Behaviour of Club Members

Portishead Cycling Club expects its members to behave in a way that demonstrates respect for other members and the general public. It also wishes to operate in an environment that is free from harassment or discrimination. To this end, and as we are a club affiliated to British Cycling, Portishead Cycling Club members must read and comply with the following policies:

Equality

Portishead Cycling Club is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture amongst all members. As a club affiliated to British Cycling, we follow the British Cycling Equality Policy and we commit to providing the opportunity for everyone who wants to ride their bike and be involved in the sport to be able to do so in a safe, accessible and supportive environment

 

Diversity

Membership of Portishead Cycling Club shall be open to anyone interested in the Sport on application, regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs and we follow British Cycling’s Diversity Policy and their commitment to a Diversity Action Plan

 

Safeguarding

We follow British Cycling Safeguarding Policies and Procedures when working with Under 18 riders and adults at risk. We are committed to the welfare and safety of our riders, and have a dedicated welfare officer to ensure these guidelines are applied and our members have a safe and positive Portishead Cycling Club experience.

 

In addition, the club will not tolerate:

• Damage to or theft of any person’s property.

• The use or encouragement of the use of banned substances (as outlined in the UCI anti-doping policy)

• Any act of abuse, violence, intimidation, bullying or harassment against another club member, another rider or member of the public, including those in breach of the BC Equality and Diversity Policies.

• Any act that is deemed to be illegal whilst participating in a club organised activity.

• Ignoring the requests or instructions from officials such as the police.

 

Digital Messaging Apps and the Forum

Your fellow members are a friendly and helpful group of people. Please remember, though, that people of all ages and backgrounds use our forum and digital messaging apps, so stick to common sense conventions with regards to language.

• Opinions can be expressed in diverse ways but please do not make personal attacks or engage in flame wars (long, abusive exchanges) as it inhibits debate and creates bad feeling. If in doubt, ask yourself: would I be comfortable saying this to their face? If the answer is no, do not hit the “post” button.

• Avoid swearing.

• Offensive posts will be immediately removed. For the avoidance of doubt; this includes any post that discriminates on the basis of race, gender, religion or disability.

• A request for a post to be removed or edited simply because you disagree with what a member has said or the way it has been expressed is likely to be ignored. Dislike and offence are different. If in doubt, ask yourself if the basis for your complaint falls into any of the above categories.

 

Volunteering

Portishead Cycling Club would not exist without the help and support for all of those that freely volunteer their time and efforts to assist with the running of the club.  Thank you to all that do. 

The key principles for our club volunteers are:

• Any volunteer activity is a freely made choice of the individual. If there is any  compulsion, threat of sanctions or force, then any such activity is not volunteering.

• Volunteers should receive no financial reward for their time however out of pocket expenses could be considered; no one should be prevented from volunteering due to their income.

• Effective structures should be put in place to support, train and develop volunteers.

• Volunteers and paid workers should be able to carry out their duties in safe, secure and healthy environments that are free from harassment, intimidation, bullying, violence and discrimination.

• Any work, development, process or content carried out by volunteers on the club’s Website, Strava pages or any other media platform remains the property of Portishead Cycling Club. 

 

Grievance and Disciplinary Process

The Committee shall be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the Club’s constitution / code of conduct and for disciplining members following such hearings.

Disciplinary hearings:

• All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be notified to the Secretary in writing as soon as reasonably practicable. The member or members involved would normally be asked to explain what had happened to an investigation team, comprised of members of the Committee, to investigate what happened and make recommendations

• The Committee will consider any complaints at the next committee meeting due to be held after notification of the complaint

• The club occasionally receives feedback on its website, via social media or directly to Committee members about the conduct of its members on club rides. Most of these are of a minor nature and do not require in depth investigation. If some action is required, it will probably be to ask the member(s) involved to address the issue and if appropriate take action to stop the incident happening again

• For more serious issues, especially involving safety and/or abuse violence, intimidation, bullying, harassment, or discrimination of any kind, the member or members involved would normally be asked to explain what had happened to an investigation team, appointed by the Committee, to investigate what happened and make recommendations. These would be discussed between the Committee members, if necessary, at a specially convened Committee meeting within 14 days of the complaint being made. Any proposed actions would have to be approved by the Committee. Any Club member who was involved in this disciplinary process would have the right to bring as much evidence to the investigation team, (including witnesses) as they felt necessary to support their position in the case of a dispute. The investigation team would also be able to consult widely and gather as much evidence as is necessary to understand and resolve the issue. The Committee’s decision as to disposal of the complaint shall be notified in writing to the person who made the complaint and the person complained about within 7 days of such decision being taken

• Appeal against the decision of the Committee may be made to a panel consisting of three club members appointed by the Club Welfare Officer. Normally if the breach was the first of its kind and of a relatively minor nature, the individuals concerned would be requested to take the appropriate remedial action and would suffer no further consequences. A repeat of the breach, or a more serious incident might trigger the issuing of a verbal or written warning to those who were deemed to be responsible for the breach. Very serious offences or a repeat of a more serious incident can result in suspension from some or all club activities for a period of time, expulsion from the Club and, if necessary, involvement of the Police

• The Club Welfare Officer shall be responsible for ensuring the fair conduct of disciplinary hearings and shall not have a vote.

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