faqs

We are a membership association – a Club – and a positive “Member Experience” is key to our future success. Taking care of our members while simultaneously enhancing our public image is vital to attract new members and grow the Club. Heightened social awareness, the growth of social media, and the worldwide phenomenon of incivility and disrespect require us to enact policies related to protecting our members, our reputation, and our brand.

Misconduct violates generally accepted SCCA rules of good sportsmanship and includes any behavior that unreasonably or negatively impacts another’s experience with the Club. Any form of misconduct can negatively impact people’s perceptions or beliefs about the Club and interfere with safety, effectiveness, and fun. Whether they occur in-person or online, these behaviors are in direct opposition to the Code of Member Conduct and the SCCA Mission, Vision and Values, and Welcoming Environment (see SCCA Foundations of the Club).

Persons with an active membership in the SCCA, or those who were active when a reported incident occurred are covered by the Code of Member Conduct; all members agree to comply, when joining, through the mandatory Member Acknowledgment. While visitors, guests, vendors, and other non-members are not covered by the Code of Member Conduct, they are covered by the Welcoming Environment Statement and subject to removal from SCCA events, activities, or online sites for questionable conduct or unruly behavior.

Yes. We classify a range from simple incivility to gross misconduct in three levels:

→  Severe acts include discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, physical assault, stalking, bullying, threatening, retaliation, illegal (criminal or civil) behavior, and any severe or pervasive behavior that creates a hostile or offensive environment.

→  Unsportsmanlike conduct includes taunting, sarcasm, innuendo, obscene gestures, foul or profane language, offensive jokes, or other verbally abusive comments that could be viewed as demeaning or that disparage members or guests, and unethical behaviors by Leaders and Officials who knowingly violate the rules. Personal harassment is conduct or comments which are intimidating, demeaning, or abusive and is behavior which is known or ought reasonably to be known as unwelcome.

→  Boorish behaviors include general rudeness, insensitivity, teasing, a raised voice, and other incivility or lack of common decency which can embarrass members and make guests uncomfortable, and negatively impact another’s experience with the SCCA.

Anyone with information or concerns about SCCA member behavior occurring off-track (on-track behaviors are managed by Event Officials). An anti-retaliation policy is in place to prevent negative consequences for those reporting or participating in an investigation. Those who knowingly make a maliciously false allegation or provide false or misleading information during an investigation, or otherwise act in bad faith will be subject to disciplinary action.

Report misconduct to local Region or Event Officials; email [email protected]; or call Member Services at 800-770-2055. A Misconduct Report form can be found on the Member Account Portal > Member Resources > File Cabinet > Region Development.

Not all misconduct is strictly illegal; first, determine the severity.

→  Behaviors such as sexual assault or sexual abuse represent potential criminal activity and should be reported to the authorities. To report criminal activity, contact local law enforcement first; they can determine if the situation needs attention. If it is an emergency, call 911. If you report potentially illegal activities to the authorities, always notify the SCCA National Office which will fully investigate the accusation, including claims of sexual harassment, and determine the best course of action.

→  Other conduct can range from unsportsmanlike conduct i.e., threatening, or demeaning others, to unethical behavior by Club Leaders or Event Officials, to boorish behaviors i.e., general rudeness, insensitivity, or obscene gestures. These may be uncomfortable for the individual and embarrass the Club, but they are not illegal, so report them to Region or Event Officials or to the National Office.

No, but a report of known or suspected abuse of a minor will be reported to the authorities.

No. Reports may be made based on misconduct alleged to have occurred at any time in the past; this differs from criminal investigation standards where statutes of limitations may apply.

The SCCA undertakes a preliminary inquiry to assess whether the report is a local Region or Event issue. We then determine the severity and whether there is reason to believe a policy violation may have occurred. If so, the Club initiates an investigation. Claimants (those making the complaint) will be contacted to discuss the details of the report and, depending on the severity of the behavior, Respondents (the accused) will be asked to provide a statement and witnesses may be asked to corroborate claims or provide statements. Severe acts and unsportsmanlike behavior will be addressed by the SCCA Board of Directors. For lesser violations, coaching and feedback may occur.

The “preponderance of evidence” standard is met when it is more likely than not that a claim is true. This differs from the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard used in criminal law.

To protect the integrity of the process and the confidentiality of affected individuals, the SCCA generally does not communicate publicly on the status or outcome of investigations. The Club communicates directly with Claimants and Respondents at important milestones in the investigative process. If the SCCA enacts a temporary measure or sanction that affects a Respondent’s eligibility to participate, it can be found in the Member Account Portal under Action History/Discipline (if program related) or Membership Status (active, suspended, etc.).

On occasion, SCCA members may become aware of certain behavior that is beyond boorish or unsportsmanlike. Reports of members found guilty of crimes of a sexual nature and those appearing on a Sex Offenders list should not be taken lightly and must be acted upon immediately. Anyone in a Regional, Divisional or National Leadership position who is aware of past or current potential criminal activity of a sexual nature MUST report it to the National Office who will initiate a mandatory investigation of the report. Information about those who have been found guilty of sexual misconduct and convicted of a crime can be found on the internet, along with names of those required to report where they live if they are on a Sex Offender list. If the National Office is provided evidence of current or past criminal activity and/or the requirement to report their whereabouts, the SCCA Board of Directors or local Regions may immediately suspend the Member while the investigation is underway.

The relevant Region Leaders and Event Officials must ensure enforcement of any temporary measure or permanent sanction issued by the Board of Directors. Typically, a member suspended or expelled from the Club may also be prohibited from attending an event or activity as a participant or crew member, occasionally even as a spectator.

Yes. The SCCA is a member club of ACCUS – the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States, which is an umbrella organization of auto racing sanctioning bodies in the United States. ACCUS is the Official liaison of U.S. sanctioning bodies to the FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. As such, SCCA works with other sanctioning bodies on reports of SCCA member conduct at events not sanctioned by SCCA.