About Us: Angie Fritsch and Danielle Johnston have been coaching more than 17 years. After several years teaching cheerleading, dance and tumbling at Whiteman Air Force Base Youth Center and Warrensburg Community Center, Angie and Danielle, along with their husbands, Dustin Fritsch and Justin Johnston, decided to open Twister Sports. We provide athletic and character education for more than 600 athletes representing approximately a 50-mile radius in the mid-Missouri area. In 2015, Twister Sports was named Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, and the gym has been featured in many trade magazines for its innovative approach to tumbling and rapid expansion. Our systems and methods have allowed us to grow quickly while maintaining a solid customer base. 

Our Staff: Our staff is comprised of fitness educators with a variety of backgrounds, qualifications and certifications. Some have cheered and tumbled locally as competitive athletes while others have backgrounds in education, family counseling, corporate fitness and other after-school activities and sports. All of our coaches are required to constantly maintain and increase their education to provide safe, quality sports and character education to our clients. While no two children are alike, each of our staff members also provide a variety of experiences and coaches styles. Our clients have a very low turnover rate, and our programs are continuing to expand. Many of our coaches, now management, program directors or lead instructors, have been on staff for several years.

Staff Training: Every staff member will complete an Orientation sometime throughout his or her training. The orientation will go over history of the gym, organization chart and staff policies. An Introductory Shift will give the new staff member exposure to every area of the gym, to include: Front desk, door greeter, observation of every program in the gym, cleaning and sanitation, and introduction to coaching. During your Introductory Shift, you will also watch a series of in-house training videos that will show you what proper Beginner/Intermediate skills should look like. You will then accomplish approximately four Shadowing shifts to observe our style of teaching, time-management practices and flow of classes/lobby. You will be assigned a trainer during each shift, who will be responsible for explaining how the classes will run and what he or she is doing throughout the shift. At the end of your final shift of shadowing, you will complete a Written Pre-Test and go over the test with the training manager. The test will establish what you know, and what you will still need to learn to pass the final written and hands on tests. You will then complete up to four shift of Hands-On Training. During these shifts, you will use what you learned in shadowing, with a coach by your side to teach you how to run a class and spot skills. Following the fourth shift of hands on training, you will complete a Final Written Test. This test will encompass all of the knowledge you learned at orientation and throughout your training. You will not receive help on this test, and it must be passed in order to move on to the hands on test. The final step of your training will include a Hands On Spotting Test. During this test, you will work with the training manager to demonstrate and explain how you will spot each skill. By this point in your training, you should be able to run the entire class alone with excellent time management, organization, safety and class engagement.  

Reviews and Feedback:  You will receive an employee performance feedback report from the training manager at the end of your first 90 days. During this time, he or she will recommend additional training, potential certifications and set goals by which you can work toward pay increases. Trainees are paid minimum wage until their training is complete.

I. Safety

1. Staff members will put the safety and security of the children first at all times. 
2. Odd or suspicious behavior by children (unexplained bruises, fearful children, etc.) and/or adults will be reported to the program director immediately. 
3. It is the responsibility of the front desk associates to ensure that children are leaving with a parent/guardian or authorized chaperone at the end of each practice. Children under the age of 12 who finish practice and cannot find their parent will sit on at the front desk until the parent is present. Parents are not required to stay with children ages 6 and up for the duration of the class, but must have an emergency contact number on file at all times.
4. Children will not tumble, stunt or play on the main floor without a coach present unless it is a scheduled open-gym time. Children will not be allowed to tumble, run or play tag in the lobby, arcade, parking lot, etc.
5. Staff members leaving after dark may request visual assistance from another staff member. If suspicious behavior is taking place in the parking lot, Twister staff will not leave until the situation has been resolved (via management or local law enforcement.) 
6. Athletes under age 12 may not wait in the parking lot for their parents to pick them up. After dark, athletes of any age may not wait for their parents in the parking lot.
7. Twister staff may not be alone in a room or facility with a child at any time. In the event of a private lesson, clinic, party or practice, a parent must stay until another adult is present.

