Governance

Code of Conduct

Policy

Hockey Saskatchewan is committed to providing a sport environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. Hockey Saskatchewan is committed to establishing procedures that oversee the behavior of athletes, coaches, parents, directors, officials, volunteers, staff, chaperones and others within the Hockey Saskatchewan Membership during the course of Hockey Saskatchewan activities. Hockey Saskatchewan encourages all of its member associations to create policies and procedures that outline clearly the expectations for conduct and the consequences for lack of adherence. Hockey Saskatchewan will provide resources to its members to work toward successful implementation.

Procedure

Shaping Character for Life …. More than a game

Hockey Saskatchewan is the governing body for organized hockey in the Province of Saskatchewan with a mission to Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Hockey Experiences. This Code applies to all Board members, participants, volunteers, all employees (permanent full-time, hourly, fixed term contract, permanent part-time), and any third-party service provider in face-to-face contact with our membership.

a) Definitions

i. The following terms have these meanings in this Code:

Association” – Hockey Saskatchewan
“Individuals” – All categories of membership defined in the Association’s Bylaws, as well as all individuals engaged in activities with the Association including, but not limited to, athletes, coaches, referees, officials, volunteers, managers, administrators, committee members, and directors and officers of the Association
“Harassment” – Behaviour that constitutes harassment is defined in Section 7(b)
“Workplace Harassment or Workplace Violence” – Behaviour that constitutes workplace harassment and workplace violence is defined in Section 7(c)
“Sexual harassment” – Behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment and workplace violence is defined in Section 7(d)

b) Purpose

i. The purpose of this Code is to ensure a safe and positive environment by making Individuals aware that there is an expectation of appropriate behaviour consistent with this Code. The Association supports equal opportunity, prohibits discriminatory practices, and is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and fairness.

c) Application of this Code

i. This Code applies to Individuals’ conduct during the Association’s business, activities, and events including, but not limited to, competitions, practices, tryouts, training camps, travel associated with the Association’s activities, the Association’s office environment, and any meetings.

ii. This Code also applies to Individuals’ conduct outside of the Association’s business, activities, and events when such conduct adversely affects relationships within the Association and/or its Members (and its work and sport environment) and is detrimental to the image and reputation of the Association. Such jurisdiction will be determined by the Association at its sole discretion.

iii. An Individual who violates this Code may be subject to sanctions. Sanctions may be appealed as per Hockey Saskatchewan guidelines.

iv. An employee of the Association found to have breached this Code will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

d) Responsibilities

i. Individuals have a responsibility to:

Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of the Association members and other individuals by: Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, age, ancestry, color, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sex, and sexual orientation
Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of Individual or the Association
Consistently demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct
Acting, when appropriate, to correct or prevent practices that are unjustly discriminatory
Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
Ensuring adherence to the rules of the sport and the spirit of those rules

ii. Refrain from Types of behaviour that constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:

Written or verbal abuse, threats, or outbursts
The display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive
Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo, or taunts
Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures
Condescending or patronizing behaviour which is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance or adversely affect participant(s)
Practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety, or negatively affect performance
Any form of hazing
Unwanted physical contact including, but not limited to, touching, petting, pinching, or kissing
Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests, or invitations
Physical or sexual assault
Behaviors such as those described above that are not directed towards a specific individual or group but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment
Retaliation or threats of retaliation against an individual who reports harassment

iii. Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes Workplace Harassment or Workplace Violence, where workplace harassment is defined as conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome; and where workplace violence is defined as the exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker; an attempt to exercise physical force against a worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker; or a statement or behaviour that it is reasonable for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker. Workplace matters should not be confused with legitimate, reasonable management actions that are part of the normal work function, including measures to correct performance deficiencies, such as placing someone on a performance improvement plan, or imposing discipline for workplace infractions. Types of behaviour that constitute workplace harassment or workplace violent include, but are not limited to:

