Code of Conduct / Non Compete
- V2 / Last Updated: 03-01-2023
The Men's Roller Derby Association (MRDA) strives to advance the sport of roller derby through positively representing the organization. The MRDA prides itself on cultivating an environment where individuals can enjoy the sport of roller derby. MRDA Representatives do so by demonstrating positive judgment and good sportsmanship in all situations; maintaining a sense of integrity for oneself and the organization; treating all participants, spectators and business associates with the utmost respect.
Purpose: The purpose of this document is to clearly outline expectations of MRDA Representatives and what MRDA Representatives can expect in certain cases of poor judgment. For the purposes of this document, the term 'MRDA Representatives' will be used to refer to all MRDA members, skaters, coaches, managers, administrators, volunteers, and officials of MRDA events. In participating with MRDA leagues or at MRDA events, MRDA Representatives acknowledge that they understand and will adhere to the expectations set forth below.
Expectations: Any MRDA Representative who demonstrates poor judgment may be subject to disciplinary action. All concerns should be directed to the Director of Member Relations.
MRDA Representatives shall be expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner (courteous, conscientious, ethical, and generally businesslike) towards the public, media, and any and all business partners of the MRDA as well as all Representatives of the MRDA when wearing league/team/or MRDA logos and/or while attending league or team-sponsored events, including, but not limited to practices, bouts, tournaments, charity events, promotional events, and fundraisers.
No MRDA Representative shall participate in any practice, bout, scrimmage or tournament in which they are a rostered skater or official, or at any league, team or MRDA sponsored event where they are facilitating MRDA business and/or handling MRDA funds while under the influence of any drug, alcohol or substance that impairs judgment or physical coordination.
All MRDA Representatives of legal drinking age who choose to consume alcohol shall be expected to maintain a responsible level of consumption at any and all league, team or MRDA events, provided said usage does not violate sections 1 and 2. Any such MRDA Representative that appears to be intoxicated and/or is causing a disturbance at a league, team or MRDA event will be required to remove their skates (if applicable) and/or turn their shirt inside out so that the league, team or MRDA logo is not visible. If said MRDA Representative continues to cause a disturbance, they will be required to leave the event. No MRDA Representative under the legal drinking age will be permitted to drink alcohol at any league, team or MRDA events. Any underage MRDA Representative violating this policy will be required to leave the event. Violation of this policy will result in removal from the event and disciplinary action.
All MRDA Representatives are encouraged to attempt to amicably resolve any interpersonal issues with other MRDA Representatives. If no resolution can be reached, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Director of Member Relations. The Director of Member Relations will assess how the issue should be handled.
MRDA Representatives are not to interact in a negative manner with other parties present (including but not limited to vendors, volunteers and support staff) at any league, team or MRDA sponsored event. If there is any issue, MRDA Representatives must immediately bring the concern to the Event Coordinator, then if needed to the Director of Member Relations for resolution. Representatives must not attempt to handle the situation on their own.
No MRDA Representative shall engage in a physical altercation with another party at any MRDA event. During bout play, the Head Referee will assess penalties, expulsions and/or suspensions in accordance with the latest version of The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby. Any MRDA Representative who engages in a physical altercation with another party at a MRDA event will be automatically suspended from participation in the remainder of the event. An appeal to allow the offending MRDA Representative to resume participation may be made to the MRDA Games Committee by that MRDA Representative's official league Representative. If necessary, legal authorities may be called upon to remove the offending MRDA Representative from the event premises and further legal action may be incurred. Following the event, affected parties who wish to file a grievance may consult the Director of Member Relations.
MRDA Confidentiality Agreement
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT: In exchange for the mutual promises and obligations in this Agreement, MRDA proposes to disclose certain confidential and proprietary information (the “Confidential Information”) to any signatory hereto referred to as (“Recipient”). Confidential Information shall include all communications, data, materials, products, technology, computer programs, login and password information, marketing plans and ideas, training information or plans, specifications, manuals, business plans, software, financial information and access to information, information generated by MRDA’s online forum, a MRDA special committee, MRDA meetings and issues discussed therein, and other information disclosed or submitted, orally, in writing, or by any other media that is conspicuously marked or otherwise identified as confidential or proprietary upon receipt by the Recipient or the Recipient otherwise knows or has reason to know that the same is Confidential Information. For avoidance of doubt, Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to:
- MRDA’s bylaws, standard policy and/or procedure manuals, training materials, processes, formulas, know-how, scientific, technical, or product information, computer software and applications, whether patentable or not, which is of value to MRDA and not generally known by MRDA’s competitors;
- Confidential business information of MRDA, including, but not limited to financial information, production operations, website operations, information regarding trademark and other intellectual property rights, event planning, and MRDA Policies and Procedures as defined further below;
- All communications on the MRDA online forum, which are not open to the public;
- All matters, whether specifically labeled “Confidential” or not, discussed in MRDA meetings, whether online or in person;
- All materials circulated at any MRDA meeting, either online or in person, whether or not specifically labeled “Confidential”;
- Other information designated by MRDA or deemed by law to be Confidential Information; and
- All matters related to proposed MRDA plans for the future whether or not they are described in items a-f above.
