(Updated 2018)

For ALL club members: - Adults and Children
All Members MUST comply with this Code of Conduct:

YOU SHOULD:

  • Play your part in helping to develop an ethos where all people matter and are treated equally and with respect and dignity.
  • Adhere to the rules, policies and procedures of our affiliated bodies ie Scottish Archery Association, Archery GB and FITA. It is the responsibility of all Club members to keep themselves up to date with changes to policies & procedures through methods available eg SAA / Archery GB websites.
  • Treat all club members with respect, and in the event of any disagreement seek to resolve this informally, or if this is not possible by involving the committee.
  • Always adhere to the safety regulations as stated in the Archery GB Rules of Shooting & FITA Rule book, thereby ensuring the safety of all club members and spectators.
  • Involve club members in the club thereby promoting a culture of good teamwork within the club.
  • Always listen sympathetically to ideas from club members as they may benefit the effective running and camaraderie of the club.
  • Always follow a policy of inclusion when accepting members into the club – and wherever possible make necessary adaptations (without breaching safety rules) to enable those with physical or mental disabilities to participate in our sport.
  • Always pay club and affiliation fees on time.


Specifically for Children: (under 18yrs)

YOU SHOULD:

  • Always put the care, welfare and safety needs of the child first.
  • Listen attentively to any ideas and views a child wants to share with you.
  • Respect a child’s culture (eg faith and religious beliefs)
  • Respect a child’s right to privacy and personal space.
  • Respond sensitively to children who seem anxious about participating in certain activities.
  • Speak to a member of the club committee/Child Protection Officer (CPO) if you suspect that a child is experiencing bullying or harassment.
  • Be aware of the vulnerability of some groups of children to being isolated and hurt (eg children with disabilities, learning difficulties, children from Gypsy & traveller communities, Black & Minority Ethnic children)
  • Ensure that when you are working with children you are at least within sight or hearing of other adults.
  • Listen carefully to any child who ‘tells you’ (sometimes through drawings and behaviour as well as words) that they are being harmed and report what you have discovered immediately to the CPO.
  • Report immediately any suspicion that a child could be at risk of harm or abuse.
  • Never dismiss what a child tells you as ‘lies’ or exaggeration.
  • Only restrain a child who is at imminent risk of inflicting harm to themselves or others or is at risk of damaging property.
  • Never underestimate the contribution that you can make to the development of safe communities for children.
  • Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, even if you mean well.

YOU SHOULD NOT:

  • Exaggerate or trivialise another member’s concerns about a child or ignore an allegation or suspicion of abuse in the hope that it will either ‘go away’ or that ‘someone else will deal with it’.
  • Discuss personal issues about a child or their family with other people except with your CPO/Club committee when you are concerned about the child’s well being.
  • Be drawn into any derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children or young persons.
  • Allow a child, young person or adult to be bullied or harmed by anyone in the organisation.
  • Allow children to swear or use sexualised language unchallenged.
  • Be drawn into inappropriate attention-seeking behaviour eg tantrums and crushes.
  • Rely on just your good name to protect you.

YOU MUST NEVER:

  • Engage in any discreditable conduct towards any member.  This includes but is not limited to bullying, violent, indecent or intimidating behaviour.
  • Engage in sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
  • Allow others to or yourself engage in touching a child in a sexually provocative manner.
  • Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun.
  • Engage in rough or physical contact unless it is permitted within the rules of a game or sports activity or conforms to the guidance on appropriate physical contact.
  • Never form inappropriate emotional or physical relationships with children.
  • Harass or intimidate a child or adult because of their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, socio-economic class or disability.
  • Invite or allow children to stay with you at your home.
  • Use inappropriate language when writing, phoning, texting, emailing or using the internet.

You must refer any concern about the welfare of a child or club member to the Club Secretary or Club Child Protection Officer.