Code of Conduct

The Norwesters Alpine Club (“NAC”) aims to provide exceptional training and racing programs for athletes at all levels. Our programs are athlete-centered, coach-driven, and parent/guardian supported. We believe athletes have the best chance for success when everyone makes a coordinated team effort in the pursuit of excellence!

This code of conduct is designed to:

• Promote a positive public perception of NAC and its sponsors.

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.

• Promote the best possible environment, free of inappropriate behavior, in which athletes and coaches can strive for excellence.

Accepting the following guidelines and understanding the rules will allow everyone to perform at an optimum level by promoting good sportsmanship. This policy applies to conduct that may arise during any of NAC’s activities and events; including, but not limited to, training, travel, and races. Additionally, this code of conduct applies to any athlete, outside of races and training, while the individual is wearing the NAC uniform.

Athlete Responsibilities:

• Participate and commit fully to the training and racing plan set out by your coaches.

• Always give your best effort.

• Respect the Skier’s Responsibility Code

• Ski in Control

• Respect all skiers on the hill

• Obey posted signs and closures

• Show respect by always storing skis and other gear in their appropriate place.

• Avoid interference with other competitors during training or competition.

• Strive to be positive and supportive of others.

• Exercise self-control and responsible behavior.

• Respect private and public property.

• Refrain from the use of profane language.

• Work as a cooperative member of the team.

• Behave in a way that reflects favorably on the sport of alpine ski racing, Alpine Canada Alpin (“ACA”), Alpine Ontario Alpin (“AOA”), Lake Superior Division Alpine (“LSDA”), NAC, Loch Lomond, community sponsors, families and others who support NAC Parent/Guardian Responsibilities: and club members.

• Demonstrate personal integrity and respect by maintaining high standards of behavior, politeness, and sportsmanship.

• Demonstrate respect for all the members of ACA, AOA and the LSDA. This includes officials, volunteers, and competitors

Parent & Guardian Responsibilities

• Respect and honor all policies developed and communicated by the NAC Board of Directors and/or coaching staff.

• Set an example of positive behavior.

• Communicate in a respectful manner with the program director and coaches as needed on all aspects of the program.

• Communicate to the coaches or the program director on any personal needs or changes happening in the athlete’s personal life that may affect performance or behavior.

• Discuss issues or concerns outside of training sessions and races.

• Support coaches and officials’ decisions in public.

• Follow through on financial obligations with the club in a timely manner.

• Complete the Safe Sport training on an annual basis.

Coach and Program Director Responsibilities

Set the example and behave in accordance with the code of conduct as well as the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation and Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance code of ethics and principles.

• Represent the best interest of all athletes.

• Commit 100% to the NAC program and personal achievement of all athletes.

• Communicate with athletes on all aspects of their personal goals.

• Communicate with parents respectfully on aspects pertaining to their child’s progress.

Disciplinary Action

Minor Infractions

Behaviors that have a limited impact on the athlete, other athletes, or individuals and/or the program including, but not limited to:

• Inappropriate use of language.

• Failure to participate in the program in a positive manner.

• Infractions of any aspect of the Code of Conduct.

Penalties for Minor Infractions

If a minor infraction occurs during training or a race, the coach is responsible for administering disciplinary action, which may result in the loss of the privilege to participate in training and/or racing for the remainder of the training session or race.

For the first offence of a minor infraction, the coach will meet with the athlete and:

• State specifically the nature of the problem.

• State specifically which part of the Code of Conduct has been violated.

• Document the problem in writing.

• Notify the parent/guardian of the problem.

For repeated offences of a minor infraction, especially if it becomes an issue of persistent behavior, the athlete is subject to the penalties that apply to Major Infractions.

Major Infractions

Behaviors that have a serious impact on the athlete, other athletes, or individuals and/or the program, including but not limited to:

• Use of alcohol, tobacco products including vaping, illegal drugs, cannabis in any form, prescription drugs that are not medically approved, and banned performance-enhancing drugs or supplements.

• Persistent use of explicit language.

• Engaging in sexual misconduct.

• Harassment, hazing or bullying.

• Physical violence.

• Engaging in unsafe and/or unsanctioned activities.

• Theft and/or vandalism.

• Engaging in any criminal or illicit behavior.

• Persistent and repeated minor infractions.

Penalties of Major Infractions

If a major infraction occurs during training or a race, the coach is responsible for administering immediate disciplinary action which may result in the loss of the privilege to participate in the remainder of training or race.

