CODE OF ETHICS

SKATE CANADA MISSION STATEMENT

Skate Canada is an Association dedicated to the principles of enabling every Canadian to participate in skating throughout their lifetime for fun, fitness and/or achievement.

 INTRODUCTION

This mission can only be accomplished successfully if all stakeholders involved in the sport of skating (including skaters and parents, coaches, officials and club directors) share a common vision and understanding of their role to create and maintain a positive learning environment. However, it is the actions of each stake holder that ultimately contribute to or undermine the existence of a positive skating environment.

The onus of establishing and maintaining appropriate ethical behaviour in the pursuit of this worthwhile objective falls on and must be accepted by the leaders in our sport. At the club or sanctioned skating school level, these people are: coaches, club directors and officials.

 ETHICAL CONDUCT

To understand the fundamental principles of ethical conduct, it is useful to review the definition of the word "ethical":

• relating to morals or moral principles;
• philosophy which governs human character and conduct 
• i.e.- the distinction between right and wrong and/or moral duty and obligations to the community;
• originating from the Greek word "theos", meaning character

ETHICAL CONDUCT STANDARDS FOR THE CLUB

Obligations to the Skater and Parent

• To provide up-to-date quality Skate Canada programs to all members.
• To provide the skater and parent(s)with the basic information necessary to enable them to choose a realistic and affordable course of action to achieve their goals and objectives.
• To outline dearly all club programs including cost and method of payment.
• To outline clearly all club policies including parent responsibilities, safety issues, carnival fees, test days, ice qualifications, etc.
• To ensure that sufficient, qualified coaches are available to teach all programs within the club, including private instruction.
• To maintain the skater's best interests at heart when making decisions.
• To ensure that the best interests of all skaters in the club are taken into account in club decision-making.
• To communicate as regularly and effectively as possible with skaters and parents as to club activities, changes in Skate Canada rules and regulations, Club regulations and policies and other important or relevant information affecting the skater's participation in the sport.
• To help ensure that a positive learning environment is maintained in the club.
• To respect all members' racial and religious practices,
• To inform all members regarding the Club's constitution and by-laws and requirements for the Annual General Meeting

Obligations to the Sport

• To maintain a current working knowledge of ISU, Skate Canada and Section rules, policies, regulations and programs so as to be able to deliver the product of skating in an organized and professional manner.
• To exhibit the important character traits of honesty, reliability/dependability and cooperation when dealing with all participants in the sport.
• To share responsibility with the Skate Canada Board, the Section, Skate Canada Officials (judges, evaluators, referees, accountants) and coaches to initiate and support actions that are required to meet the needs of the skaters and skating in general.
• To promote Skate Canada and its' programs and the sport of skating in general.

VIOLATION OF CLUB/COACH ETHICS

All violations are to be dealt with in the following manner:

• Upon concern of either party, the Section Coaching Representative and a Section representative as determined by the Section Chairperson shall be notified in writing. Notification shall be provided to Skate Canada.
• The matter will then be referred to the Section Conflict Resolution Committee.
• The committee shall consist of at least three persons: the Section Coaching Representative or designate; the Section Chairperson or designate; the Area or Regional Representative or designate; plus any other persons appointed by the Section.
• The Conflict Resolution Committee will review the matter and if necessary, meet with the Club and coach involved.
• The Conflict Resolution Committee shall attempt to resolve the concern. The Committee shall then provide recommendation to the Section Board and its decision is final and absolute.
• A fee may be charged by the Section to the Club and Coach.

CLUB/COACH COMMUNICATION

• To improve interaction between clubs and coaches.
• To develop and enforce a Code of Ethics for Clubs
• Note: Coach Code of Ethics does not recognize the duty of the club.
• To enforce Coach Code of Ethics.
• To increase National and Sectional support to clubs and coaches.
• To establish a means of conflict resolution.

Updated: March 2004