member conduct

Overview

Sports Car Club of America™ (SCCA®) is built on community — drivers, workers, volunteers, staff and guests who show up for each other, event after event. A great member experience depends on everyone treating each other with respect, on and off the track. This page covers what we expect of our members, the different levels of conduct concerns, and where to turn depending on what you’re experiencing or witnessing.

Our Standards

Every SCCA member agrees to:

Respect fellow Club members and guests at all times
Show appreciation to volunteers who give their time and energy to the Club
Abide by the rules and engage in fair competition
Act with integrity and the highest standards of sportsmanship
Behave in ways that enhance the image of the SCCA

This is the Code of Member Conduct, and it’s part of what every member agrees to when joining, renewing or rejoining the Club. It applies at SCCA-sanctioned events and away, including online.

SCCA also maintains a Welcoming Environment for everyone who takes part in Club activities, including guests, vendors, contractors and staff — regardless of gender, race, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status. Visitors and guests aren’t bound by the Code of Member Conduct the way members are, but they’re expected to uphold the Welcoming Environment, and can be asked to leave an event or online space for disruptive behavior.

Details

Understanding Levels of Concern

Not every conduct issue calls for the same response, and not everything needs to go to the National Office. SCCA groups conduct concerns into three levels, and each one points to a different next step.

Level	What it looks like	Where to take it
Boorish Behavior	General rudeness, insensitivity, a raised voice, interrupting, or other everyday incivility that makes someone uncomfortable but doesn't rise to harassment.	This usually doesn't need to go to the National Office. If you're comfortable and it's safe, address it directly with the person involved, or raise it with a Region leader or Event Official.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct	Taunting, sarcasm, obscene gestures, profane language, offensive jokes, or other comments that demean or disparage members or guests; a Club Leader or Event Official knowingly bending the rules.	Report it to your local Region or Event Officials, or to the National Office. Either is appropriate — what matters is that it gets addressed.
Serious or Illegal Conduct	Discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, physical assault, stalking, bullying, threats, retaliation, or other unlawful behavior.	Contact the National Office immediately: [email protected] or 800-770-2055. If there is an immediate safety concern or the conduct may be criminal, contact local law enforcement first — call 911 in an emergency — then notify the National Office.

How to Decide

If it happened on-track during competition, it’s handled in the moment by Event Officials under the program rules — not through this process.
If it’s off-track, involves a pattern of behavior, or you’re not sure how serious it is, your Region leaders and Event Officials are a good first stop for most day-to-day concerns.
If it’s serious, potentially illegal, or you don’t feel it can be resolved locally, bring it to the National Office.

How to Report

Anyone — member, guest, worker or bystander — can report a concern. Reports may be submitted regardless of when the conduct occurred. There’s no statute of limitations on SCCA’s ability to look into a report.

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Membership

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Report Conduct

Membership

What Happens Next

Every report is reviewed to determine whether it’s a local Region or event matter, or something that warrants a formal investigation. Depending on the severity of the concern, that may include gathering statements from those involved. SCCA doesn’t publicly share the status or outcome of individual cases — that protects the privacy of everyone involved — but the people directly party to a report are kept informed at key points along the way.

The Club strictly prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith or takes part in an investigation, even if the underlying complaint isn’t ultimately substantiated. Knowingly making a false report, in bad faith, is treated as a conduct violation in its own right.

FAQs

Where does the SCCA get its authority to take reports or investigate misconduct?

SCCA Bylaws Article II – Membership, Section 4. Termination, Suspension and Renewal, paragraph (d) states, “The Board of Directors, or the governing body of a Regular Member’s Region may suspend a Member at any time for infraction of any Club rule or any other cause if the suspending body deems the action in the best interests of the Club.”

SCCA Bylaws Article VI – Administration, Section 1. Board of Directors states that the BOD “shall establish the policies of the Club and shall oversee and direct the implementation and execution of such policies and the administration of the affairs of the Club by the executive committee, such other committees as it determines to appoint and authorize, and the staff of the Club.”

SCCA Bylaws Article VI – Administration, Section 5. Operations Manual states, “The SCCA Operations Manual shall be the Official operating guide for all areas of SCCA administration. It shall further the guiding principle of the SCCA: The ultimate direction of the Club rests with the Members. In furthering this guiding principle, the Operations Manual provides an equitable system of administrative due process.”

SCCA Operations Manual I. Forward; C. SCCA Welcoming Environment Statement describes the SCCA Mission, Vision, Values, and Welcoming Environment, and C.1 Member in Good Standing describes the Code of Member Conduct.

SCCA Operations Manual B. Organization; 1. Membership; 1.7 Conduct Unbecoming a Member describes all manner of inappropriate behavior and unsportsmanlike conduct, along with levels of severity, the reporting mechanism, and anti-retaliation.

SCCA Operations Manual B. Organization; 1. Membership; 4. National Office Responsibilities and Administrative Procedures; 4.1 Administration describes primary responsibilities of the National Office related to administration and coordination of activities which cross Divisional, Regional and Program parameters, such as member conduct issues. Further, the Membership Department has established the Member Acknowledgment which appears on all paperwork and online when joining, renewing, or rejoining, and requires agreement before moving forward with the process.

Why doesn’t the SCCA publicly release information about case resolutions?

Public disclosure of investigation-related information is inconsistent with best practices and can jeopardize the Club’s ability to protect affected individuals. Final decisions are always shared with the Claimant(s), Respondent, and relevant Region Leaders or Event Officials.

What about freedom of speech?

Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear. But this freedom is not absolute; common limitations or boundaries to freedom of speech relate to libel, slander, obscenity, pornography, agitation, provocation, the right to privacy and dignity, and many others. Therefore, SCCA members have the right to freedom of speech or expression so long as they are not causing harm to other members or the Club in general.

What are the “Foundations of the Club” and where can I find them?

This document contains language that illustrates how we should show up every day as SCCA Club members, and includes the SCCA Mission, Vision, Values, Welcoming Environment, Member Acknowledgment, and Code of Member Conduct.

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What do I do if I have a concern about member misconduct?

The SCCA strives to ensure that ALL participants in its events and activities enjoy a welcoming environment. Information about Membership Conduct Concerns can be found here.