Upper Midwest Gay Lesbian Athletic Association (GLASS)
Return to Play Guidelines
The Upper Midwest Gay Lesbian Athletic Association (GLASS) is committed to providing a safe and healthy recreational play environment for all our participants. We last updated our Return to Play protocol in July 2021; please see below for details. The GLASS Board will continue to assess the changing safety landscape as we progress through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and prioritize the health and safety of all its participants.
In addition to developing guidelines related to the physical health and safety of all GLASS participants, the GLASS board has also developed guidelines to ensure a safe and supportive play environment during GLASS activities. By choosing to participate in GLASS activities, players and spectators also choose to abide by these standards. The GLASS board encourages participants to contact a member of the board with concerns related to these standards of play, and also reserves the right to address issues that may arise.
COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines :
Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our recreational environments and our community. Participating in a GLASS event means that you agree to the following:
BEFORE AN EVENT
- Self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Participants are not allowed to play or be at recreational venues if they are experiencing symptoms, sick or recently tested positive for coronavirus
DURING AN EVENT
Any person displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to leave the recreational venue.
Masks are required for everyone when entering and exiting Minnehaha Academy. Once in the gym, vaccinated individuals are welcome to take their mask off (if they want). Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear a mask during GLASS activities (on court and sidelines).
DO NOT BRING YOUR VOLLEYBALL, NET, OR ANY OTHER COMMUNAL EQUIPMENT TO GLASS EVENTS (EVEN TO WARM UP!)
On the sidelines
- Sanitize your hands between every game and after touching other surfaces
- Do not share personal items
While playing (indoor specifications)
- Mask wearing is optional for vaccinated individuals and obligatory for unvaccinated individuals. (Open gym leaders will have disposable masks available if you need one.)
- DO NOT USE water fountains on premises, except to fill water bottle.
GLASS will regularly update its community on any changes to play guidelines. For the most up to date information, please check the GLASS website, follow GLASS Volleyball on Facebook, or email glass_vb@yahoo.com to be added to its listserv.
IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS WITHIN DAYS OF PARTICIPATING IN A GLASS EVENT
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- Inform GLASS either via email (glass_vb@yahoo.com) or by contacting an open gym leader or a member of the board directly as soon as possible
- Any sick participants will not be allowed to play in GLASS events until a week after the end of their isolation period and without experiencing symptoms (lingering loss of taste and smell is OK).
Safe & Supportive Play Standards:
GLASS is committed to providing a safe, fun, welcoming and competitive play environment for all its members through open gym play. To this end, GLASS hosts open gym several days a week, with each day designed for a different level of play.
Players are expected to attend open gym offerings that are best suited to their play.
Regardless of which open gym a player goes to, by attending a GLASS event, players agree to contribute to a safe, supportive, & respectful playing environment that adheres to GLASS’ core values.
Examples of actions that demonstrate GLASS core values:
- Encouraging communication on and off the court at all times
- Offering (solicited) advice on how to improve aspects of play
- Inviting new players into off court conversations, e.g., actively attempting to get to know new players, etc.
Examples of actions that are against GLASS core values:
- Rude, shady or disrespectful comments about other players
- Actively discluding individuals from being involved in plays
- Communicating angrily with teammates or opponents
- Harsh nonverbal communication with teammates or opponents (e.g., eye rolling, ignoring teammates, disengaging from team huddles or shows of camaraderie, etc.)
- Attending GLASS under the influence to the point it negatively impacts your play
- Consistently arriving late to play without advance notice given
Open gym organizers will be responsible for:
- Utilizing advance registration / payment process to organize their open gym
- Ensuring that teams are best designed for a balance in play that enables players to maximize their skills as much as possible
- Ensuring that players are aware of and encouraged to attend open gym offerings best suited to their play
- Setting an expectation of a safe, supportive & respectful playing environment
Players are encouraged to speak with an open gym organizer, a GLASS board member, or email glass_vb@yahoo.com to discuss any concerns related to these standards of play. An organizer may reach out to a player either before, during or after any open gym to offer feedback about any of these matters. If this happens, please treat them with respect.
Participating In A GLASS Event Means The Following :
BEFORE AN EVENT
- You are highly encouraged to get tested for coronavirus prior to participating in GLASS activities
- Self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Participants are not allowed to play or be at recreational venues if they are experiencing symptoms, sick or recently tested positive for coronavirus
DURING AN EVENT
- Any person displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to leave the recreational venue.
DO NOT BRING YOUR VOLLEYBALL, NET, OR ANY OTHER COMMUNAL EQUIPMENT TO GLASS EVENTS (EVEN TO WARM UP!)
ON THE SIDELINES
- No extended congregating before or after play
- Maintain social/physical distancing of at least six feet from other participants at all possible times
- For outdoor play, bring a folding chair or other viable option to allow for six+ feet distance at all times
- When physical distancing isn’t possible, follow consistent safe hygiene practice
- Wear a mask/face covering at all times when not participating on the field of play
- Sanitize your hands between every game and after touching other surfaces
- Do not share personal items
- No spectators or non-participants will be allowed until industry guidance advises that it is safe. If you need to have a non-participant on site, they must adhere to the guidelines outlined in this document
WHILE PLAYING (Indoor Specifications)
GLASS will resume offering indoor open gym play opportunities in November 2020. In order to create as safe playing environment as possible, all open gym participants must adhere to the following guidelines for the foreseeable future:
- Wear a mask/face covering at all times indoors (except for brief drink or food breaks). If you need to take off your mask for more than a brief moment, go outdoors to do so. (Open gym leaders will have disposable masks available if you need one.)
- Stay at your assigned courts for warmups, play, and breaks (except when going to restroom, outside, etc.) Teams/courts will be assigned before open gyms starts and posted outside the gym.
- DO NOT USE water fountains on premises. Bring enough water to last the whole evening.
- No handshakes or contact celebrations (e.g. high-fives, fist bumps, hugs, etc.)
GLASS will regularly update its community on any changes to play guidelines. For the most up to date information, please check the GLASS website, follow GLASS Volleyball on Facebook, or email glass_vb@yahoo.com to be added to its listserv.
IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS WITHIN DAYS OF PARTICIPATING IN A GLASS EVENT:
- Inform GLASS either via email (glass_vb@yahoo.com) or by contacting an open gym leader or a member of the board directly as soon as possible
- Any sick participants will not be allowed to play in GLASS events until a week after the end of their isolation period and without experiencing symptoms (lingering loss of taste and smell is OK).
Participant safety is of utmost importance. GLASS volleyball will follow Minnesota Department of Health’s guidance for notifications/closures in the event of a participant testing positive for coronavirus.
Unfortunately, no amount of precaution and extra effort can guarantee a completely sterile environment, so all participants agree to participate at their own risk.
Read USAV’s Return-to-Play Guidelines and the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Sports Guidance for Youth and Adults for more information on individual and group safety measures.