Workplace Harassment

Bullying
Repeated offensive or intimidating phone calls or emails
Inappropriate touching, advances, suggestions or requests
Displaying or circulating offensive pictures, photographs or materials
Psychological abuse
Intimidating words or conduct (offensive jokes or innuendos)
Words or actions which are known or should reasonably be known to be offensive, embarrassing, humiliating, or demeaning

Workplace Violence

Verbal threats to attack a worker
Sending to or leaving threatening notes or emails
Making threatening physical gestures
Wielding a weapon
Hitting, pinching or unwanted touching which is not accidental
Blocking normal movement or physical interference, with or without the use of equipment
Sexual violence
Any attempt to engage in the type of conduct outlined above

iv. Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes Sexual Harassment, where sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or conduct of a sexual nature. Types of behaviour that constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

Sexist jokes
Display of sexually offensive material
Sexually degrading words used to describe a person
Inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life
Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions
Persistent unwanted contact

v. Abstain from the non-medical use of drugs or the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods. More specifically, the Association adopts and adheres to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. The Association will respect any penalty enacted pursuant to a breach of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, whether imposed by the Association or any other sport Association.

vi. Refrain from associating with any person for the purpose of coaching, training, competition, instruction, administration, management, athletic development, or supervision of the sport, who has incurred an anti-doping rule violation and is serving a sanction involving a period of ineligibility imposed pursuant to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program and/or the World Anti-Doping Code and recognized by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

vii. Refrain from the use of power or authority in an attempt to coerce another person to engage in inappropriate activities.

viii. During the course of all Hockey Saskatchewan activities and events members shall avoid behaviors that brings the Hockey Saskatchewan and/or the sport of hockey into disrepute, including but not limited to abusive use of alcohol, use of non-medical drugs and use of alcohol, tobacco products and ‘vaping’ by minors.

ix. Respect the property of others and not willfully cause damage.

x. Adhere to all federal, provincial, municipal and host country laws.

xi. Comply, always, with b.

xii. When driving a vehicle with an Individual:

Not have his or her license suspended
Not be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or substances
Have valid car insurance

Refrain from engaging in deliberate cheating which is intended to manipulate the outcome of a competition and/or not offer or receive any bribe which is intended to manipulate the outcome of a competition.

e) Board/Committee Members

In addition to section 7 (above), Association’s Directors and Committee Members will have additional responsibilities to:

Function primarily as a member of the board and/or committee(s) of ; not as a member of any other particular member or constituency
Act with honesty and integrity and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the nature and responsibilities of the business and the maintenance of Individuals’ confidence
Ensure that the ’s financial affairs are conducted in a responsible and transparent manner with due regard for all fiduciary responsibilities
Conduct themselves openly, professionally, lawfully and in good faith in the best interests of the
Be independent and impartial and not be influenced by self-interest, outside pressure, expectation of reward, or fear of criticism
Behave with decorum appropriate to both circumstance and position
Keep informed about the activities, the provincial sport community, and general trends in the sectors in which they operate
Exercise the degree of care, diligence, and skill required in the performance of their duties pursuant to the laws under which the is incorporated
Respect the confidentiality appropriate to issues of a sensitive nature
Respect the decisions of the majority and resign if unable to do so
Commit the time to attend meetings and be diligent in preparation for, and participation in, discussions at such meetings
Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of all governance documents
Conform to the bylaws and policies approved by

f) Coaches

In addition to section 7 (above), coaches have many additional responsibilities. The coach-athlete relationship is a privileged one and plays a critical role in the personal, sport, and athletic development of the athlete. Coaches must understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it, consciously or unconsciously. Coaches will:

Ensure a safe environment by selecting activities and establishing controls that are suitable for the age, experience, ability, and fitness level of the involved athletes
Prepare athletes systematically and progressively, using appropriate time frames and monitoring physical and psychological adjustments while refraining from using training methods or techniques that may harm athletes
Avoid compromising the present and future health of athletes by communicating and cooperating with sport medicine professionals in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of athletes’ medical and psychological treatments
Accept and promote athletes’ personal goals and refer athletes to other coaches and sports specialists as appropriate
Support the coaching staff of a training camp, provincial team, or national team; should an athlete qualify for participation with one of these programs
Provide athletes (and the parents/guardians of minor athletes) with the information necessary to be involved in the decisions that affect the athlete
Act in the best interest of the athlete’s development as a whole person
Comply with the Association’s Screening Policy, if applicable.
Report to the Association any ongoing criminal investigation, conviction, or existing bail conditions, including those for violence, child pornography, or possession, use, or sale of any illegal substance
Under no circumstances provide, promote, or condone the use of drugs (other than properly prescribed medications) or performance-enhancing substances and, in the case of minors, alcohol and/or tobacco
Respect athletes playing with other teams and, in dealings with them, not encroach upon topics or actions which are deemed to be within the realm of 'coaching', unless after first receiving approval from the coaches who are responsible for the athletes
Dress professionally, neatly, and inoffensively
Use inoffensive language, taking into account the audience being addressed
Recognize the power inherent in the position of coach and respect and promote the rights of all participants in sport. This is accomplished by establishing and following procedures for confidentiality (right to privacy), informed participation, and fair and reasonable treatment. Coaches have a special responsibility to respect and promote the rights of participants who are in a vulnerable or dependent position and less able to protect their own rights
Not engage in a sexual relationship with an athlete under 18 years old, or an intimate or sexual relationship with an athlete over the age of 18 if the coach is in a position of power, trust, or authority over the athlete
Refrain from using their power or authority to coerce another person to engage in or tolerate sexual or harmful activities
Refrain from conduct that causes physical or emotional harm to Individuals
Prevent the use of power or authority in an attempt, successful or not, to coerce another person to engage in or tolerate sexual activity

g) Athletes

In addition to section 7 (above), athletes will have additional responsibilities to:

Report any medical problems in a timely fashion, when such problems may limit their ability to travel, practice, or compete; or in the case of carded athletes, interfere with the athlete’s ability to fulfill their carded athlete requirements
Participate and appear on-time, well-nourished, and prepared to participate to their best abilities in all competitions, practices, training sessions, tryouts, tournaments, and events
Properly represent themselves and not attempt to participate in a competition for which they are not eligible by reason of age, classification, or other reason
Adhere to the ’s rules and requirements regarding clothing and equipment
Act in a sportsmanlike manner and not display appearances of violence, foul language, or gestures to other athletes, officials, coaches, or spectators
Dress in a manner representative of the ; focusing on neatness, cleanliness, and discretion
Act in accordance with the ’s policies and procedures and, when applicable, additional rules as outlined by coaches or managers

h) Officials

In addition to section 7 (above), officials will have additional responsibilities to:

Maintain and update their knowledge of the rules and rules changes
Work within the boundaries of their position’s description while supporting the work of other officials
Act as an ambassador of the Association by agreeing to enforce and abide by national and provincial rules and regulations
Take ownership of actions and decisions made while officiating
Respect the rights, dignity, and worth of all individuals
Not publicly criticize other officials or any club or the Association
Act openly, impartially, professionally, lawfully, and in good faith
Be fair, equitable, considerate, independent, honest, and impartial in all dealings
Respect the confidentiality required by issues of a sensitive nature, which may include ejections, defaults, forfeits, discipline processes, appeals, and specific information or data about Individuals
Honour all assignments unless unable to do so by virtue of illness or personal emergency, and in these cases inform the assignor or the Association at the earliest possible time
When writing reports, set out the true facts
Dress in proper attire for officiating

i) Parents/Guardians and Spectators

In addition to paragraph 7 above, Parents/Guardians and Spectators at events will:

