SCA Code of Conduct
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:37 pm
The SCA has just published a new code of conduct which can be found online at http://www.canoescotland.org/Portals/0/ ... 202014.pdf
While most of it is absolutely fine and makes good sense there are two clauses that I find challenging:
Respect the opinions and decisions of those in a position of leadership and/or responsibility.
Obviously those due respect are entitled to that however leadership should not of itself confer a right not to be challenged when others feel that actions taken are wrong. Does anyone really in this day and age believe that leadership should confer immunity from challenge?
Shall not publish or cause to be published any criticism of the decision-making of the SCA or any SCA appointed body to deal with any dispute or disciplinary matter.
This does not provide clarity as it could clearly and perhaps will be interpreted as precluding any criticism whatsoever of the SCA. Surely as a company that takes responsibility for the governance of paddle sports in Scotland and which all competing athletes resident in Scotland MUST be members of, with no alternative, it should be welcoming healthy and constructive debate and interest in driving sport forward.
I would note that as far as I understand it the policy has been distributed and agreed by the Board of Directors of the SCA but has not been the subject of consultation and discussion with the broader membership.
Maybe this posting of itself contravenes the Policy however I do think that this is something that all should be aware of and consider and that highlighting it may help better shape other approaches to code of conduct across the wider slalom community.
There are other bits that seem somewhat nonsensical e.g. imposing financial penalties on members that are not employees, referring to confidential information and the ability of the SCA to authorise disclosure when it does not specify that this should be information that is confidential to the SCA and not others.
While most of it is absolutely fine and makes good sense there are two clauses that I find challenging:
Respect the opinions and decisions of those in a position of leadership and/or responsibility.
Obviously those due respect are entitled to that however leadership should not of itself confer a right not to be challenged when others feel that actions taken are wrong. Does anyone really in this day and age believe that leadership should confer immunity from challenge?
Shall not publish or cause to be published any criticism of the decision-making of the SCA or any SCA appointed body to deal with any dispute or disciplinary matter.
This does not provide clarity as it could clearly and perhaps will be interpreted as precluding any criticism whatsoever of the SCA. Surely as a company that takes responsibility for the governance of paddle sports in Scotland and which all competing athletes resident in Scotland MUST be members of, with no alternative, it should be welcoming healthy and constructive debate and interest in driving sport forward.
I would note that as far as I understand it the policy has been distributed and agreed by the Board of Directors of the SCA but has not been the subject of consultation and discussion with the broader membership.
Maybe this posting of itself contravenes the Policy however I do think that this is something that all should be aware of and consider and that highlighting it may help better shape other approaches to code of conduct across the wider slalom community.
There are other bits that seem somewhat nonsensical e.g. imposing financial penalties on members that are not employees, referring to confidential information and the ability of the SCA to authorise disclosure when it does not specify that this should be information that is confidential to the SCA and not others.