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Simcoe County Mountain Bike Club (SCMBC) Code of Conduct and Ethics

Purpose

The purpose of this Code of Conduct and Ethics is to ensure a safe and positive environment within the SCMBC Club’s meetings, programs, activities and events, by making all members and guests aware that  there is an expectation of appropriate behavior, consistent with the values of the SCMBC Club, at all times.

The SCMBC Club is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with
respect. Further, the SCMBC Club prohibits discriminatory practices. Members and guests of the SCMBC Club are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the values of the SCMBC Club that includes fairness, integrity, open communication and mutual respect.

Conduct that violates this Code of Conduct and Ethics may be subject to sanctions pursuant to the SCMBC Club’s policies related to discipline and complaints as outlined in the bylaws.

Application of this Policy.

The policy applies to the conduct of SCMBC Club Members and guests that may arise during the course of SCMBC business, activities and events, formal or informal including but not limited to, workshops, activities, events, Social outings, and meetings, as well as any SCMBC affiliated social media groups and communities.

Responsibilities

All Members and guests of the SCMBC Club have a responsibility to:

A) Maintain the dignity and self‐esteem of any individual within the Application of this Policy by:

‐ Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability or economic status;
‐ Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of other members or organizers of events and activities.
‐ Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably;

B) Refrain from any behavior that constitutes harassment, where harassment is defined as comment or conduct directed towards an individual or group, which is offensive, abusive, racist, degrading, malicious or sexist. Types of behaviors that constitute harassment (excluding sexual which is covered in (C) below) include, but are not limited to:

‐ Written or verbal abuse, threats, outbursts or inflammatory remarks;
‐ Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendos or taunts;
‐ Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures;
‐ Practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment;
‐ Any form of hazing;
‐ Unwanted physical contact or assault;
‐ Behaviors such as those described above that are not directed towards individuals or groups but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment; or ‐ Retaliation or threats of retaliation against an individual who reports harassment.

C) Refrain from any behavior 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 behavior 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;
‐ Sexual assault.

D) Respect the privilege of the use of public or private facilities that may be used for club events or activities, and not willfully cause damage to those facilities, or to the property of another member of the club.

E) Never engage in malicious or deliberately inaccurate criticism of the reputation or work of another member.

F) Never engage in activities, behavior or conduct that jeopardizes the health and safety of any individual or members of the SCMBC club.

G) Avoid behavior that brings the SCMBC club into disrepute, including but not limited to abusive use of alcohol or non‐medical use of drugs.

H) Comply at all times with the Bylaws, policies, and rules and regulations of the SCMBC club, as adopted and amended from time to time.

I) Prevent unwanted interruptions in formal presentations from personal electronic devices including but not limited to cellular phones.

J) Adhere to all Federal and Provincial laws as well as Municipal bylaws.

K) Report any violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethics in writing to the SCMBC Club Executive board.

1. This is a binding legal agreement. As a member Simcoe County Mountain Bike Club (hereinafter called SCMBC), the Member and/or the Parent/Guardian of the Member (hereinafter called the Parties), acknowledge and agree to the following terms in relation to use for the Activity of Mountain Biking on SCMBC Trails:

Description of Risks

2. The Member is participating voluntarily in the Activity. In consideration of the Member’s participation in the Activity, the Member hereby acknowledges that they are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with or related to the Activity, and may be exposed to such risks, dangers and hazards. The risks, dangers and hazards include, but are not limited to, injuries from:overusing, exerting and stretching various muscle groups and strenuous cardiovascular workouts; vigorous physical exertion, rapid movements and quick turns and stops; falling to the ground due to slips, trips or uneven, slippery or irregular terrain or surfaces; contact, colliding or being struck by mountain bikes, equipment, trees, other individuals or other fixed objects; failing to participate within one’s abilities, skill and within designated areas; becoming lost or separated from the group or the group becoming split up; failure to properly use any piece of equipment or from the mechanical failure of any piece of equipment; extreme weather conditions which may result in heatstroke, sunstroke or lightning strikes encounters with animals or plants including allergic reactions; other risks normally associated with participation in the Activity.
3. Furthermore, the Parties are aware:
that injuries sustained may be severe, paralyzing or fatal; that the risk of injury increases as the Member becomes fatigued.

Disclaimer

4. In consideration of SCMBC accepting the Members application for membership in the Club, the Parties agree SCMBC, and its respective directors, officers, committee members, members, volunteers, participants, agents, private landowners and representatives are not responsible for any injury, personal injury, damage, property damage, expense, loss of income or loss of any kind suffered by the Member during, or as a result of, any of the Activity, caused by the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the Activity on SCMBC trails.

Acknowledgement

5. The Parties confirm that:
they have been provided sufficient information about Activity and the associated risks and hazards so that they are aware of the effect of this agreement; the Participant agrees to abide by the Rules and Regulations imposed by SCMBC in association with the Activities, and to follow the rules of use on SCMBC trails; and that the participant agrees that they will not escort non-members onto private land that SCMBC trails connect through; and they and all intended members have read this agreement understand it, have executed this agreement voluntarily, and that this agreement is to be binding upon the Parties, their heirs, executors, administrators and representatives.