Fannin County Parks and Recreation Department
Non-Discrimination Policy
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Non-Discrimination Policy is to ensure that the Fannin County Parks and Recreation Department programs and related facilities and third-party sponsored programs do not discriminate against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, disability or national origin in the operation, conduct or administrations of county programs for youth or adults. The intent of this policy is expand and support equal participation in county programs and to provide all community programs with equal access to facilities.
Background
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act is a federal statute created to prohibit sex discrimination in education programs that receive federal financial assistance. Nearly every educational institution is a recipient of federal funds, and therefore is required to comply with Title IX.
In 1975, Washington adopted its own Title IX legislation in RCW 28A.640.010, which prohibits inequality in the educational opportunities afforded to women and girls at all levels of public schools in Washington State.
Currently, neither Title IX nor RCW 28A.640.010 extend protection to opportunities in community athletics programs. However, ESSB 5967, to be codified at Chapter 35A.21, was passed by the legislature and became effective on July 26, 2009. The legislature has specifically found that the dramatic increases in participation rates at both the high school and college levels since Title IX was passed show that when doors are opened to women and girls, they will participate. Further, athletic opportunities provide innumerable benefits to participants, including greater academic success, better physical and psychological health, responsible social behaviors, and enhanced interpersonal skills. ESSB 5967 requires cities to adopt a policy that prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of sex in the operation, conduct, and administration of community programs. The Department fully agrees with and supports the legislature’s findings and recognizes the importance of full equitable participation in community programs.
Definitions
“Community Program” means any program that is organized for the purposes of training for and engaging in activity and competition that is in any way operated, conducted, administered, or supported by the Fannin Co. Parks & Recreation Department.
“Third Party Sponsor” means a third party receiving a lease or permit from the Fannin Co. Parks & Recreation Department for a community program.
Policy
It is the policy of the Department that all community programs and related facilities will be operated, maintained, and administered to meet the recreational needs of all citizens, regardless of sex, color, religion, disability or national origins.
Participation: The Department will make available the same number of program participation slots to men and women, whereby in total, participation opportunity slots in department-sponsored community programs is identical. All Department-sponsored community classes will be open to all citizens. The Department will maintain records indicating the general participation levels of men and women by each individual program or activity.
Facility Access: The opportunity to use a facility that supports the provision of community programs will be afforded on an equal basis and in a non-discriminatory manner. The Department shall schedule facility use and practice time such that it affords everyone the same privileges, such as weekday/weekend preferences, time of day, quality of the practice facility, and facility capacity.
Funding and Advertising: Funds dedicated to providing community programs will be expended to equally benefit men and women. Any advertising will inform the public of the availability of men’s and women’s participation slots.
Review of Third Party Sponsors: On an annual basis, the Department will discuss with third party sponsors the status of their community programs related to the administration of this Policy.
Policy Distribution
ESSB 5967, codified at Chapter 35A.21, requires that this Policy be published and disseminated. At a minimum, this Policy will be on display at the Fannin Co. Recreation Dept. office when people visit the office gathering information on programs and scheduling events.
Contract Provisions
All contracts with third party sponsors and permit applications to organize community programs will contain language that prohibits the third party sponsor from discriminating against any person on the basis of sex in the operation, conduct, or administration of community programs for youth or adults.
Contact Information
This policy shall be administered by the Fannin Co. Recreation Director and the Fannin Co. Board of Commissioners. All complaints of discrimination should be submitted in writing to the Fannin Co. Recreation Dept. and the Fannin Co. Board of Commissioners. Please allow the Department 30 business days to respond. The Parks & Recreation Complex is located at 370 Tom Boyd Rd., Blue Ridge, GA 30513 and may be reached at 706-632-7696. The Fannin Co. Board of Commissioners is located at 400 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 and may be reached at 706-632-2203.