Community Code of Conduct

Version 2.0.0 · Effective 2026-07-22

CLUBS HQ COMMUNITY CODE OF CONDUCT

Version 2.0.0 | Effective July 22, 2026

This Code applies to every member, coach, organizer, volunteer, guest, and venue partner, during in-person gatherings, online interaction on the Platform, and any partnered event. It is a baseline; individual clubs may add stricter rules of their own.

(Note: this Code sets behavioral expectations. Technical and content rules are in the Acceptable Use Policy; the two are enforced together.)

1. Respect and Inclusivity

  • All paces welcome. We welcome athletes of every pace, body type, background, ability, and experience level. No-drop and back-of-pack runners are full members of this community.
  • Zero tolerance for harassment. Harassment, discrimination, bullying, and intimidation are not tolerated — including unwanted physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention, persistent unwanted communication, slurs, offensive "jokes," and digital harassment.
  • Consent matters. Ask before touching anyone, including congratulatory contact, adjusting form, or assisting with stretching. Coaches: get explicit permission before any hands-on instruction, every time.
  • Respect names and pronouns. Use the name and pronouns a person tells you to use.
  • Respect the public. Treat pedestrians, drivers, park staff, and venue employees with courtesy. You are representing the club.

2. Safety on the Run

  • Obey traffic laws. Use crosswalks, obey signals, run against traffic where there is no sidewalk, and yield when appropriate.
  • Be visible. Wear reflective gear and lights in low light. Organizers may require this.
  • Follow the organizer. Follow route instructions, safety briefings, and turnaround points.
  • Headphones. Keep at least one ear open, or keep volume low enough to hear traffic, instructions, and other runners. Some clubs prohibit headphones entirely — follow the club's rule.
  • Know your limits. Do not attempt a pace group beyond your current fitness. Stop if you feel chest pain, dizziness, disorientation, or unusual shortness of breath.
  • Never run through a head injury. Anyone who has hit their head or shows signs of concussion must stop for the day and be evaluated by a medical professional before returning.
  • Heat and weather. Follow organizer decisions on cancellation or modification. Hydrate. Do not shame anyone for stopping.
  • Don't leave anyone behind. Groups should have a designated sweep. If someone drops off, someone stays with them.
  • Tell someone. If you leave a group run early, tell the organizer. Do not simply disappear.

3. Looking Out for Each Other

  • Emergencies. Call 911 first, then notify the organizer. Every organizer should know where the nearest emergency access point is.
  • If someone is struggling, stop and help. Getting a personal record is never more important than another person's safety.
  • Report unsafe behavior, including a coach or organizer behaving unsafely.

4. Minors in the Community

When anyone under 18 is present at a club activity:

  • A parent, guardian, or club-designated responsible adult must be present or have provided written authorization.
  • No adult should be alone and unobserved with a minor who is not their own child. Coaching, conversations, and transport should happen in observable settings.
  • No private one-to-one electronic communication between an adult and an unrelated minor. Include a parent or use a club channel.
  • No photographs of a minor may be published without their parent's or guardian's consent.
  • No transportation of an unrelated minor without written parental permission.
  • Adults coaching minors in a paid or regular capacity are subject to additional requirements in the Organizer and Coach Platform Agreement.
  • Report any concern about a minor's safety to info@clubshq.us with SAFETY in the subject line and, where a child may be at risk, to law enforcement.

5. Photography, Video, and Privacy

  • Ask before photographing anyone in a way that focuses on them individually, and before posting it.
  • Honor "no." If someone asks not to be photographed or asks for a photo to be removed, comply promptly.
  • Never photograph anyone in a locker room, changing area, or restroom.
  • Do not share another member's location, route, or schedule outside the club without their permission.

6. Alcohol, Substances, and Post-Run Gatherings

  • Members of legal drinking age may drink at post-run gatherings; nobody should ever be pressured to.
  • Do not run impaired, and do not drive impaired. Organizers should encourage rideshare and may refuse participation to anyone visibly impaired.
  • Illegal drug use at club activities is prohibited.
  • Clubs must ensure alcohol is never served or provided to anyone under 21.

7. Community Spaces

  • Leave no trace. Pack out what you bring; leave spaces cleaner than you found them.
  • Respect venue partners. Follow their rules, tip fairly, and don't overstay when a business needs the space.
  • Share trails. Yield appropriately, announce passes, keep dogs leashed where required, and follow posted rules.

8. Online Conduct

The Acceptable Use Policy governs online behavior in full. In short: be civil, stay on topic, don't spam, don't pile on, don't post other people's private information, and remember that a club board is not a private conversation.

9. Reporting and Consequences

9.1 How to report

  • To your club: any organizer or club admin.
  • To Clubs HQ: the in-app Report control, or info@clubshq.us.
  • Child safety: info@clubshq.us with SAFETY in the subject line.
  • Anonymously: clubshq.us/report.
  • Emergency: 911.

9.2 What happens

Reports are acknowledged, reviewed by someone not involved in the incident where possible, and handled as confidentially as circumstances allow. We will tell you the outcome to the extent we are able.

9.3 No retaliation

Retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith, or who participates in a review, is itself a serious violation.

9.4 Consequences

Depending on severity: a conversation, a formal warning, a temporary suspension from activities, removal from a club, removal of organizer or coach privileges, permanent removal from the Platform, and referral to law enforcement. Harassment, violence, and conduct endangering a minor result in immediate removal.

9.5 Appeals

Club-level decisions are appealed to the club's leadership. Platform-level decisions are appealed to info@clubshq.us (subject: Appeal) within 30 days.

10. Club Supplement (Template)

Clubs may append their own rules below. Club rules may be stricter than this Code but may never permit conduct this Code prohibits. Clubs HQ does not review or endorse club supplements.

{{club_name}} Supplemental Rules

  • Headphone policy: [___]
  • Pace group and no-drop policy: [___]
  • Dogs and strollers: [___]
  • Weather cancellation policy and where it is announced: [___]
  • Membership dues and refund policy: [___]
  • Club-specific safety requirements: [___]
  • Club contact for reports: [___]

By using the Clubs HQ Platform and participating in club activities, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to abide by this Community Code of Conduct.

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