Code of Conduct

Introduction

This code of conduct is designed in light of experience to enhance the values of our Club and to ensure that all members, their guests, and visitors enjoy the amenities of our pleasant, family friendly environment. Peninsula Canoe Club endorses the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport.

The Club promotes the values of:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Respect
• Fairness

This code applies to all Members of Peninsula Canoe Club. For the purposes of this code Peninsula Canoe Club uses the following definitions:

Complaint:

An expression of dissatisfaction of a Member, in writing, that requires a response from the Club Committee at their sole discretion.

Misconduct:

Misconduct, for the purposes of this Code, is the improper interference in the broadest sense with the proper functioning or activities of the Club, its Members, visitors, or employees. Subject to the general definition above, the following shall, inter alia, constitute misconduct:

• Disruption of, or improper interference with the administrative, sporting, social or other activities of the Club, whether on Club premises or elsewhere.
• Obstruction of or improper interference with the functions, duties or activities of any fellow member, member of staff or other employee of the Club or any visitor.
• Violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening, or offensive behaviour or language whilst on Club premises or engaged in any Club activity.
• Fraud, theft, deceit, deception, or dishonesty in relation to the club or its staff or in connection with holding any office in the Club or in relation to being a member of the Club.
• Behaviour likely to cause injury or impair safety on Club premises.
• Sexual, racial, gender or any other form of personal harassment of any fellow member, member of staff or other employee of the Club or any visitor.
• The use of any unfair means in competition.
• Damage to or defacement of club property, the property of other Club Members whether caused intentionally or recklessly, or the misappropriation or misuse of such property. Misuse or unauthorised use of Club premises or items of property (including the unauthorised use of Members’ craft), and including inappropriate use of personal devices
• Conduct which constitutes a criminal offence where that conduct takes place on Club premises, or affects or concerns other Members of the Club or members of the public, or itself constitutes misconduct within the terms of this code, or is an offence of dishonesty, where the Member holds an office of responsibility in the Club
• Conduct, which contravenes a previously imposed penalty, requirement or undertaking under this code
• Absolutely no illicit drug activity is permitted on the premises of Zandvlei Sports Club. Any person or persons caught using or selling narcotics will be prosecuted.

Disciplinary Procedures

The Committee of Peninsula Canoe Club will deal with all Club disciplinary matters. A sub-committee may be formed by the Committee to consider a complaint within the competency of the Committee. The Committee will also deal with any complaint about the misconduct of a Member of the Club at another affiliated canoe club or event in the same manner as if the offending conduct had occurred at Peninsula Club.

All matters which breach this code of conduct shall be processed as follows:

• The Club Committee or sub-committee, after receiving a complaint, may decide that the complaint does not constitute a serious enough issue to warrant further investigation and a hearing. The complainant will be so advised.
• If the Club Committee or sub-committee having considered the alleged complaint is of the view that the complaint is of serious enough nature to investigate further, it shall cause to obtain written statements from the complainant and any other witnesses or person who may have knowledge about the incident.
• After receipt of written statements, the Club Committee or sub-committee will then decide to either conduct an enquiry where parties involved will be called upon to attend a hearing to discuss what transpired or to conduct a disciplinary hearing.
• If an enquiry is called for and convened the Club committee or sub-committee may, at its sole discretion, decide to finalise the matter there and then, provided that apart from a reprimand no further sanction may be imposed unless a party agrees thereto. If it appears to the Club Committee or sub-committee that the matter is more serious than anticipated, it can refer the matter for a disciplinary hearing.
• If the Club Committee or sub-committee decides to conduct a disciplinary hearing, it will inform the person implicated when and where the hearing will be held and inform him or her in writing of the allegations. The implicated person will be informed that he or she has the right to call witnesses and to cross-examine witnesses called on behalf of the Club.

Note: No action will be taken by the Committee where reports of an incident are only overheard and commented on casually.

The following procedure must be followed by a Member laying a complaint:

1. Report the incident as soon as possible to a member of management or to a Club Committee member.
2. Put the complaint in writing and forward it to the Club Chairperson.
3. The complainant must avail himself or herself to provide oral evidence at a disciplinary hearing and be cross examined, or to take part in a general discussion at an enquiry.
4. Abstain from confronting the alleged wrongdoer.
5. Written complaint (including email) must be sent to the Club Chairperson no later than 10 days after the incident. If the complaint directly involves the Club Chairperson, the complaint should be addressed to the Secretary or Captain of the Club.

Once the complaints’ procedure is initiated by the Committee because of any of the above, the following procedure will apply:

1. The Member will be notified in writing of the complaint against him/her. A copy of the complaint will be enclosed. The Member will be given at least 7 days’ notice to attend the meeting for the purpose of responding to the complaint. Failure by the Member to attend this meeting, without good cause, will result in immediate sanction. If the complaint is challenged, the matter will be fully investigated. All parties to the complaint and relevant witnesses may be interviewed, if deemed necessary, by the Committee
2. Having considered all the facts, the Committee will decide whether to uphold the complaint. If the complaint is upheld the Committee will decide what sanction is appropriate. In the case of a complaint being referred to a sub-committee, its findings will be considered by the Committee in reaching its decision. The details of the decision will be recorded and minuted.
3. The Member will be informed of the committee’s decision in writing within 7 days. The Member may appeal the decision in writing to the Club Captain or Secretary or Chairperson within 10 days of receipt of the decision. The Committee will then refer the appeal to the Disciplinary Appeals Committee
4. The Disciplinary Appeals Committee will consist of three full Members of the Club who are not members of the Club Committee. The Disciplinary Appeals Committee must meet within 7 days of receipt of the appeal. Its deliberations will include consideration of all the facts already presented, any new evidence that may be relevant and may include recalling witnesses
5. The Disciplinary Appeals Committee must present its findings in writing to the Committee within 7 days of reaching their decision. The decision of the Disciplinary Appeals Committee will be final.

Sanctions

Any one or more of the following penalties may be imposed for a breach of the Club’s Code of Conduct:

1. A reprimand.
2. A written warning as to future conduct.
3. Suspension from membership of the Club and its facilities and activities for a determined period.
4. Proposal to the WCCU to suspend member.
5. A requirement from the Committee that the Member gives an undertaking as to future conduct in such terms and containing such conditions as the Committee may prescribe. A breach of this undertaking will constitute misconduct.
6. Expulsion from Peninsula Canoe Club and all its activities.
7. Such other penalties as determined from time to time by the Committee including but not limited to suspension from the Club