TEAM CANADA CODE OF CONDUCT

Everyone must abide by the Code of Conduct to participate.  During the tryout process, choreography, rehearsals, travel, and competition, all dancers, parents/guardians, coaches, and staff are expected to adhere to the Team Canada Dance and IDO Dance Codes of Conduct.  Any behaviour contrary to the codes will result in immediate expulsion or reprimand.

PURPOSE

1. Affiliation with Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada brings many privileges and benefits.  At the same time, individuals are expected to meet certain obligations including complying with all Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada policies and this Code of Conduct.  Irresponsible behaviour by Individuals can result in severe damage to the integrity of the Team Canada Dance organization, IDO Dance Canada, and the International Dance Organization - as well as the dancer's home studio/trainers.
2. Individuals must be aware that they are expected to model behaviour appropriate for the individual's role as a representative of Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada, whether dancer, supporter, choreographer, staff, etc.  This document outlines the conduct expected of individuals and the Disciplinary Procedures that individuals are subject to if there is a complaint about an individual's conduct.

DANCER & SUPPORTER RESPONSIBILITIES

The following includes but is not limited to, actions in person or online (such as social media).  All individuals, including but not limited to dancers, parents, and other supporters who attend Team Canada, IDO Canada, IDO, and related competitions on behalf of dancers on the team, have the following responsibilities:

