The Provincetown Tennis Club is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all of our members and guests. To ensure safety and comfort for all, we require individuals to act appropriately at all times while they are using our Club or participating in our Tennis Programs. All members and guests are required to read and sign the ‘Requirements and Use of Premises’ form before playing. In addition, members must pay the appropriate membership fees before using the Club’s facilities. Specifics of 2011 fees and types of membership are summarized in the ‘Provincetown Tennis Club’ brochure which is available in the Club House.

We require persons using the Club to behave in a mature and responsible way and to respect the rights and dignity of others. Our code of conduct does not permit language or action that can hurt, threaten, frighten or belittle another person OR that generally falls below a generally accepted standard of conduct.

1.       The use of the Club’s facilities shall be restricted to members and their guests.

2.       Any car in the parking lot, not owned by a member or a guest or a DNA Gallery employee is subject to being towed away at the owner’s expense. Parking is on a first come, first served basis. Members and their guests are requested to leave their keys with the desk staff. Bicycles should be placed in the racks provided.

3.       Persons eating on Club premises are expected to put their refuse and waste paper in the trash receptacles and to make sure that no bottles or other breakables are left on the courts, porch or surrounding grounds.

4.       There shall be no solicitation of any kind on Club premises.

5.       Dogs are not allowed on the courts. Dogs are permitted on the porch and in the Club House. Owners are responsible for taking care of their dogs and cleaning up after them when they are on Club premises. Dogs must not be aggressive. Any incidents will be treated as a violation of policy.

6.       There is no smoking at any time on court, in the Club House or on the porch. Smoking is allowed only outside in front of the Club.

7.       Consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors is not permitted.

8.       The Club will not be responsible in any way for tennis equipment or any other property left on the Club’s premises. Members and guests are responsible for taking care of their own valuables.

9.       Club members or guests who willfully damage any property or disobey Club rules or otherwise engage in unbecoming conduct shall be subject to immediate discipline ranging from reprimand to ejection from the premises by the Club Manager or a member of his/her staff or one of the Board of Governors. The Board will decide whether suspension or revocation of membership is appropriate.

10.    All players must wear appropriate tennis shirts, shorts or dresses as well as rubber-soled tennis shoes. Players may not play bare-chested and sports bras are not acceptable.

11.    Regular club business hours are from 8 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. The Club Manager, Desk Staff and/or the Director of Tennis will make the ultimate decision on whether courts are in condition for playing during these hours.

12.    Unless otherwise instructed by staff, clay courts must be swept and line-cleaned at the end of matches so that they are ready for the next players on court or for watering.

13.    Members may reserve courts up to one (1) week in advance. Non prime-time court reservations are for a two (2) hour period. Reservations during prime time (8a.m. – 12.30p.m.  Saturday, Sunday and Holidays) are limited to FT seasonal members. Courts may be reserved for one and a half hours during prime time.

14.    The Club has a “No Refunds of Membership Dues” policy with one exception. FT members who become disabled within 2 weeks of joining the Club and whose disability prevents them from playing again during the current season will be given credit for the following season only. “Joining the Club” assumes that the FT member has paid the current year’s membership dues in full.  In the following year, the member will be required to pay any difference in dues. In such cases, FT members will be required to produce a doctor’s note confirming the member’s inability to play again during the current year.

The Club has the right and authority to deny access and playing privileges to anyone who refuses to sign the ‘Requirements for Use of Premises’ form or pay the appropriate membership fees before playing. In addition, membership and /or playing privileges will be denied to individuals who refuse to obey Club rules and/or who harass or threaten other tennis players, staff members or Board members in word and/or action.

If a member or guest displays unacceptable behavior, the Club Manager or a staff member or a Board member will immediately advise the offender that this behavior is out of order. Should the offense continue, the offender will be asked to leave the Club. If the offender refuses to leave, the Provincetown Police will be called.

Warning:  Within 14 days of the incident, after consultation with other Board members, the Rules and Regulations Committee will send a letter defining Club policy regarding unacceptable behavior and issue a warning that any future unacceptable behavior will result in suspension. The Appeals Process will be outlined.

NOTE: Depending on the severity of the incident, e.g., physical abuse of another member, the Board has the right to bypass the Warning stage and proceed directly to Suspension or Expulsion.

Suspension:  If a second incident occurs after receipt of the warning letter, the Board of Governors will vote on possible suspension and the length of the suspension period. A certified letter will be mailed within 14 days of the vote defining the suspension period (if any) and the appeals process. This letter will also include a warning that further incidents will result in permanent exclusion from the Club.

Expulsion: If a third incident occurs, the Board of Governors will vote on permanent exclusion from the Club. Within 14 days of the vote, a certified letter will be sent explaining the reasons for expulsion and defining the appeals process. If the appeals process is requested and the expulsion upheld, a letter will be sent to Club membership informing members that the offending player is no longer allowed on Club premises.

Administration of this policy: Members who witness unacceptable behavior are responsible for immediately reporting it to the Club Manager or a Staff Member or a Board member. The Rules and Regulations Committee is responsible for documenting the event for the Board’s review. If the Board approves disciplinary action, the Committee will send warning/suspension/expulsion letters to the offender. The Board is responsible for reviewing and acting on the incident. For second or third incidents, or for appeals, the President or Vice President is responsible for calling a meeting of the entire Board of Governors. At this meeting, specifics will be reviewed and a vote will be taken. A quorum is needed to approve the Board’s decision. A member of the Rules and Regulations Operations Committee will notify the offender of this decision.

Appeals Process:  After receiving a warning, suspension or expulsion letter, the offender may request a meeting with the Board to appeal their decision. The Rules and Regulations Committee will send a written notification of the meeting to everyone involved in the incident. During the period between the incident and the appeals meeting, the offender will not be allowed to play at the Club or to be on the Club’s grounds. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board will vote on whether to uphold or rescind their earlier decision. If a suspension or expulsion is rescinded, the offender may immediately resume playing at the Club and frequent the Club’s grounds.

Members shall have no further remedy beyond this appeals process. No membership fees shall be refunded to any members expelled from the Club.

(The Rules and Regulations noted above were approved at the 6/12/11 meeting)