II. Professional Behavior

1. Coaches will use appropriate language, tone of voice, attitude and behavior at all times to present themselves as positive, encouraging role models. 
2. Cell phones are prohibited during work hours unless they are being used for music or gym social-media pages (with authorization.) Texting between or during classes, while clocked in, is a liability and will not be allowed.
3. Staff members should arrive 5 minutes early for each shift. They will not clock in until they are dressed and ready for the shift, which must occur prior to the regularly scheduled time. Once they are clocked in, they are responsible for setting up for classes, dividing groups, reviewing assessment sheets and/or cleaning. Personal discussion at the front desk is not an appropriate use of time.
4. Twister staff is expected to arrive to work clean, with kept hair and professional make-up (if any worn) and without questionable odors. Hair color should be natural-looking and professional. Make up and nail colors should be neutral or professional. All coaches will be required to keep nail length at a maximum of a ¼ inch. 
5. If at any point a staff member is unable to pass a random drug inspection or background check or refuses to take a drug test, the employee will be terminated immediately (see zero tolerance policy for further details.) If the employee fails a drug test, he or she will be responsible for the cost of the drug test, any pro-rated training and uniform items, which will be deducted from their final paycheck. 
6. Harassment and bullying of any kind among coaches, athletes, parents or the like will not be tolerated and will result in termination.
7. Twister staff is highly discouraged from developing unprofessional relationships with each other in or out of the workplace. In the event that staff members develop a relationship, it must be brought to the attention of management within 30 days. In no way will drama of any kind be tolerated within the workplace. Twister staff must maintain only a professional relationship with clients and their family members at any time. Due to conflict of interest, staff members will be immediately terminated for violating this policy.
8. Employees must use professional behavior at all times when interacting with parents inside or outside of work. Staff members will not discuss information about other staff members, policies and procedures, athletes or training, routines, etc. with parents outside of the workplace and without a scheduled appointment set by Twister staff.
9. Competitive coaches may not travel or room with athletes or parents during traveling competitions. A room will be provided for Twister staff and shall be used for that purpose. Parents and athletes may not be in hotel rooms with coaches at any time.

III. Dress Code

1. Twister staff members will wear provided staff shirt and black or gray shorts, pants or leggings. Shorts must cover the entire bottom. Spanx, as a single form of covering, may not be worn by staff. There may not be any rips or tears in shirts or pants.
2. Staff will receive a uniform t-shirt on their first day of training. Additional staff shirts may be purchased for $7-10. If a staff member arrives at work not wearing his or her uniform, a shirt will be provided and the cost will be deducted from his or her next paycheck. 
3. Staff members being released or quitting within 30 days of hire will be docked pay for the cost of uniform, at the cost of per shirt provided. 
4. At no time will employees wear t-shirts from other gyms or competition t-shirts unless on special occasion at the authorization of management.

IV. Fitness

1. Twister staff tumbling during classes will be used for demonstration purposes only. Staff will not “demonstrate” tumbling that is above the skill level of the athletes they are teaching. Tumbling that is deemed as “for fun” or “show off” will not be allowed. Coaches who chose to tumble as demonstration will not be covered by worker’s compensation. 
2. Twister staff members may use floor space during “open gym” at no charge during the day at no charge. They must have a waiver on file and may not be clocked in or “working” during this time.
3. Staff who would like to maintain their skills, may attend any adult classes offered at Twister Sports at no charge, but must have an updated waiver on file.

V. Substitutions & Staff Duties

1. Employees will find a substitute to cover shifts when he/she cannot be at work. Substitutions must be approved by a manager or owner. Staff members called to military duty should make their best attempt to cover their classes through substitutions but legally may not be penalized. Staff members going home for winter, spring or summer break should notify the staffing manager at least 45 days prior to the first day which they will be gone. The requirement for a substitution will be based on the length of time they will be gone.
2. Junior Coaches are not appropriate substitutes for birthday parties or shifts. If at any time an employee has trouble finding a substitute, he or she will contact the staffing director for assistance. 
3. Employees who show up late to work will receive a write-up. Three write ups within one year are equal to termination. 
4. Employees who do not get shifts covered and have not notified management will be considered a “no-call, no-show” and will be terminated immediately. 
5. All staff must first attempt to call the gym prior to emailing or using social media for any notification. Text messages are not an acceptable form of communication between staff and management.  
6. Coaches will follow the suggested coach-to-student ratios for all classes. If there is an error and there are too many students, the head coach of each class will notify the front desk immediately. Coaches will be re-staffed by a manager, when necessary, to provide adequate coverage of each class. 
7. When overstaffing occurs, coaches will immediately notify a manager who will establish if there are other tasks to be done or if the staff member will be cut for the shift. 
8. From time to time, coaches may have side work each night such as sanitizing mats, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming the lobby, etc. Coaches may not clock out until their side work is done, if it has been assigned to a manager.
9. Staff members should keep the staff room clean and neat, and ensure food is removed from cubbies or the refrigerator at the end of each shift. All food put in common areas must say the staff member’s name, “Employee,” and the date. Food that does not follow this protocol, is expired, causes an unpleasant odor or has gone rancid will be thrown away without notice.
10. At the end of each shift, staff members will complete the end of the night closeout. This is an online form that can be completed from a cell phone, tablet or computer. It must be completed prior to clock out. The link is available to all staff. Failure to complete this form is a derelict of duty and will result in write up or termination.