1. Dignity:  Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of dancers and other individuals by
   1. Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, age, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sex, and sexual orientation
   2. Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of dancers, choreographers/coaches, officials, organizers, volunteers, employees, or members
   3. Consistently demonstrating a spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct
   4. Acting, when appropriate, to correct or prevent unjustly discriminatory practices
   5. Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
   6. Ensuring adherence to the rules of the sport and the spirit of those rules
2. Harassment:  Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes harassment, where harassment is defined as comment or conduct directed towards an individual or group, which is offensive, abusive, racist, sexist, degrading, or malicious.  Types of behaviour that constitutes harassment include, not are not limited to:
   1. Written or verbal abuse, threats, or outbursts
   2. The display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive in the circumstances
   3. Unwelcomed remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo, or taunts
   4. Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures
   5. Condescending or patronizing behaviour that is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance, or adversely affect working conditions
   6. Practical jokes that cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person's safety or negatively affect performance
   7. Any form of hazing where hazing is defined as "Any potentially humiliating, degrading, abusive, or dangerous activity expected of a new dancer by a returning teammate, which does not contribute to either dancer's positive development, but is required to be accepted as part of a team, regardless of the new dancer's willingness to participate.  This includes, but is not limited to, any activity, no matter how traditional or seemingly benign, that sets apart or alienates any teammate based on class, number of years on the team, or dancer's ability."
   8. Unwanted physical contact including, but not limited to, touching, petting, pinching, or kissing
   9. Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests, or invitations
   10. Physical or sexual assault
   11. Behaviours such as those described above that are not directed towards a specific individual or group but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment
   12. Retaliation or threats of retaliation against an individual who reports harassment 
3. Sexual Harassment: Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment, where sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or conduct of a sexual nature.  Types of behaviour that constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
   1. Sexist jokes
   2. Display of sexually offensive material
   3. Sexually degrading words used to describe a person
   4. Inquiries or comments about a person's sex life
   5. Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions
   6. Persistent unwanted contact
4. Doping and Drug Use:  Abstain from the non-medical use of drugs or the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods.  More specifically, Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada adopts and adheres to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program and the IDO Anti-Doping Policies.  Any infraction under these programs will be considered an infraction of this Code and may be subject to further disciplinary action, and possible sanction.  Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada will respect any penalty enacted under a breach of Anti-Doping policies by any other dance and dance-sport organizations.  Refrain from associating with any person for choreography, coaching, training, competition, instruction, administration, management, dance development, or supervision who has incurred an anti-doping rule violation and is serving a sanction involving a period of ineligibility imposed.
5. Inappropriate Behaviour:  
   1. Refrain from the use of power or authority to coerce another person to engage in inappropriate activities
   2. Take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcohol in adult-oriented social situations at sanctioned events.  
   3. Zero-tolerance policy for alcohol consumption of dancers despite the age of majority during all Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada and IDO events, until the completion of the event.  This means that during a World Championship week, dancers are to abstain from alcohol until the event has concluded.
   4. Respect the property of others and not wilfully cause damage
   5. Adhere to all federal, provincial, municipal, and host country laws
6. Dancer Safety:
   1. Ensure a safe environment by selecting activities and establishing controls that are suitable for the age, experience, ability, and fitness level of the involved dancers
   2. Prepare dancers systematically and progressively, using appropriate time frames and monitoring physical and psychological adjustments while refraining from using training methods or techniques that may harm dancers
   3. Avoid compromising the present and future health of dancers by communicating and cooperating with sports medicine professionals in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of dancers' medical and psychological treatments
7. Dancer Development:
   1. Support the choreographer/coaching staff of a training camp, provincial team, and/or national team; should a dancer qualify for participation or has previously participated
   2. Provide dancers (and the parents/guardians of minor dancers) with the information necessary to be involved in the decisions that affect the dancer
   3. Act in the best interest of the dancer's development as a whole person
   4. Respect choreographers/coaches/staff
   5. Respect dancers of other teams and, in dealing with them, not encroach upon topics or actions which are deemed to be within the realm of 'coaching', unless after first receiving approval from the choreographers/coaches/staff who are responsible for the dancers
8. Dancer Protection:
   1. Self-report any ongoing criminal investigation, conviction, or existing bail conditions, including those for violence, child pornography, or possession, use, or sale of any illegal substance
   2. Under no circumstances provide, promote, or condone the use of drugs (other than properly prescribed medications) or performance-enhancing substances and, in the case of minors, alcohol and/or tobacco.
   3. Not engage in a sexual relationship with a dancer under 18 years old or an intimate or sexual relationship with a dancer over the age of 18 if the individual is in a position of power, trust, or authority over the athlete
   4. Recognize the power inherent in the position of choreographer/coach and respect and promote the rights of all participants in dance and dance-sport. This is accomplished by establishing and following procedures for confidentiality (right to privacy), informed participation, and fair and reasonable treatment.  Choreographers/Coaches have a special responsibility to respect and promote the rights of participants who are in a vulnerable or dependent position and less able to protect their own rights.
9. Disciplinary Procedure:
   1. Disciplinary Procedures apply to all individuals' conduct during all Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada/IDO-related business, coaching activities, and events including, but not limited to, competitions, practices, tryouts, training camps, and travel associated with the teams.
   2. This Procedure does not prevent discipline from being applied, during a competition or event, according to specific procedures in place for the particular event
   3. All individuals may also be subject to the disciplinary rules and processes of other organizations.  Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada will respect decisions made by those bodies
10. Reporting a Complaint:  Anyone wishing to file a complaint must provide a written statement giving reasons to the Director Bonnie@cdo-online.org.  Anonymous complaints may be accepted at the sole discretion of the Director.
11. Mediation:  Before any complaint proceeds to the formal stage, the matter will first be reviewed by the Director, to resolve the dispute informally or with the assistance of another staff member.  In cases involving choreographers/coaches, the Director may seek their assistance to resolve the dispute.  Complaints or disputes that are resolved informally or by any means of mediation may not be appealed or subsequently re-submitted as a complaint under these Disciplinary Procedures.
12. Complaint Administration:  The Director has an overall responsibility to ensure procedural fairness is respected at all times, and to implement this Policy promptly.  More specifically, the Case Manager has a responsibility to:
    1. Determine whether a complaint is frivolous or vexatious, and within the jurisdiction of this Procedure.  If the Director determines the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or outside the jurisdiction of this Procedure, the complaint may not be appealed.
    2. Identify the Parties to the complaint, which may include the complainant
    3. Provide any other service or support that may be necessary to ensure a fair and timely proceeding
13. Jurisdiction:
    1. This Procedure does not prevent an appropriate person having the authority from taking immediate, informal, or corrective action in response to behaviour that constitutes an infraction.  Further sanctions may be applied per the procedures set out in the Procedure.
    2. This Procedure does not take precedence over any dispute resolution procedure contained within a contract, employee agreement, or other formal written agreement
    3. Any infractions or complaints occurring within the competition will be dealt with by the procedures specific to the competition, if applicable.  In such situations, disciplinary sanctions will be for the duration of the competition, training, activity, or event only.  Further sanctions may be applied but only after review of the matter per the procedures set out in this document.
14. Infractions: Infractions consist of single or multiple incidents of failing to achieve expected standards of conduct that may result in harm to others, to individuals, Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada, IDO, or the public.  Examples of infractions include but are not limited to, incidents of:
    1. Disrespectful, offensive, abusive, racist, or sexist comments or behaviour
    2. Disrespectful conduct such as outbursts of anger or argument
    3. Non-compliance with, or disregard for, Team Canada Dance/IDO policies, procedures, rules, or regulations
    4. Violations of the Code of Conduct
    5. Tampering
    6. Any incident involving hazing
    7. Physical abuse
    8. Behaviour that constitutes harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct
    9. Pranks, jokes, or other activities that endanger the safety of others
    10. Conduct that intentionally interferes with a competition or with any dancer's preparation for a competition
    11. Conduct that intentionally damages the image, credibility, or reputation of Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada/IDO
    12. Provision of alcohol to minors, or use or possession of illicit drugs and narcotics
    13. Any possession or use of banned performance-enhancing drugs or methods, or condoning such use by others.
15. Suspension:  The Director or appointed manager may determine that an alleged incident is of such seriousness as to warrant immediate withdrawal of the individual from an activity or event.  This includes withdrawing a dancer from an activity or the remainder of a competition, or removal of a parent/supporter from an event or competition.
16. Sanctions:  The Director and/or team may apply the following disciplinary sanctions, singularly or in combination:
    1. Verbal or written reprimand
    2. Verbal or written apology
    3. Removal of certain privileges for a designated period
    4. Suspension from certain competitions, activities, or events
    5. Suspension or expulsion from Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada and related teams
    6. Fines
    7. Payment of the cost of repairs for property damage
    8. Any other sanction considered appropriate for the offense
17. Criminal Convictions:  Any individual's conviction for any of the following Criminal Code offenses will be deemed an infraction and will result in expulsion from any Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada-related events:
    1. Any child pornography offenses
    2. Any sexual offenses
    3. Any offense of physical or psychological violence
    4. Any offence of assault
    5. Any offense involving the trafficking of illegal drugs
18. Confidentiality: The complaints and discipline process is confidential and involves only those involved the Director, and any managers assisting the process.  Once initiated and until a decision is released, none of the individuals involved will disclose confidential information relating to the discipline or complaint to any person not involved.
19. Record and Distribution of Decisions:  
    1. Infractions that result in discipline will be recorded and maintained by Team Canada Dance/IDO Canada
    2. Any other local, provincial, or national organizations with whom the individual who has been sanctioned has an affiliation may be advised of any decisions rendered under this Procedure
    3. Decisions are matters of public interest and will be publicly available with the names of the parties involved redacted.  Names of the individuals disciplined may be disclosed to the extent necessary to give effect to any sanction imposed

I am aware of the risks connected with attending this event on this date. I agree to not hold accountable or bring legal action against the company, their officers, agents, or employees. This waiver releases the company from all liability relating to injuries that may occur on location before, during, or after activity.

 

By signing this agreement I agree to hold the company entirely free from any liability, including financial responsibility for injuries incurred, regardless of the reasons or circumstances.

 

I acknowledge the risk involved with this activity including, but not limited to, muscle tears, sprains, and other physical injuries. I certify that my participation is voluntary and I have been made aware of the risks. Additionally, I do not have any conditions that may increase my likelihood of injury.

 

I will make every effort to obey the company personnel, all safety rules, and will ask for clarification if needed.