This is a living document, which may be updated frequently.
V 1.2 Last Updated: Feb 11, 2025
1. Core Membership Commitments
- Respect
- I will respect the rights, dignity, and worth of myself and all others.
- I will respect the canoes and all other equipment.
- I will respect the environment.
- Adherence to Policies
- I will adhere to the policies and rules set out by Heʻe Nalu and governing organizations.
- I will comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
- Membership Dues
- I will pay membership dues and canoe storage fees in full within 30 days of the published due date (approximately March 1 annually) or according to a pre-arranged written installment agreement with the Treasurer.
- The Board of Directors may issue special member status or waive fees for exceptional service or financial hardship.
- Punctuality and Participation
- I will arrive on time for paddles, training, and races, and ideally arrive early to assist with setup.
- I will make a good-faith effort to volunteer for, participate in, and support Heʻe Nalu’s activities, including workdays, training, races, and social or community service events.
2. Skills and Knowledge
- Essential Abilities
- I aspire to cultivate skills that enrich my contributions to our organization and community. And ensure the safety of both myself and others. I strive to:
- Develop strong swimming and treading water abilities.
- Right a capsized canoe calmly and efficiently.
- Enhance my canoe rigging skills.
- Use and maintain safety equipment properly.
- Know our waterways, landmarks, and race courses.
- I aspire to cultivate skills that enrich my contributions to our organization and community. And ensure the safety of both myself and others. I strive to:
3. Communication
- Official Communications
- I understand that official communications are sent via email through TeamSnap.
- I will maintain a current, active email address in my TeamSnap profile and check it regularly to stay informed of club news and announcements.
4. Coaching and Leadership
- For Coaches and Steerspersons
- I will treat each paddler with respect and dignity.
- I will make crew decisions based on fair and equitable standards.
- I will be available to answer questions and foster open communication.
- I will lead by example.
- I will de-escalate conflicts.
- I will seek assistance from coaches or directors to resolve conflicts
5. Conflict Resolution
- Voicing Concerns
- I will follow the procedure for voicing concerns, conflicts, or complaints:
- I will talk privately with a coach.
- If unresolved, I may speak with a director who will share it with the Board of Directors for resolution.
- If the concern is still not resolved, I will follow the procedures outlined in the bylaws for voicing concerns.
- I will follow the procedure for voicing concerns, conflicts, or complaints:
6. Visitors and Minors
- Visitor Protocol
- I will ensure all visitors sign waivers before paddling with Heʻe Nalu or from Heʻe Nalu’s sites.
- I will inform visitors of club policies and confirm they can swim or are outfitted with an appropriate personal flotation device (PFD).
- Guidelines for Minors
- I understand minors (under 18 years old) are welcome to practice and paddle at Heʻe Nalu if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Unaccompanied minors may participate in club-sanctioned practices under supervision, with written consent from a parent or legal guardian on file.
- Minors may not use club facilities or equipment outside of a practice.
- Minors under the age of 13 must wear a properly sized U.S. Coast Guard–approved personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while aboard a vessel.
7. Caring for Club Property and Equipment
- Respect for Equipment
- I will care for and respect canoes, equipment, and Heʻe Nalu’s sites.
- I will not lean against, sit anywhere except on a seat, or step over canoes. (No sitting in canoes while on land.)
- I will take care when moving canoes (e.g., lift, not drag).
- I will help rinse, transport, cover, and secure canoes after use.
- Site Maintenance
- I will keep Heʻe Nalu’s sites clean, organized, and litter-free.
- I will ensure that Heʻe Nalu’s sites, including sheds and dockboxes, are secure upon leaving.
- Reporting Damage
- I will immediately notify a coach, director, or owner if any club or privately owned canoes or equipment are damaged.
- Equipment Use
- I will obtain approval from the Board of Directors to use or borrow club-owned canoes (OC-1, OC-2, OC-6) outside the schedule.
- I will obtain a one-time approval from the Board of Directors confirming my competency and current safety knowledge before using or borrowing OC-1 or OC-2.
- I will obtain the Board of Directors’ approval before using an OC-1 or OC-2 offsite (away from Heʻe Nalu’s designated locations).
- I will obtain the Board of Directors’ approval before using an OC-6 outside the established schedule.
- I will check TeamSnap before using an OC-1, OC-2, or OC-6 to avoid conflicts with scheduled training sessions or events.
- Race Day Responsibilities
- On race days, I will take initiative in loading and unloading canoes, rigging and de-rigging, and setting up and taking down the site.
8. Sportsmanship
- Team Cooperation
- I will cooperate with and respect the coaching staff and their decisions, including setting crews for practices and races.
- I will accept feedback, constructive criticism, and instruction with an open mind.
- I will demonstrate good sportsmanship at all practices and races.
- I understand that coaching others is reserved for coaches only.
- I will not question or dispute coaches’ decisions, such as seat placement for paddles, training, or races.
- I will welcome new paddlers with warmth and respect.
- I understand and respect that Heʻe Nalu offers both competitive and recreational programs, and I acknowledge that during racing season, the competitive program takes precedence over the recreational program.
9. Safety
- Priority of Safety
- Safety is paramount both on and off the water.
- Violence or illegal drugs, in any form, will not be tolerated.
- On-Water Protocols
- On-water safety protocols must be followed.
- Before taking the OC-6 on the water, it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the canoe is properly equipped with at least six PFDs, two bailers, one bucket, and one backup paddle.
- Personal Flotation Devices
- If I cannot swim, I must wear a PFD while in the canoe and inform the steersperson of my swimming ability.
- Each member is responsible for, at a minimum, carrying—if not wearing—a PFD while on an OC-1 or any other small craft.
10. Compliance and Enforcement
- Membership Privilege
- I acknowledge that membership in Heʻe Nalu is a privilege.
- I acknowledge that I will forfeit my membership if I exhibit behavior unbecoming of our organization, including any form of misconduct or disrespect toward members, coaches, the Board of Directors, or officials of the Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association.
- I acknowledge that I will forfeit my membership if I use Heʻe Nalu—or its name and logo—for personal gain or for activities outside the club without authorization.
- I understand that the Board of Directors reserves the right to revoke my membership if I fail to adhere to the Member Code of Conduct or act in a manner detrimental to the club. Such actions will be taken only with just cause and after due process.
11. Acknowledgment
- Commitment to Values
- I pledge to uphold the Member Code of Conduct and embody the values of Heʻe Nalu.
- I recognize that open communication is vital to the health of our organization, and will voice my thoughts, ideas, and concerns constructively.
- As a member of Heʻe Nalu, I understand my responsibility to make a positive difference within our club and the broader community.
- By signing this pledge, I affirm my commitment to being a positive, respectful, and contributing member of Heʻe Nalu.