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Policies:   CHANGE IN WALK-ON POLICY: Effective immediately, Smithfield Figure Skating Club requires that walk-on skaters who are non-members present their US Figure Skating membership card as proof of current membership and pay the required walk-on fee prior to entering the ice. Non-member skaters walking on will only be required to present their USFS membership card once per membership year (July 1 - June 30). Please make sure that the skater's name and USFS membership number are recorded on the form provided in the music book located in the music booth. Skaters who walk on are strongly encouraged to pay by check or, if using cash, to provide the exact amount. Music monitors will NOT MAKE CHANGE. Overpayments will not be applied to future walk ons. ALL skaters (contracting and walk ons) MUST CHECK IN with the music monitor BEFORE entering the ice. Support Policy - Board Action on Funding of Skaters at Qualifying Competitions: The following policy was adopted by the Smithfield Board of Governors at its August 7, 2007 meeting: I. In order for a home club member to receive financial support from SFSC for the coming competition season, said member must be skating the majority of their ice time year round on home club ice. Volunteering and supporting home club activities will also be taken into consideration. Skaters Code of Conduct: General Guidelines The Skaters Code of Conduct has been established by the Smithfield Figure Skating Club Board of Governors to provide safety to all members using our ice and to insure quality practice time for all home club, associate, non-members and guests who buy ice at the Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink through SFSC. II. All skaters regardless of whether they hold home club, associate, non-member or guest status are expected to follow and uphold the tenets outlined in this document regarding behavior on and off the ice and while on the premises of the Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink. III. Skaters and parents will be required to thoroughly read all points established and discussed and sign the attached agreement form, which must then be sent back to the appropriate board member listed. Please note that agreement form should be received before the start of the new skating season, otherwise, the club member may be refused access to the ice. IV. All club members are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship and be courteous toward their fellow skaters, coaches, USFS officials and guests. V. Any skater who is overheard speaking in a derogatory or negative tone about another member will be subject to disciplinary action by the SFSC Board of Governors. This includes making statements about: a member/coach/official/ or guest's appearance, their skating ability, the person's friends or family. SFSC is committed to promoting a positive and friendly environment for all skaters. Please treat your fellow club members as you would like to be treated: with respect. Ice Etiquette + Safety • While in lesson or practice, it is the skater's responsibility to always be conscientious and aware of who is skating around them and in their general vicinity at all times.• • Skate with the flow of other skaters and try to familiarize yourself with the most commonly used areas for jumps and spins (for example, it is not good practice to spin in any corner because this is the most used area to set up and execute lutz jumps). • Please do not dominate one area of the rink to practice your elements (i.e. monopolizing the blue or red center line). Many skaters' programs utilize the full ice surface and it is very distracting to have to move around those who glue themselves to one specific area for the entire session. • Do not cut across the ice suddenly. Rather, move with the existing flow of skating traffic and keep moving along, using the entire perimeter of the rink. This will avoid collisions and unpleasant situations. • Do not skate in between a coach and their pupil during a lesson. Although innocently done during crowded ice sessions, this can easily disrupt the focus of a skater and a coach's explanation of and correction to an element. Know your surroundings while stroking around, preparing for a jump or setting up for a spin. • The only time a skater has the SOLE right of way is when they are wearing the orange vest and skating their program. When you hear another member's music start to play and know they're heading for the exact area you're practicing in, please extend that person the courtesy and move out of their path momentarily. This only takes a moment and you will enjoy the same courtesy while you are performing your program. • New or less experienced skaters should not hover too close to an advanced skater if they are spinning. Advanced skaters can change their body position in a spin very quickly and to avoid collision, please make sure you're at least 10 feet away. • Advanced skaters are expected to exhibit patience toward newer beginner members of the club, particularly on the All Level or Open sessions. Remember, you were an inexperienced skater once, and it takes time for our future generation to advance to the point where they are completely comfortable skating with all levels of skaters. •Any videoing of skaters on sessions must be done from a stationary position against the boards or from off ice so as not to impede the general flow of skating traffic. Unsafe or Discourteous Behavior Unsafe or discourteous behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. Violations and the manner in which they will be dealt with Violations of any tenets will be addressed at the time they occur by a member of the SFSC Board of Governors, a SFSC Club Officer, and/or a member of the Rules + Ice Committee. First offense: Club member will be addressed verbally (or following a session in private away from others) regarding the comment(s) they made or behavior they displayed. Second offense: If the violation occurs a second time, the person will be asked to leave the ice for the remainder of the contracted ice session. There will be no refund of ice. Repeated offenses: If a skater continually violates any tenet of the Skaters Code of Conduct, a letter will be sent to the individual's parents and coach and a conference will be scheduled to discuss the matter. Repeat offenses will be taken very seriously by the SFSC Board of Governors. Discipline may include loss of ice privileges for extended periods, and revocation of club membership. Click here for Jump Harness policy & rules.