Terms

Australian Sailing

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Denmark Sailing Club

Member Code of Conduct

Purpose

This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all members, volunteers, sailors, officials, parents and guardians, guests, visitors, and anyone taking part in the activities of Denmark Sailing Club. It exists to help the Club remain safe, welcoming, fair, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.

2. Our Values

Respect: We treat each other, visitors, neighbours, officials, and competitors with courtesy and consideration.
Safety: We put safety first on the water, on shore, and around club facilities and equipment.
Inclusion: We welcome people of all backgrounds, abilities, ages, and experience levels.
Responsibility: We take responsibility for our own conduct, our guests, and the shared spaces and equipment we use.
Volunteer spirit: We recognise that the Club relies on unpaid effort and we support those who give their time.

3. Expected Behaviour

Members are expected to:

Act honestly, fairly, and respectfully in all club dealings.
Follow the Club’s constitution, rules, policies, sailing instructions, safety procedures, and lawful directions from authorised club officers or event officials.
Use respectful language and avoid behaviour that may intimidate, humiliate, exclude, or offend others.
Be considerate of members with different levels of sailing experience and confidence.
Take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others.
Respect club property, private property, boats, trailers, storage areas, and neighbouring premises.
Help keep the Rivermouth, launch areas, and shared facilities clean, tidy, secure, and ready for others to use.
Raise concerns constructively and avoid gossip, personal attacks, or conduct that damages trust within the Club.

4. Safety on the Water and Around the Club

Members must sail, race, train, launch, retrieve, and work around boats in a safe and responsible manner.
Members must comply with relevant safety requirements, including personal flotation device requirements, equipment checks, weather decisions, rescue boat directions, and race officer instructions.
No member should pressure another person to sail or continue sailing when they feel unsafe or when conditions are unsuitable for their ability or equipment.
Hazards, damage, incidents, injuries, near misses, or unsafe behaviour should be reported promptly to a committee member, duty officer, race officer, coach, or other appropriate club representative.

5. Volunteers and Club Duties

The Club depends on volunteers. Members are expected to support club activities where they can, treat volunteers with patience and respect, turn up for rostered duties, give reasonable notice if they cannot attend, and avoid placing unnecessary demands on people giving their time for the benefit of the Club.

6. Guests, Visitors, and New Members

Members are responsible for the conduct of their guests while they are at the Club or taking part in club activities. Guests and visitors should be welcomed, introduced to relevant safety and facility requirements, and treated with courtesy. New members should be supported to understand club routines, expectations, sailing arrangements, and volunteer opportunities.

7. Children and Young People

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people must be prioritised at all times.
Adults must act as positive role models and must not engage in behaviour that could reasonably be seen as bullying, grooming, harassment, intimidation, or inappropriate favouritism.
Where possible, activities involving children and young people should be observable, transparent, and consistent with the Club’s child safety or member protection policies.
Concerns about the welfare of a child or young person must be reported promptly to the Club’s designated officer or committee, and to external authorities where required by law.

8. Unacceptable Behaviour

The following behaviour is not acceptable at the Club, on the water, at events, while volunteering, or in club-related communications:

Bullying, harassment, abuse, intimidation, threats, discrimination, or victimisation.
Offensive, aggressive, or insulting language or behaviour.
Unsafe sailing, reckless boat handling, or deliberate disregard of safety directions.
Misuse, damage, theft, or unauthorised use of club property or another person’s property.
Excessive alcohol consumption, intoxication, or substance misuse that affects safety, behaviour, or the Club’s reputation.
Social media posts, messages, photographs, or comments that are abusive, discriminatory, misleading, confidential, or likely to bring the Club into disrepute.
Retaliation against any person who raises a concern or participates in a complaint process in good faith.

9. Raising Concerns and Complaints

Members are encouraged to raise minor concerns early, respectfully, and directly where it is safe and appropriate to do so. More serious concerns, repeated issues, safety matters, or complaints involving children or vulnerable people should be reported to a committee member, commodore, secretary, safety officer, child safety officer, or another person nominated by the Club.

The Club will aim to handle concerns fairly, promptly, confidentially where possible, and without victimisation. Any person responding to a complaint should avoid conflicts of interest and give affected people a reasonable opportunity to be heard.

10. Breaches of this Code

Breaches of this Code may be managed in accordance with the Club’s constitution, rules, disciplinary procedures, member protection policy, or any other relevant policy. Outcomes may include an informal conversation, warning, apology, mediation, training, removal from an activity, suspension of privileges, referral to an external authority, or other action available to the Club.

11. Acknowledgement

By joining, renewing membership, volunteering, using club facilities, or participating in club activities, members are expected to understand and follow this Code of Conduct and to help maintain the Club as a safe, enjoyable, and respectful place for sailing and community participation.