Encourage athletes to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence
Condemn the use of violence in any form
Never ridicule a participant for making a mistake during a performance or practice
Provide positive comments that motivate and encourage participants continued effort
Respect the decisions and judgments of officials and encourage athletes to do the same. Feedback on competition performances is provided by officials only to the coaching staff, so parents are encouraged to discuss any questions with their athlete’s coach
Recognize that officials, executives and staff act in good faith, and in the best interests of the athletes and sport as a whole
Respect the decisions and judgments of officials, and encourage athletes to do the same
Never question an officials’ or staffs’ judgment or honesty
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse, coercion, intimidation and sarcasm
Respect and show appreciation to all competitors, and to the coaches, officials and other volunteers
Refrain from the use of bad language, nor harass competitors, coaches, officials, parents/guardians or other spectators

j) Staff/Employees and any 3^rd party service provider in face-to-face contact with our membership

In addition to section 7 above, staff/employees and 3^rd party service providers will have additional responsibilities to:

Promote the mission and objectives of Hockey Sask in all dealings with the public on behalf of the Association
Provide a positive and valued experience for those in contact with Hockey Sask
Act with fairness, honesty, integrity and in accordance with any professional standards and/or governing laws and legislation that have application to the responsibilities performed for or on behalf of Hockey Sask. Comply with both the letter and spirit of any training or orientation provided in connection with those responsibilities
Adhere to the policies and procedures of Hockey Sask and support the decisions and directions of Hockey Sask Board of Directors
Take responsibility for actions and decisions following reporting lines to facilitate the effective resolution of problems and do not exceed defined authority
Adhere to the Conflict of Interest Policy and formally disclose any conflicts that may occur
Respect and maintain the confidentiality of information gained as a volunteer or employee including but not limited to, all computer software and files, business documents and all volunteer, employee, membership, donor and supporter records

Hockey Saskatchewan – Code of Conduct Committee – Guidelines

Guidelines for Breaches

The Code of Conduct Committee investigates complaints only if it has the authority and jurisdiction to do so. The following guidelines will assist in determining jurisdiction.

Is the person a registered member/ staff member / participant (i.e. do they fit into one of the categories as defined in the policy?)
Is the complaint frivolous and vexatious such that Hockey Sask can dismiss it without embarking upon a full investigation?
Is there another member/committee/ Association that has an interest and/or duty to deal with this complaint? Has another member/committee/ Association dealt with this complaint with due diligence and respect for due process?

Other Considerations

The nature and gravity of the alleged conduct
The position and experience of the accused
The age of the affected party and the impact on the individual(s)
The number of times the alleged conduct occurred.
Whether the accused suffered consequences, including employment.
The presence of mitigating circumstances
The need to promote specific or general deterrence
The need to protect the public’s confidence of the Association.

The complaint must be a breach in the code of conduct as outlined in the policy

Check all that apply:

Harmful to the best interests or standing of the Association
Failure to comply with an order of discipline
An intentional act or omission designed to humiliate or cause distress or loss of dignity to any person involved in the Association (may include verbal or non-verbal behaviour)
Physically abusive conduct which involves the application of physical force that is excessive or inappropriate in the circumstances to any person
Sexually abusive conduct that violates a person’s sexual integrity, whether consensual or not that includes sexual exploitation
An act or omission that, in the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by the Association as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.
In violation of a law or conduct that would reasonably be regarded as placing one or more members of the Association or public in danger
Signing or issuing a document in the capacity that the individual knows or ought to know contains false, improper or misleading statement(s)
Falsifying a record relating to the individual’s responsibilities, providing false information or documents to the Association or to any other person with respect to the individual’s qualifications
Allegations that indicate a lack of knowledge, skill or judgement

The Code of Conduct Committee can pursue one of the following options following an investigation:

a) No further action – facts do not indicate misconduct leading to a breach.

b) No further action – conduct does not warrant further action (i.e. misconduct, but does not warrant action).

c) A written response – letter of guidance attempting a consent resolution process.

d) Refer matter to a formal investigation or appropriate authority.

e) Apply sanctions.

For Staff / employees

f) The Code of Conduct committee is responsible to deal with concerns regarding conduct of the General Manager only. The General Manager is responsible to deal with all other staff, followed by a report back to the committee regarding any breaches of the code of conduct.

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