Anti-Harassment/ Sexual Harassment/ Anti Bullying Policy
PURPOSE
To ensure that all Committee Members, players, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators associated with Phillip Island Bowling Club enjoy an environment free from harassment of any kind including sexual harassment or bullying
POLICY
Harassment of any kind is not acceptable at Phillip Island Bowling Club and complaints related to behaviour of this nature (see definition) will be treated as serious and will be dealt with promptly, confidentially and impartially by the Committee or chosen independent party. No person who lodges a complaint with respect to harassment will be disadvantaged because they have made the complaint.
DEFINITIONS
Harassment includes behaviour such as telling insulting jokes about particular racial groups, displaying racially offensive or pornographic posters or screen savers, making derogatory comments about someone's race, making humiliating comments about a person's disability, or asking intrusive questions about someone's personal life.
Harassment can be against the law when it is discriminatory (discrimination), when it includes conduct of a sexual nature (sexual harassment) or when it causes a risk to someone's health or safety (occupational health and safety).
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.
PROCEDURES
- Complaints relating to harassment should be dealt with as most serious and may require the involvement of an independent mediator, or the police in the case of a criminal offence
- Internally, formal complaints should be received by the Chairman (unless the complaint directly concerns the Chairman)
- On receiving a complaint the Chairman will decide whether
- they are the most appropriate person to receive and handle the complaint;
- the nature and seriousness of the complaint warrants a formal resolution procedure;
- to appoint a person to investigate (gather more information on) the complaint;
- to refer the complaint to mediation;
- to refer the complaint to a hearings tribunal;
- to refer the matter to the police or other appropriate authority; and/or
- to implement any interim arrangements that will apply until the complaint process set out in these Procedures is completed.
- Regardless of the process adopted, it will be based on the principles of justice where:
- Both the complainant and the respondent must know the full details of what is being said against them and have the opportunity to respond
- Decision maker(s) must be unbiased, fair and just
- Penalties imposed must be fair.
Codes of Conduct
PURPOSE
To ensure that all players, members, spectators, officials and volunteers have a very clear understanding of the behavior that is expected from everyone and to make it clearly understood that breaches of these codes will result in disciplinary action.
COACHES are required to:
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion
- Support, encourage and involve all players regardless of their talent level
- Never ridicule or yell at players for errors or poor performance
- Always consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before performance and results
- Encourage participants to value their performances and not just results
- Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behavior both on and off the field
- Maintain respectful and appropriate relationships with all participants
- Ensure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of participants
- Promote the positive aspects of the sport (eg fair play)
- Always respect the official's decision and support them to carry out their role
- Display consistently high standards of good sporting behaviour and appearance
- Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the Club
- Hold appropriate valid qualifications before commencing to coach
- Never condone rule violations, unfair or unduly rough play or the use of prohibited substances
- Never smoke or drink alcohol whist in an official capacity
- Never use offensive language or behavior
- To act as a role model at all times.
PLAYERS are required to:
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion
- Play by the rules and respect the umpire's decisions
- Display good sporting behavior at all times
- Never use offensive language or behavior towards anyone or engage in sledging or bullying of any person
- Co-operate with your coach
- Adhere to club policies including smoke-free areas and liquor license requirements
- Never behave in a manner that would damage the reputation of the club either on or off the field
VOLUNTEERS, NON-PLAYING MEMBERS and SPECTATORS are required to:
- Act as good role models and ambassadors for the club at all times
- Always welcome opposition players, spectators, officials etc to the club
- Never use offensive language or behavior
- Treat all everyone including the opposition with respect regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion
- Display consistently high standards of good sporting behavior including respecting the official's decisions
- Adhere to the smoke-free policies of the club
- Not to consume alcohol in any place other than where the club's license allows
- Adhere to and support the Club policies
- Be trustworthy
Equal Opportunities Policy
PURPOSE
To eliminate discrimination or harassment in the Phillip Island Bowling Club based on personal characteristics including race, gender, marital/parental status, physical or intellectual impairment, same sex preference, age, or political associations or beliefs.