The Coach will subsequently notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the program director of the issue in a timely manner. For all major infractions, a meeting will be held between the:

• Athlete

• Coach

• Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

• Program Director

The coach and/or program director will:

• State specifically the nature of the problem.

• State specifically which part of the Code of Conduct has been violated.

• Document the problem in writing.

• Advise if the issue will be submitted to a Review Panel for its assessment and possible subsequent disciplinary action. Please see below for details on the Review Panel Process.

Complaints

Complaints may differentiate between an ‘informal’ and ‘formal’ process.

Informal Process

These situations seek to resolve issues without investigation or assessing the merits of the allegations (for example, by facilitating communication between the people involved). This type of informal process is generally not appropriate where there are serious allegations. If an informal process is used, it must still be clear that the complaint will be taken seriously and addressed by the people who are responsible.

Formal Process

If an individual chooses to make a formal complaint, then it is required to be made in writing to the President of the Board.

Where possible, the complaint should include details of:

• What happened – a detailed description of the events or situation.

• When it happened – dates and times of the events or incidents.

• Where it happened

• Who saw it happen – the names of any witnesses.

The President will notify the person(s) complained against (respondents) of the complaint and provide the respondent(s) with a copy of the written complaint.

Protecting confidentiality and privacy is important, both to the person bringing forward the complaint, and the person(s) the complaint is made against.

Only share information about the complaint with people who need to know about it. For example, the person the complaint is against will need to know about the particulars of the complaint to respond to it. Witnesses will need some information about the incidents they are said to have been involved in or allegations they have knowledge of.

Any other persons involved with the complaints process should protect confidentiality and privacy and maintain the security of all documents related to complaints, including contents of meetings, interviews, and investigation reports.

Formal complaints in writing are considered a major infraction and subject to a Review Panel.

Review Panel

The investigation of the complaint must be impartial, timely, fair, and address all relevant issues.

The Review Panel should thoroughly interview both the complainant and the person(s) alleged to have engaged in actions against the complainant. The respondents should be given the opportunity to respond to each of the specific allegations raised by the complainant. The Panel should also interview any relevant witnesses identified by either the complainant or the respondent(s). Proper notes should be taken during interviews.

A Review Panel, where required, shall be comprised of:

• A coach, preferably not involved in the complaint.

• 3 NAC Board of Directors as appointed by the President, other than a parent of any individual involved in the complained of incident, or any person otherwise involved in the incident, or otherwise any persons with a conflict of interest.

Any athlete, coach, parent, chaperone, or other person who is the subject of the inquiry of the Review Panel has a right to attend and participate in a meeting with the Review Panel.

At the conclusion of the review, a formal report will be submitted to the NAC Board of Directors. It should include:

• The time, date, and location of the breach.

• The name(s) of the person(s) alleged to have breached the code.

• The name(s) of any person(s) who may have been wronged and the impact to him/her/them.

• A specification of the rule or guideline broken.

• A description of the circumstances surrounding the breach.

• The name(s) of other person(s) who were witness to the breach.

• Any other relevant information.

• Any disciplinary action that is determined.

Possible Disciplinary Measures for Major Infractions

• Suspension from training or competition for a set period of time.

• Suspension of travel privileges for a set period of time.

• Suspension and /or termination of club membership.

There will be no refund of program and/or race fees or make-up training sessions for time missed because of disciplinary action of any kind. If dismissal from the program, or an event occurs while traveling, the athlete may be sent home immediately at the parent's cost at whatever means is most convenient.

Parent Grievance Procedure

NAC will make every effort to address and resolve concerns and grievances. If an athlete or parent/guardian has a concern or grievance regarding any aspect of the program, please follow this procedure:

1. Discuss the issue with the athlete’s coach at an appropriate time.
   

2. If you are unable to resolve the issue, discuss it with the program director.

3. If the issue remains unresolved, bring the issue to the club president.

If your issue directly involves a coach or the program director, discuss it first with that individual. If the issue remains unresolved, take your grievance to the next appropriate level.

Unresolved cases will be subject to resolution via an internal Conflict Resolution Committee appointed by the Club President and comprised of unaffected individuals from the Board of Directors.

Concerns and grievances will NOT be addressed during training sessions or races as this is disruptive to both coaches and athletes.

Please schedule a time with the appropriate individual to discuss any issues.