon another member of the club, a
volunteer or event spectator (Members with a criminal history of violence or with a legal
restraining order against them by another member may be barred from membership and
participation in all club activities);
● Refrain from physical violence upon anyone at a GCS race, or another club event;
● Never use abusive or vulgar language, or make racial, ethnic, sexual-orientation or
gender-related slurs or derogatory comments at any club events or when representing
the club;
● Refrain from bullying or cyberbullying of fellow club members. Cyberbullying is the willful
and repeated use of cell phones, computers, and other electronic communication
devices to harass and threaten others;
● Never engage in conduct towards other members that can be deemed as harassment or
sexual harassment. (Members found to be listed on a sex offender registry, convicted of
a sex crime, or caught having, creating, or distributing child pornography will be
immediately barred from membership and all participation in club activities.) This
conduct includes making unwanted or unwelcome contact (physically, verbally or
electronically) including that of a sexual nature (i.e. sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, etc.) with other members, which would put them in a general state of discomfort.
Members are encouraged to request, directly from another member if possible, that
certain conduct ceases if it causes them discomfort. Repeated inappropriate behavior
will not be tolerated;
● Always abide by race rules and engage in fair competition, which includes anti-doping
compliance, no course cutting, no banditing of races or other means of gaining a
competitive advantage that is considered cheating when participating in club races or
other races where you may represent the club by wearing a club-branded singlet, shirt,
uniform, etc. (Banditing a race means where you run a race but do not pay the
registration fee or have a bib, or if you participate in an illegal transfer of a bib);
● Refrain from acting in a manner that disrupts or impedes GCS events;
● Follow all traffic/pedestrian laws and club rules when participating in GCS running
events;
● Always report violations of the Member Code of Conduct policy to a Board member in
writing.

Adjudication Process
● Formal complaints of Code of Conduct violations may be communicated to ANY elected
member of the GCS Executive Board (The Board).
● A formal written complaint must be submitted in order to start any investigation. Said
written complaint may be sent to any Board member, for eventual submission to the
GCS President and the entire Board.
● Upon receipt of a formal written complaint, and within 5 days of receiving the complaint,
the President, or their designee, shall nominate 3 board members to investigate the
circumstances of the allegations, which may require follow up questions and research
with all parties involved. Such investigation shall be conducted and completed within 3
weeks of receipt of the formal written complaint. Preference may be given to board
members who have legal training or training that would make them more familiar with
investigation and handling of this type of issue, such as law enforcement.
● Based on the evidence discovered, the Investigation Committee shall fashion a
remedy/disciplinary measure for presentation to the Board that it deems appropriate for
the severity of the Code of Conduct violation.
● The Investigation Committee, and the Board, shall allow the accused member an
opportunity to be heard, either in writing or in person, prior to any disciplinary measure
being implemented.
● Such measures may include, but are not limited to, a verbal warning, a written warning,
referral of the matter to proper law enforcement, or the cancellation of GCS membership.
● The results of the investigation, and suggested remedy/disciplinary measure shall be
presented to the Board within that 3 week period, or at the Board Meeting immediately
following receipt of the formal written complaint for review, discussion and vote by the
Board on the suggested remedy/disciplinary measure. A special Board meeting may be
required and shall be called by the President as needed to comply with the 3 week
period.
● All persons involved, including the accused member, shall be informed of the decision of
the Investigation Committee and Board no later than 5 weeks from receipt of the formal
written complaint.
● GCS takes any and all allegations seriously, and will endeavor to handle them as quickly
as the circumstances permit, and will act to respect the rights and confidentiality of those
involved. If the above timelines are not feasible for any reason, the Investigation
Committee will inform the Board immediately and advise the Board of the new timelines.
● At the discretion of the Board, a finding that any individual has violated the Code of
Conduct may result in:
○ A verbal warning;
○ A written warning; or
○ Suspension or termination of that individual’s membership in GCS, together with
all privileges associated with that membership. In the event of a suspension, the
affected member may be reinstated only upon application for and granting of
reinstatement by the Board.
● In the event of a suspension or termination, the individual affected shall not be entitled to
any refund of his or her dues, in full or in part. Any potential reimbursement for races will
be forfeited by the individual. Any bibs (e.g. Boston Marathon bibs) shall be returned to
the club, and any event payments shall be refunded and reservations cancelled (e.g.
Boston Marathon bus)
● The Board’s actions in this regard shall be final, and shall not be subject to any further
appeal or contestation.
● In all respects, the Board’s actions will be in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations.