Collins Bay and District Horticultural Society
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Collins Bay and District Horticultural Society is a volunteer organization which is committed to supporting an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
All members of the Collins Bay and District Horticultural Society shall conduct themselves in a manner that:
- Supports the objectives of and serves the overall best interests of Collins Bay and District Horticultural Society.
- Respects all individuals’ cultural and linguistic diversity and life circumstances.
- Respects and gives fair consideration to diverse and opposing viewpoints.
- Cannot be perceived as, or actually engage in, harassment or abuse as defined below:
A. Harassment:
Harassment consists of offensive, abusive, belittling or threatening behaviour directed at a person or people, because of a particular characteristic of that person or people, The behaviour must be the sort of behaviour a reasonable person would recognize as unwelcome and likely to cause the person to feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated.
- Sexual Harassment:
Sexual harassment consists of an unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours, or conduct of a sexual nature, in circumstances in which a reasonable person would have anticipated that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated. ‘Conduct of a sexual nature’ includes making a statement of a sexual nature to a person, or in the presence of a person.
Behaviour constituting harassment can take many different forms and may be explicit or implicit, physical, verbal, or non-verbal.
Abuse can be defined as, but not limited to any act of threat involving molestation, harassment, corporal punishment or any form of physical, sexual or mental abuse; the misuse of power or authority; treatment of an individual or persons in a harmful, injurious, and or offensive manner; speaking insultingly, harshly and /or unjustly to or about another person(s); or committing an act of sexual assault.
Complaints Procedure for Code of Conduct
If a member is alleged to be in breach of the Code of Conduct, a complaint can be made against them either by the person directly affected or by anyone who witnesses the breach.
Complaint Guidelines:
- Complaint should be dealt with promptly and resolved as quickly as possible
- Complaint should be reviewed in a confidential, fair, impartial manner, being respectful to all parties.
- Clear reasons and final decisions should be shared with the person filing the complaint and the person to whom the breach is alleged.
Complaint Process:
1. The complainant is encouraged to speak to the alleged offender (if they feel safe to do so) and try to resolve the issue themselves.
2. If an informal resolution cannot be reached, then a formal written complaint should be made to the Society President. This complaint should contain the following details:
- What happened – a description of events or situation, and effect it had on the complainant.
- When it happened – date and time of the event or incident
- Where it happened
- Who saw it happen – the names of any witnesses, if they are agreeable.
3. The President or their designee will act as mediator and will work with all parties to attempt to reach an appropriate resolution. This action may require the involvement of up to two executive members, as needed.
4. If a resolution cannot be reached, the matter will be referred to OHA District 3 Director/Code of Conduct Committee.
5. The OHA Code of Conduct Committee would be the next and final step.
* Should the President be the person alleged to be in breach, the complaint should go to the Vice President or Immediate Past President.
Approved by the members on Date:
