GEVA REGION VOLLEYBALL ASSICIATION

Initial Plan for resuming sanctioning of activities:

In this unprecedented and difficult time, the administrative staff of the Region have been meeting on a regular basis, with some in contact daily. The Commissioner, Junior Competition Chair, and the Officials Chair are attending virtual USAV National Meetings and conversing with various USAV offices to keep up with the latest information.

There is positive work being done.  We are on track to have a new and more productive Member Management System and a friendlier, more productive Academy. Please understand that in most cases USAV and the other thirty-nine regions are struggling along, as we are, with no more definitive information or answers.

After considering all of the information gathered from, and provided by USAV, the IOPC,Federal, State and Local Authorities it has become evident that we are going to be restricted fora longer time than we hoped for.

An ongoing mandate for the Garden Empire Region is to provide a healthy and safe environment for our members. The Executive Committee has decided to set an initial date that will limit any sanctioning of volleyball activity within the Region. We are beginning to establish interim guidelines to set some expectations and allow for planning for a safe reopening.  You are being notified today that the Garden Empire Region will not consider any sanctions (authorizations) of any in person or gathered group volleyball activity prior to June 15, 2020. We reviewing the situation on an ongoing basis.

The only exception is the virtual training approved by USAV when conducted under the strict guidelines provided by them.  Please read thoroughly and act upon the information below.

Respectfully, GEVA Executive Committee

Process Update:  Please read carefully and fully this important note of clarification and amendment to the previous message from GEVA with regard to One to One virtual Contact.  

The procedure is being amended to provide a best practices approach to help protect all persons involved.

GEVA is clarifying that all approvals of one to one contact are for virtual contact only. It remains a violation for any Affiliated Adult to be alone with any Junior Member Athlete other than the approved virtual contact.  The administration of this process is a Club responsibility.  The jurisdiction remains with the Region, USAV and The Center for Safesport.

Note: A club does not need to use the form provided.  The Club can create their own form or use another verifiable method to obtain the consent.  Any adapted format used must indicate that it is issued by the club, must comply with the Center for Safesport and USAV guidelines and must be retained and verified by the Club.  Any approved one to one contact between an Affiliated Adult any Junior Member Athlete is to be for the purpose of virtual contact only for instruction or evaluation purposes.  It is highly recommended that the Club Administrators contact the Parent or Guardian in each approved case to assure the signature on the approval is theirs and is valid.  All video exchanged must be copied to the Parent / Guardian or other approved person. 

Respectfully, GEVA Junior Director

There is a significant update posted by USAV.  Please review it.  It is in no way to be interpreted as an approval to resume normal activities,  We are still quite far away from that in GEVA.  The Junior Competition Committee will meet again tomorrow.  Expect more updates soon.

Also of Note, All remaining qualifiers were cancelled as of today.  

May 6, 2020 Update

As referenced in USAV’s communication on April 24, a “return to play” task force was established by USA Volleyball to create a comprehensive roadmap to safely restart USAV’s sanctioning of activities when it is appropriate.

USA Volleyball is extending the elimination of sanctions (authorizations) for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, team activities, individual training sessions, or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) through at least May 22, 2020.  The entire USAV message was sent for preview Monday night and is posted on their update page as of yesterday.

As noted Monday, the Executive Committee did meet last night. Here are GEVA's response and amendments to yesterday's update from USAV

GEVA’ Response and amendments to USA Volleyball’s statement regarding additional insurances follows:

USA Volleyball and GEVA have been asked by clubs whether such a ban applies to club activities covered under the club’s own (non-USA Volleyball) insurance. GEVA fully supports USA Volleyball’s position as it is stated.  “In these situations, USA Volleyball strongly encourages all member clubs and coaches to adhere to USA Volleyball’s policies. However, should a club decide to voluntarily disregard those policies and assume all risks associated therewith, we recommend that the club adheres to CDC; local, state, and federal guidelines and recommendations when deciding whether or not to host practices or individual training sessions. If a club does host practice or individual training sessions, those activities would be considered a non-sanctioned activity by USA Volleyball and thus NOT covered by USA Volleyball insurance.”  GEVA further recommends that persons who hold a current USAV membership be notified that although their membership is in effect, these specific activities are not sanctioned (authorized), and therefore their USAV insurance is not in effect.  

The health and welfare of our membership, volleyball families, and fellow citizens is our primary concern in all decisions we are making during these uncharted times.

USA Volleyball and GEVA are monitoring the situation daily and will continue to provide updates on a regular basis.

April 24, 2020 Update

Dear USA Volleyball Membership,

As parts of our nation have commenced plans for reopening, USA Volleyball CEO Jamie Davis and Board Chair Cecile Reynaud have established a task force to create a comprehensive roadmap to safely restart USAV’s sanctioning of activities when it is appropriate. 

Locate the article by following the USVA Covid-19 link      ↗️

The 2020 USA Volleyball Adult Open National Championships - CANCELED

Opens Participants and Fans,

It is with a sad heart that we must officially cancel the 2020 USA Volleyball Open National Championships in Minneapolis, MN.

We want to thank everyone for providing their feedback on the survey that was sent out last week. In order to host the best event possible, we need all of our participants from all over the US and abroad to be able to compete for their respective championship. After considering all information currently available nationwide, there was no viable alternative left but to cancel the event for the 2020 season. We know that this will disappoint many of our teams, and we are deeply saddened as well.

Thank you all again for your patience and support during these unprecedented times. We hope you all stay safe and healthy, and we look forward to seeing you back in 2021.

Sincerely,

USAV Events Staff