FENB Code of Conduct for Members [EN]

Last revised: April 20, 2020

Code of Conduct for Members

FENB believes it is important to promote respectful behaviour among its members. In particular, members are expected to behave in a manner that shows:

1. respect for themselves
2. respect for fellow participants including teammates, opponents and coaches
3. respect for the rules of the sport both in word and spirit
4. respect for the work and decisions of officials and other support volunteers
5. respect for the safety of themselves and others

These expectations include practice environments, competition environments, team travel to and from events and any other events in which members of FENB participate.

Specific guidelines regarding behaviours:

1. Refrain from speaking or acting towards others in demeaning ways (eg. comments or behaviour that is sexist, racist, abusive or harassing).
2. Refrain from the use of alcohol, illegal drugs or any banned substances.
3. Refrain from pranks or other activities that endanger or ridicule others.
4. Refrain from organizing or participating in activities related to hazing rituals.
5. Refrain from arguing with tournament officials or displaying anger over the outcome of a fencing match.
6. Refrain from activities or behaviours that may interfere with or distract others, thereby lessening their ability to prepare for or focus on the competition.
7. Refrain from purposely breaking or ignoring the rules to gain an advantage in a fencing match.
8. Follow specific guidelines set by coaches and managers for behaviour within the event or program.

Disciplinary Action

This policy applies to all categories of members of Fencing-Escrime NB (FENB) and to all individuals participating in activities with FENB.  These include, but are not limited to athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, managers, volunteers, directors, officers and employees.

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR AND ACTIVITIES 

Behaviour and activity that obstructs or hinders the rights of others to enjoy the event is unacceptable and prohibited.  Activities that are unacceptable and prohibited include:

LEVEL I (behaviours of easily resolvable nature)

• Creating a disturbance
• Using profanity/obscene language directed at/or disturbing to others
• Engaging in horseplay or causing unsafe conditions
• Causing unsanitary conditions
• Wearing attire or displaying material intolerant of human rights
• Blocking thoroughfares/corridors/stairways/exits

LEVEL II (any unresolved problems from level 1 and those behaviours that may cause harm to members and/or the community):

• Fighting/harassing
• Any activity intimidating/threatening others, or disrupting a program or event
• Cheating
• Participating in or promoting any initiation practices that involve behaviours that are offensive, unsafe, humiliating or in poor taste, with or without the agreement of participants

LEVEL III (behaviours of a clearly criminal nature)

• Vandalizing property
• Use or possession of prohibited substances by minors including alcohol, drugs, and tobacco
• Harassment or interference of a sexual nature
• Possession or use of illegal substances of any kind by any participant
• Physical violence of an extreme nature
• Stealing
• Possession of a weapon other than fencing equipment

CONSEQUENCES

LEVEL I

• First Occurrence:  A verbal warning will be given by the appropriate person having authority over the individual involved: This person may include, but is not restricted to, a coach, tournament/event organizer or host, committee or board member or Executive Director.
• Second Occurrence: Dismissal from practice/competition/event
  Parents informed in the case of a minor
• Third Occurrence: Becomes a Level II offence

LEVEL II

An Infraction Report of the circumstances must be written.  Once received by FENB, a Discipline Committee will be established, consisting of at least three individuals; none of the individuals shall be related to the alleged parties and they shall be free from any reasonable perception of bias.  A copy of the report shall be sent to the individual(s), and parents in case of a minor, within 7 days of FENB receiving the report and an opportunity for the individual(s) to respond shall be provided.  Anyone wishing to report a breach of the conduct guidelines should attempt to maintain the greatest possible confidentiality by discussing one’s concerns with as few people as possible outside of those designated specifically to deal with such concerns.  A full investigation must be conducted which would include interviews with the involved athlete, coach, member or volunteer, and must include interviews with relevant witnesses.  This will happen as soon as possible, but not more than 21 days after being appointed.  The committee will determine the seriousness of the offence.  All information from this investigation must be documented and kept on file.

The Discipline Committee will impose consequences consistent with the offense which may include but not limited to:

• Letter of apology and/or other written document (essay etc.)
• Restitution for damages
• Suspension from part or all fencing activities for a specified amount of time (may include suspension or expulsion from specific programs such as provincial high performance program or Canada Games)
• Suspension of FENB/CFF membership for a specified period

All Level II and Level III offences will be recorded and retained in a disciplinary file at the Association for a period of two years.

LEVEL III

Any offences of a criminal or illegal nature are considered extremely serious and will be treated as such by FENB officials. Consequences will be severe and will include:

• immediate suspension from participation in the event
• Immediate three month suspension from all fencing membership privileges (FENB/CFF) or employment
• Involvement of authorities and parents or legal guardians
• Disciplinary hearing

Appeal Process

Competition in the sport is governed by the rules set by the international organization, Federation Internationale d’Escrime (FIE), so appeals pertaining to competition follow FIE standards. This policy applies to the decision process within the provincial association.

Any member of FENB who feels that a decision relative to FENB’s policies was not fairly taken, shall have the right to appeal that decision. If not explicitly stated as part of the decision-making process (e.g., Team Selection Criteria), individuals wishing to appeal the decision shall have five days from the time he/she received the written decision to launch an appeal. All appeals shall be in writing. Detailed reasons for the appeal shall be submitted to the Executive Director of FENB.

Upon receipt of a notice of appeal, the Executive Director will review the appeal to determine whether there are any grounds for the appeal.

An appeal may only be heard if there are permissible grounds for the appeal. Permissible grounds include FENB decision-making authority:

• Making a decision for which it did not have authority or jurisdiction as set out in governing documents;
• Failing to follow FENB procedures;
• Making a decision that was influenced by bias, where bias is defined as a lack of neutrality to such an extent that the decision maker is unable to consider other views;
• Failing to consider relevant information or taking into account irrelevant information in making the decision;
• Exercising its discretion for an improper purpose or in bad faith; and/or
• Making a decision that was unreasonable.

The Executive Director will inform the person filing the appeal whether or not there are grounds for the appeal. If there are grounds, an appeal hearing will be held once the Executive Director appoints a three-person Committee, and an appointed chairperson, who may or may not be involved in fencing.  The Chairperson will be non-voting and all four persons selected shall have no interest in the matter referred to them.

The Appeals Committee may decide to void, vary or confirm the decision being appealed. The decision of the Appeals Committee will be effective immediately and may be applied retroactively where it is fair and reasonable to do so. The Appeals Committee shall provide a copy of its decision to the appellant, the appellant’s advocate and the Executive Director.

The Executive Director will forward a copy of the decision to the appellant’s coach, the Discipline Committee, and if the appellant is under the age of 19, his/her parent(s) and/or guardian(s).

The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding, and not open to any further appeal or intervention.

If the Executive Director is seen as being in a conflict of interest position relative to the appeal, the President, or a designated FENB board member, will assume the responsibility of the Executive Director for managing the appeal process.