POLICY STATEMENT
Phillip Island Bowling Club supports equal opportunity as applied to membership, coaching, committee appointments and player selection and will make decisions based on a person's skills with disregard to personal characteristics including race, gender, marital/parental status, physical or intellectual impairment, same sex preference, age, or political affiliation or beliefs. The exception to this statement exist where a rule or bi-law has been established by the Club, Association or State Body that prohibits participation of an individual in a particular competition because of safety or maturation considerations.
All members of the Club are expected to treat all people with respect and not to discriminate directly or indirectly against people based on personal characteristics including those listed. Any person engaging in behaviour deemed as racially vilifying, homophobic, or discriminatory will encounter disciplinary action.
PROCEDURES
Grievance and complaints procedures defined in the Club Constitution and the Pennant Selection Policy
Allocation of Life Membership
This policy sets out the minimum eligibility criteria for nomination for an award of Life Membership of
the Phillip Island Bowling Club.
This award exists to recognise the exemplary contribution of individuals to Club. It is therefore only
awarded in exceptional circumstances.
Criteria
The nominee must be a current financial full member of the Club
The nominee must have minimum 10 years continuous membership
The nominees specific involvement in the Club to include any or all of the following:
- Involvement in the organisation of Club events
- Attendance at Club events
- Participation in sponsorship and fundraising activities
- Have undertaken a number of different Club roles and functions, Secretary, Committee
member, etc.
Nomination and assessment process
The nominated member must meet the requirements of the Club Policies and Procedures regarding Life Membership.
Nominations for Life Membership should be lodged with the Management Committee via the Secretary no later than the 1st of March. The nomination must be proposed and seconded by any financial full members of the club. The acceptance of a member nominated for Life Membership is the sole responsibility of the Management Committee. The Management Committee will advise at the next AGM, that the member has been appointed as a Life Member.
A person must accept or reject the Club's resolution to confer life membership in writing. Upon written acceptance, the person's details shall be entered upon the Register, and from the time of entry on the Register the person shall be a Life Member, but remain subject to this Constitution.
Unsuccessful nominator notified
Benefits
- The Life Members name displayed on the Honour Board
- The Life Members name will be displayed on the Club website
- The Life Members name will be added to the Club archives
- Annual Club subscription paid for life
Forfeiture
Forfeiture of Life Membership may occur;
- upon failure to observe any By-laws or Constitutional requirements
- for extreme reasons and not limited to, bringing the name of the Phillip Island Bowling Club into disrepute
This provision will only be exercised in exceptional circumstances and will require the full support of
the PIBC Board of Management to be enacted. As part of the deliberations, the Life Member
concerned will be given an opportunity to respond and present their case for retention of their Life Membership status.
Pennant Selection Policy and Guidelines
Pennant Goals
The selectors in consultation with the players shall set goals for each pennant team during the season. The major goal of the Phillip Island Bowling Club is to achieve excellence in lawn bowls and strive to be the most successful club in all divisions. The minimum goal of the Club is to maintain the current standing of pennant teams in their respective grades.
Pennant team goals to be attached as an appendix as required.
Selection Philosophy
The Club aims are to select the best possible teams to represent the Club in the Pennant competition and to achieve it's stated goals.
Selection Committees
Selectors are appointed by members at the Bowls Section Annual Meeting and remain in office until the next Bowls Section Annual Meeting
The Saturday and Midweek Pennant shall have separate Selection Committees however both shall act in accordance with the following guidelines.
Pennant Selection Committees shall be made up of the Chair of Selectors plus 2-4 selectors as appointed under the Club Constitution.
Role of the Chair
- Arrange meetings of the selectors and oversee the selection process to ensure that it is fair and free from bias and discrimination. The chair should question any selection decision not inline with the selection philosophy.
- In situations of late withdrawal of players after official teams have been announced the chair shall be responsible (through consultation with the appropriate selectors whenever possible) for rearranging sides in the best interests of the teams.
- Delegate a selector to provide an up to date list of eligible pennant bowlers.
- Arrange the posting of pennant teams on the Club pennant board and website.
