GLOSSARY
Adult Athlete : Any individual who is a USASF Member who is or will be on a team representing a USASF Member Club and is , or will be 18 years of age , on or before the end of the current Membership term ( collectively , with Minor Athlete , referred to as “ Athlete ”).
Adult Member : Any individual who is 18 years of age or older who is a USASF Member under the following Membership categories : Athlete , Coach , Club Owner , Personnel , and / or Associate .
Adult Participant : Any individual who is 18 years of age or older that is authorized , approved , or appointed by a Member Club to have Regular Contact with or Authority over Minor Athletes . This may include , but is not limited to , Coaches , volunteers , contract personnel , Adult Athletes , and / Club staff or board members , regardless of their Membership status with the USASF .
Affiliate : Any United States based entity that is a USASF Member and ( 1 ) supplies products and / or services to the All-Star Cheer and / or Dance industries , or ( 2 ) is a corporate sponsor or official partner of USASF .
Applicant : An individual or entity who has applied for Membership of USASF but has not yet completed all eligibility requirements for the applied-for Membership category .
Associate : Any individual or entity that is a USASF Member whose services do not fit into any other Membership categories .
Authority : When one person ’ s position over another person is such that , based on the totality of the circumstances , they have the power or right to direct , control , give orders to , or make decisions for that person . Also see the Power Imbalance .
Banned : An individual or entity permanently prohibited from participating in any capacity in any Function or Event authorized by , organized by , or under the auspices of the USASF or at a facility under the jurisdiction of the same .
Bullying : Repeated or severe behavior ( s ) that are ( a ) aggressive ( b ) directed at a Minor , and ( c ) intended or likely to hurt , control , or diminish the Minor emotionally , physically , or sexually . Bullying-like behaviors directed at adults are addressed under other forms of misconduct , such as hazing or Harassment .
Child Abuse : The term “ child abuse ” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 ( 34 U . S . C . § 20341 ) or any applicable state law .
Claimant : The person who is alleged to have experienced conduct that constitutes a USASF policy or Code violation .
Close-in-Age Exception : An exception applicable to certain policies when an Adult Participant does not have Authority over a Minor Athlete and is not more than four years older than the Minor Athlete ( e . g ., a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old ) at the time of the interaction .
Club : Any United States based company or organization who is a USASF Member that trains Adult and / or Minor Athletes in cheer and / or dance from which one or more teams that may attend USASF sanctioned and / or sponsored Events .
USASF CODE OF CONDUCT AND COMPLIANCE 2024-2025 SEASON
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