OCST understands that on occasion it may be necessary for a swimmer to take a leave of absence from the Team, whether for personal or medical reasons. The following policies shall apply to any request for a leave of absence from OCST.
Leave of Absence (30-day)
Members shall be entitled to take at most one (1) 30-day leave of absence from the Team per year. OCST’s year runs from October 1 – September 30.
A 30-day leave of absence shall be for a complete calendar month (i.e. August, September). Partial months or a leave of absence that straddles two months (i.e. August 15 – September 15) are not allowed.
A completed 30-Day Leave of Absence Form must be submitted by member to the OCST Board at least fifteen (15) days prior to the first (1st) day of the month in which the leave of absence is to begin.
The 30-day Leave of Absence Form must be approved by OCST’s Head Coach.
A swimmer’s spot on the Team is guaranteed during an approved 30-Day leave of absence.
Service hours and fundraising obligations will not be adjusted.
Leave of Absence due to Medical Condition
If a swimmer is unable to participate in OCST programs due to a medical condition, members should meet with OCST’s Head Coach to discuss a medical leave of absence. Unless otherwise waived by OCST’s Head Coach or the OCST Board, all requests for a medical leave of absence should be accompanied by a letter from the swimmer’s doctor recommending suspension of the swimmer’s participation in OCST programs and the anticipated timing for the safe resumption of participation in OCST programs.
Requests for a medical leave of absence will be effective on the first (1st) day of the month following submission of a completed Medical Leave Tracker and membership dues will be suspended from that date forward.
For any medical leave lasting three (3) calendar months or less, membership dues for the swimmer on medical leave will be suspended and the swimmer’s spot on the Team will be guaranteed.
For any medical leave lasting more than three (3) months, unless otherwise approved by the Head Coach and the OCST Board, OCST will begin to charge one-half (½) of the membership dues for the swimmer on medical leave beginning on the fourth (4th) month of the medical leave of absence in order to continue to guarantee the swimmer’s spot on the Team.
Service hours will be adjusted.
If medical leave occurs during the Annual Fundraiser - Swim-a-thon™ - then there will be no fundraising obligation.
Reduced Return from Leave of Absence due to Medical Condition
If a swimmer has been on a Medical Leave of Absence and would like to return to the team only attending ½ or less of the weekly practices due to a doctor’s orders, then the swimmer may request a reduced return from medical leave of absence from the OCST Board.
The swimmer will be billed ½ of the current membership fees as long as they are attending ½ or less of the weekly practices for their current group.
If a swimmer returns to greater than ½ of the weekly practices for their current group, then they will return to their practice group in as a full time member with 100% membership dues responsibility.
Prior to return from Medical Leave of Absence, a swimmer’s USA Swimming registration must be paid and active.
A family’s volunteer obligation will resume upon return to the team (even at ½ or less time).
If a swimmer is on Reduced Return from Medical Leave of Absence during the Annual Fundraiser – Swim-a-thon™, then there will be a fundraising obligation.
At the time of returning to OCST, members will be required to bring their account current (if not already) before swimmer(s) can resume participation in OCST programs.
A member can only be on Reduced Return from Medical Leave of Absence for 2 months, unless otherwise approved by the Head Coach and OCST Board.
