Constitution Yacht Club · Boston Harbor
Code of Conduct
CYC is committed to a safe, respectful, and inclusive club for every member, guest, and participant — on the water and off. Here is what we expect of one another, and how to raise a concern if something isn't right.
In an emergency, call 911 first.
If someone is in danger right now, call 911 before doing anything else.
To report sexual misconduct or child abuse, contact the U.S. Center for SafeSport at uscenterforsafesport.org or 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233).
What We Expect of Each Other
Respect
Treat every person with dignity, kindness, and genuine respect. Speak up — or report — when you see bullying or harassment.
Honest Competition
Race hard and race fair. Be truthful about crew experience, sails, ratings, and entries — especially for restricted classes like the Rookie Class.
Safe Seamanship
Keep your boat seaworthy, carry required safety gear, sail with enough crew for the conditions, and avoid contact.
Who and Where It Applies
Everyone
Members, guests, participants, and volunteers of all ages. Members are responsible for the guests they invite.
Everywhere We Show Up
Races, regattas, meetings, and socials; events at other venues under the CYC name or flag; and email, texts, and social media.
How Concerns Are Handled
Not every concern is handled the same way. The most serious matters go to people outside the club who are trained and equipped to handle them.
Major
Sexual misconduct, child abuse, criminal conduct
CYC does not investigate these. They go directly to the authorities who do.
Report to:U.S. Center for SafeSport and/or local police
Serious
Harassment, bullying, threats, retaliation
Reviewed by US Sailing or an independent reviewer with no connection to the people involved. The Board decides consequences but does not judge the facts.
Report to:Any board member, the form below, or US Sailing
Standard
Unsportsmanlike or disruptive behavior, racing issues
Handled within the club, often informally. Racing matters like unsafe seamanship or competitive dishonesty are reviewed by the Fleet Captain.
Report to:Any board member or the form below
Our Commitments to You
Confidentiality
Reports are shared only with those who need them to handle the matter, and with authorities when the law requires it.
No Retaliation
Retaliating against anyone who reports, serves as a witness, or takes part in a review in good faith is itself a serious violation.
Recusal
Anyone involved in a report — or close to someone who is — steps aside from every related discussion and decision.
Fairness
Everyone involved is treated with fairness and sensitivity. A person accused is notified and given a chance to respond before any finding is made.
File a Report
Before you start: this form opens your email app with your report already written, addressed to the person you choose. Nothing is sent until you press Send. The person who receives it will see your email address.
All CYC officers and directors are mandatory reporters. If your report involves sexual misconduct or child abuse, whoever receives it must forward it to the U.S. Center for SafeSport within 24 hours.
All CYC officers and directors are mandatory reporters. If your report involves sexual misconduct or child abuse, whoever receives it must forward it to the U.S. Center for SafeSport within 24 hours.
Not sure who to contact? Choose the Code of Conduct Officer.
Please report directly to the U.S. Center for SafeSport at uscenterforsafesport.org or 833-587-7233. Child abuse should also be reported to local police. You can still send a report to CYC below, but it will take longer to reach the people who handle these matters, and the board member you send it to is required to forward it to SafeSport.
If anyone is in danger, call 911. Otherwise, contact local police. If you are an adult and this happened to you, the decision to go to the police is yours. You can also let CYC know below so the board can consider steps to keep everyone safe at club events.
Racing matters are reviewed by the Fleet Captain. You can choose the Fleet Captain above, or send to the Code of Conduct Officer. If a collision caused damage or injury, it must be reported to the race committee or Fleet Captain within 24 hours.
That's okay. Describe what happened, and the person who receives your report will figure out how it should be handled. When in doubt, CYC handles a report under the more serious process.
Your report opens in your email app. Review it, then press Send.
Your email app should now be open with your report. It isn't sent until you press Send there.
Didn't open? Copy your report and paste it into a new email.