- Delegate a selector to each division to be the first contact for players with selection concerns or issues
Role of the Selectors
- To select pennant teams based on the selection philosophy and criteria in an impartial and nondiscriminatory fashion.
- To attend club practice sessions and club events whenever possible to assess form of players.
- To assist the chair with any administrative duties relating to pennant sides.
Eligibility
Financial Full members of the Phillip Island Bowls Club who make themselves available for selection in the respective Pennant Competitions.
Selection Criteria
It is recognised that selection in bowls is subjective in nature nevertheless selectors shall apply the criteria to the best of their judgment.
- The following criteria will be considered in team selection:
- Player availability
- Player performance, ability, competitiveness and current form as demonstrated in training, pennant and club and association events.
- Player commitment to the pennant successes of the Phillip Island Bowling Club demonstrated by his/her willingness to practice and improve skills and through providing leadership and advice to other players.
- Team balance and compatibility recognising that a spread of particular skills are needed across all divisions.
- The need to develop demonstrated potential or to provide experience.
Factors which may effect a player's selection
- Player availability/ unavailability.
- A players commitment for the full season and his/her availability for selection in any division will be favorably regarded.
- Players who become unavailable for any reason will not automatically be selected in the same position or division upon their return.
- Players must advise of any unavailable dates (by posting on the pennant board) as soon as they are known. Players who make themselves unavailable at short notice (except for a good reason) will not be viewed favorably.
- Players who limit who they will or won't play with, or in what position (except for medical reasons) or division they must be selected in as a condition of their availability, adversely risk effecting their own selection outcome.
Selection Meetings and Posting Teams
Saturday Pennant
The Saturday Pennant Selectors shall meet on a Monday preceding Pennant competitions; teams to be posted no later than 7.30pm on the Saturday selection board and on the website the next day.
Midweek Pennant
The Midweek Pennant selectors shall meet on the Thursday preceding Pennant competition; teams shall be posted no later than 7.30pm on the Midweek Selection board and on the website the same day.
It is up to players to consult team sheets posted on the notice board at the Club or on the internet. Players are expected to accept the teams selected to represent the Club.
Grievance Procedure
It is important for all players to realise that they represent the Club when playing pennant. Open criticism of selectors is not permitted. Should any player feel that they have cause for grievance then they have the right of appeal.
NOTE: If a player is not prepared to formally complain to the selectors then the matter is not to be discussed amongst players.
Player Appeals
Any player will be welcome to discuss his/her selection with the relevant selection committee by seeking a mutually acceptable appointed time in advance.
NOTE: Raising disputes with individual selectors immediately before a match or at the bar or pennant board is not appropriate behavior. Players who do this run the risk of incurring disciplinary action.
The only grounds of appeal against a selection decision will be where an aggrieved player can provide evidence that the decision of the selectors is not in accordance with the stated selection criteria. Any appeal against Pennant selection must be directed to the Bowls Section President within 24 hours of becoming aware of the issue. The Bowls Section President will act as a mediator between the player and the selectors and attempt to negotiate a speedy resolution. Should the matter remain unresolved the player may request to take the appeal to the Board of Management. Any decision of the Board of Management will remain final.
Player Behavior
The Bowls Club Chairman and/or the Chair of Selectors shall have the right to recommend disciplinary action to the Committee should a player not uphold the behavior expected of a member of the Club while representing the Phillip Island Bowling Club and the Controlling Body.
It is important that individuals refrain from criticising others including selectors and team members.
Sundry
In lower divisions players may be asked to rotate availability in order to give all members the opportunity to play during the season.
Equal Opportunity
Saturday Pennant is "open"and players are to be selected on ability regardless of gender.
Midweek Pennant is "open" but with restrictions placed by Strzelecki that men shall be restricted in playing in certain positions.
Further Considerations
- Pennant Selections can cause problems with much unhappiness amongst players. To improve matters the following will be considered:
- Developing an interview sheet covering all aspects of each individual bowler.
- Interview each bowler using interview sheet to record brief history of pennant, preferred team and/or position, aspirations for the future and any other relevant matter.
- Develop a system of measuring performance each week.
