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 and 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 , medical staff , trainers , chaperones , monitors , contract personnel , bus / van drivers , officials , Adult Athletes , 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 who or entity that 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 .
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 .
CLUB OWNER : An individual who is also a Coach Member of USASF , regardless of whether their coaching status and owns , either in whole or in part , a Member Club or is a managing director of a Club that is owned by an entity that is not closely held .
COACH : Individuals who are USASF Members who are Club owners and / or who coach Athlete ( s ) in cheer and / or dance . CODE : The USASF Code of Conduct & Compliance as it may be updated from time-to-time .
CONSENT : Informed and voluntary agreement demonstrated by clear words or actions , indicating a person who is legally and functionally competent has indicated approval or permission to engage in a mutually agreed upon activity . Consent to any one form of activity does not automatically imply Consent for any other forms of activity . Once given , Consent can be withdrawn . Previous relationships or prior Consent does not imply Consent to future sexual activity . Consent cannot be obtained : ( a ) by force , ( b ) by taking advantage of the Incapacitation of another ; ( c ) from someone who lacks Legal Capacity ; and / or ( d ) when a Power Imbalance exists .
USASF CODE OF CONDUCT & COMPLIANCE | 2022-23 MEMBERSHIP SEASON 5