BULLYING POLICY

Bullying is extremely harmful and having severe, long-term consequences for many young people.  Bullying has a negative impact on victims’ self-esteem, leading to a decrease in general well being, the liability to learn and thrive, as well as competitiveness.  This impact can be long lasting, even after the victim is no longer subject to bullying.  We can all agree that bullying affects healthy relationships, can impact the culture of the North Surrey Skating Club and is unwanted.

This Policy seeks to clarify the North Surrey Skating Club position on bullying and sets out the consequences of engaging in this prohibited behaviour.  All skaters, parents, guardians and coaches are expected to be familiar with this Policy and to comply with its requirements.  Any questions regarding this Policy should be directed to the Board of Directors of the North Surrey Skating Club.

Within the North Surrey Skating Club, bullying is typically defined as any form of repetitive, persistent, aggressive behaviour directed at one or more individual(s) and is intended to cause, or should be known to cause, fear, distress, and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem, or reputation.  Bullying can take the form of but is not limited to, physical violence (e.g. hitting or pushing), verbal abuse (e.g. name-calling, mockery, or making sexist or racist comments), spreading of rumours, maliciously excluding a person(s) from a group, as well as teasing, threatening, or humiliating a person(s).  It can also occur through the use of technology, such as email, instant messaging, and social media.

Bullying will not be tolerated by any person, including adults, parents, coaches and skaters, in any form within the North Surrey Skating Club.  This includes on the ice, in the change rooms, in the rink lobby, in the boardrooms, and at all club activities and competitions.  Bullying will also not be tolerated in other circumstances (e.g. online or outside the rink) where there is a negative and visible impact on the person at the North Surrey Skating Club.

Any person subject to this policy and who is subjected to bullying should inform their parent(s)/guardian(s) and coach(es) and/or an Executive Director immediately.  A letter of complaint should also be sent to the President of the North Surrey Skating Club.  Any person observing an incident of bullying should report the matter to the President of the North Surrey Skating Club or any Board member.

Any North Surrey Skating Club coach who witnesses a skater appearing to bully any other person at the North Surrey Skating Club is empowered to remove the skater from their session immediately and must report the incident to the Board of Directors for subsequent investigation and action.  Upon receiving a report of alleged bullying, the North Surrey Skating Club will undertake an investigation appropriate in the circumstances.

Any person subject to this policy found to have bullied any other person at the North Surrey Skating Club may be asked to seek counselling or be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including having their North Surrey Skating Club membership permanently revoked.  The following counselling or disciplinary actions will be administered by the Board of Directors.  Please note: At the Board’s discretion, serious offences can be met with an immediate escalation of disciplinary actions, including the immediate revocation of membership.

Counselling – depending on the seriousness of the incident(s), they may be asked to seek professional counselling.  The person will be reminded of appropriate conduct including a review of this Policy and will be cautioned that further incidents will be subject to disciplinary action.

First disciplinary response – any person in violation of this Policy will be barred from entering the arena and practice area for a period which the Board will decide is appropriate.  Skaters in violation of this Policy will be barred from attending their regular scheduled skating programs and any Club events for a period of one (1) week.  No refund or credit will be issued for this lost ice time.  The person will also be required to meet their coach(es) and/or Board of Directors (as applicable), at which point this Policy will be reviewed, and a caution will be given that any future incidents will result in further disciplinary action.

Second disciplinary response – any person in violation of this Policy will be subject to further discipline at the discretion of the Board of Directors, by recommendation of the President, including the immediate and permanent revocation of their North Surrey Skating Club membership.  Please note that any revocation of membership will be subject to approval from the North Surrey Skating Club Board of Directors.  In the event that membership is not revoked, the disciplinary actions will not be any less severe than those for the second offence.  No refund or credit will be issued for any lost time.

 Bullying and harassment is not acceptable or tolerated at the North Surrey Skating Club (NSSC). All will be treated in a fair and respectful manner.

Examples of conduct or comments that might constitute bullying and harassment include verbal aggression or insults, calling someone derogatory names, harmful hazing or initiation practices, vandalizing personal belongings, and spreading malicious rumors.

As with all North Surrey Skating Club Policies, all skaters, parents/guardians, coaches and Directors will be governed by this Policy.

Approved on: December 4, 2023

Annual review 

This policy  will be reviewed every three years.