VI. Staff Meetings & Incentives

1. Staff round-ups will occur prior to each shift when managers have pertinent information to distribute among the staff.  
2. Staff meetings will occur when deemed necessary by owners and management. They will be scheduled at least 14 days prior to the meeting. Sometimes these meetings will be hosted in order to disseminate information that needs explanation, introduce new staff or communicate updated policies. 
3. When conducted, staff meetings are mandatory for all staff members. This is considered a mandatory shift and may not be missed for any reason other than illness, with a doctor’s note. These meetings are essential to training and upkeep of the gym. Any staff members who miss this meeting are considered a no-call, no-show and will be terminated.
4.   Coaches who receive a time-off award must request to use the award with 7 days prior notice. Staff may not use more than 4 hours of time off awards at a time.
5. Staff members must be present at meetings to receive incentives and/or awards.
6. Employees must have at least 8 hours availability per week at all times. If availability diminishes below this number, management has the ability to release employees.
7. The children of staff members will receive free tuition on all recreational classes. In the event that they are in a competitive program, the staff member will be responsible for competition and uniform fees.
8. Staff members may get Coca Cola products at no charge if they bring their own cup. They may purchase a Coca Cola/Pita Pit cup for 25 cents if their own is not available. Twister Sports staff will receive 50% off at Pita Pit (except fountain drinks.) 

VII. Write ups will occur when a staff member has broken a gym policy. 

1. Write ups will be written by a Twister owner, manager or program director. 
2. Employee will have opportunity to review and rebut write-ups. If all parties agree on write up, form will remain on file, confidential, and will be accessible to the employee by appointment with the manager.
3. Employees who receive more than three write ups in one year’s time will be subject to termination. After each write up, employee’s schedule, hourly wage, and roles within the gym will be assessed and re-evaluated if needed. Employees shall not receive a pay increase within 90 days of write up, to include previously scheduled pay increase. (Exception: If an employee is making minimum wage, and the state law requires pay increase, Twister Sports will follow the law, but no other increase will be granted within 90 days of a write up.) 

VIII. Social media

1. Employees must use social media for positive, encouraging purposes only. It is a violation of a non-disclosure agreement with potential for legal action to release personal information about minors and policies of Twister Sports.
2. Twister staff will not engage in scheduling private lessons, diffusing situations and/or personal suggestions regarding skills via social media, text message or email with parents. This puts the coach at a legal liability if injury were to occur and violates the Twister policies. 
3. Coaches will only allow tags, photos and posts that are legal, appropriate and tactful on their personal social media pages. Coaches may befriend athletes and parents via social media, but shall not engage in anything that may violate a non-compete or non-disclosure agreement. Termination will occur if staff displays that they have used drugs, alcohol under the age of 21, tobacco under the age of 18 or behavior that would suggest sexual implications.

IX. Conflict

1. Coaches who deal with conflict between themselves and an athlete or parent should bring it to the attention of the program director immediately. The situation will be addressed by the program director, coach and parent of the athlete if and when it is necessary. Coaches who have conflict with an athlete should notify the program director before the parent notifies the director.
2. Coaches who have conflict with each other should first, try to resolve it respectfully within the gym in private. If it is necessary to have a third-party present, coaches shall ask for a mediator from a front-desk associate or program director depending on the nature of the conflict.
3. Coaches who have a conflict with a parent may not engage in discussion without a manager present. Parents of competitive sports must set up an appointment with a coach and the program director if they have a question or a concern. Immediately before, during and after practice is not an appropriate time to engage in discussion that may be controversial or negative. Coaches shall not engage in discussion via text, email or social media. Children will not be present at the initial meeting regarding conflict between a coach and a parent unless it is appropriate per the program director.
4. Coaches who have a conflict with management should first, try to solve the problem with the person before it becomes unmanageable. If it is not possible to have a conversation with the person alone, an owner or program director will be present. 