The Recipient will protect Confidential Information against any unauthorized use or disclosure. The Recipient will use any Confidential Information solely for the purposes for which it is provided by MRDA.
Further, absent express written consent from an authorized MRDA representative, Recipient shall not disclose any MRDA Confidential Information to anyone not privy to, or authorized to receive, such MRDA Confidential Information. Only MRDA members who have executed this Code of Conduct Acknowledgment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement are authorized to receive Confidential Information.
Recipient shall have no obligation under the Agreement with respect to Confidential Information that is or becomes publicly available without breach of this Agreement by Recipient; is rightfully received by Recipient without obligations of confidentiality; or is developed by Recipient without breach of this Agreement; provided, however, such Confidential Information shall not be disclosed until thirty (30) days after written notice of intent to disclose is given to MRDA along with the asserted grounds for disclosure and written approval is granted by MRDA.
Disclosure of Confidential Information. In exchange for the mutual promises and obligations contained in this Agreement, MRDA promises to deliver and provide to Recipient on an as needed basis, Confidential Information.
Specialized Training. As applicable to Recipient’s position with MRDA, MRDA agrees to provide Recipient with specialized training and instruction regarding MRDA operations, practices, and specialized techniques relating to skating, conditioning, strategy, as well as marketing techniques and strategies. Recipient recognizes that MRDA expends valuable resources on training, and the specialized training would not otherwise be available to recipient without MRDA’s relationship with Recipient. In consideration for participation in MRDA, Recipient agrees to use this specialized training for the exclusive benefit of MRDA while Recipient is a member of MRDA. Failure of recipient to avail themselves of this Specialized Training will not nullify their obligations under this Agreement.
MRDA Non-Compete Agreement
Non-Solicitation of MRDA participants. During the period of Recipient’s Provisional Training Period (i.e., Recipient’s first two full months as a member of MRDA), and any continuing position with MRDA that may occur, and for a period of eighteen (18) months after Recipient’s last day of participation with the MRDA, or eighteen (18) months from the date of any court order enforcing all or part of this Non-Solicitation provision, whichever is later, Recipient will not directly or indirectly participate in any capacity in soliciting, recruiting or hiring any person who at such time is a participant of MRDA for an organization whose mission is to be a governing body for the sport of roller derby unless given explicit written permission by the Executive Board of Directors of the MRDA.This prohibition against solicitation of MRDA Participants does not apply to the following roller derby organizations, so long as the nature of the solicitation does not impede or conflict with that MRDA Participants' duties and responsibilities to MRDA:- Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA, USA).
Non-Solicitation of Sponsors. In return for MRDA providing Recipient with Confidential Information and specialized training, during the period of Recipient’s participation with MRDA and for a period of eighteen (18) months after Recipient’s last day of participation with MRDA, or eighteen (18) months from the date of any court order enforcing all or part of this Non-Solicitation provision, whichever is later, Recipient, will not directly or indirectly accept or participate in any capacity in soliciting any Sponsor of MRDA.
ADOPTION OF MRDA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: MRDA has adopted certain policies and procedures that govern the operation of MRDA (“the Policies and Procedures”). Such policies and procedures include, but are not limited to, the MRDA Bylaws and Code of Conduct. All members of MRDA will abide by these Policies and Procedures as provided to Recipient in writing, either online or in person. Failure to abide by these Policies and Procedures could result in suspension or termination of MRDA membership.
REMEDIES/EQUITABLE RELIEF: Recipient agrees that in the event of any breach or threatened violation of this Agreement, Recipient’s membership with MRDA may be suspended or terminated. In addition, concurrent with and independent of any decisions regarding MRDA membership, MRDA may seek to obtain, in addition to any other legal remedies that may be available, such equitable relief as may be necessary to protect MRDA against any such breach or threatened violation;
Additional Remedies. The protections afforded to the Confidential Information under this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the protections afforded under any applicable trade secrets laws, including the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.Severability. If any term of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, then this Agreement, including all of the remaining items, will remain in full force and effect as if such invalid or unenforceable term had never been included.
No Waiver. Either party’s failure to insist on any one or more instances upon strict performance by the other party of any of the terms of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any continuing or subsequent failure to perform or delay in performance of any term hereof.
Headings. Headings used in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and shall not be used to construe meaning or intent.
Notices. Any notice required by this Agreement or given in connection with it shall be in writing and shall be given to the appropriate party by personal delivery or by certified mail; postage prepaid, or recognized delivery services.