X. Birthday Parties

1. The privilege of additional hours exists through birthday parties. Staff members must sign up for birthday parties on the staff Facebook page. Each basic party package requires a lead coach while an extended party package will also have and a junior coach. Party staffing will be a primary task of the gym manager. Staffing may be readjusted if necessary by the manager or program directors. Coaches who sign up for a birthday party and are later unable to work must find a suitable substitute who can work the entire length of the shift. Junior coaches may not work birthday parties alone. 
2. Coaches will remain current on all birthday party policies, procedures and rules – and be comfortable enforcing said rules. Coaches who are not up-to-date on policies and fail to maintain current policies will be removed from parties and a write-up will be given. Management is happy to provide a review of “How to run a birthday party” at any time. Broken rules that put party members or equipment in danger may result in an increased fee for the party signer.
3. Staff members may not tumble, spot skills or play on equipment during birthday parties. For any reason. 
4. The high-performance bed trampoline is closed during all parties and playtime events. 
5. Bounce house capacity is 10 children. There must be a spotter at the bounce house if more than 10 children attempt to jump at the same time. Be aware of the cords so a bounce house does not deflate while children are bouncing. Please do not plug anything else in to the same outlets as the bounce houses so you do not flip a breaker – thereby deflating a bounce house.
6. Employees may not eat during parties regardless of invitations from the party hosts. This includes, but is not limited to, cake, pizza, snacks and personal meals.
7. The second coach on an Ultimate Party Package must be on the north floor monitoring the safety of the warped walls, tumble track and bootcamp obstacle course. 
8. If staff members experience problems at any time, he/she must immediately contact the manager on duty or program director.
9. A Birthday Closeout Form must be completed at the end of each party. This tells the management how the party went and that all protocols were followed. Failure to follow any rule or policy set forth will result in a loss of privileges in working birthday parties. 
10. Birthday parties will be called the following business day and surveyed to follow up about the quality, staff and value of the party.

XI. Pay schedule

• Twister staff will be paid on the 1st and 15th of each month. Paychecks reflect the following periods: 

Worked: Paycheck Distributed: 

September 1-15 October 1

September 15-30             October 15

Please discuss any questions with the payroll manager. Paychecks will be available for pick up on before and after business hours. Checks that have to be cancelled and re-issued will receive a $25 deduction to cover the bank fee. All checks are taxed per Missouri and Federal tax laws. An updated Federal W-4 and MO W-4 is required at all times.

1. Final paychecks will be mailed. Upon exit, employees must provide a valid mailing address.
2. Paychecks not cashed within 90 days of the date of issue will be turned over to the state of Missouri. 
3. Pay scales among staff members are completely confidential. Pay is based on a variety of aspects including: Experience, certifications, availability, necessity and specialized skills. Staff members shall not discuss pay with each other or clients at any time.
4. Pay increases will be considered upon request, upon certification, annually and after Employee Performance Reports.
5. Updated contact information must be on record at all times. Please see a manager or owner if your address or phone number changes.

XII. Employee Performance Report

1. Employees will receive an annual performance report to show areas of skill and areas for improvement. These reports will be done by a manager, program director or trainer.
2. Performance Reports may be management-driven if requested by an employee or determined by a manager.
3. Previous and current performance reports will be used, along with customer feedback, increased skill and certification and time with company to establish if a pay raise may be considered.

XIII. Certifications

1. Staff members who require certifications may receive those through Twister Sports or a nationally-accredited organization (ie: USAG, AACCA, USASF, CDC Concussion Training). 
2. Occasionally Twisters will offer opportunities for certification in-house. However, if staff members choose to receive those certifications elsewhere additional cost may be incurred by the staff member. 
3. Twister Sports will cover the cost of USAG, USASF and AACCA certifications and background checks for all competitive coaches when the season requires such certifications. The prorated fee of the certification or background check will be returned if at any point throughout that time the coach leaves. (For example, if a coach is certified for 3 years through the USASF for $300 and leaves after 1 year, then the coach’s final paycheck will have a deduction of $200.) Certifications and background investigations will follow coaches when they leave, so Twister Sports is “loaning” the money to the coach for the period of time in which he/she is certified until it is paid off and recertification begins. A non-compete contract, as well as a certification/credentialing request form must be completed prior to receiving any monies for credentialing. 
4. Twister Sports may pay travel expenses and per diem for certifications that require travel, however, requests must be approved by management 90 days in advance.
5. Recreational coaches may contact the program directors to request certifications. These certifications may allow for a pay increase and make a coach more marketable for additional hours. 

Contact Information: 

Warrensburg Twisters: 660-238-0577

Twistersports.com

[email protected]

www.jointwistersports.com

www.twisters2u.com

www.facebook.com/centralmissouritwisters

** Items may be added to subtracted to this document at any time. Copies of additional policies will be provided at that time. No additional signature will be required once a copy of each addendum is provided.