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This Greater Shediac Sailing School is a Member Organization operating under Sail Canada and has adopted Sail Canada’s Safe Sport Policy Package (Code of Conduct, Protection, Screening, Social Media, Whistleblower, Discipline and Complaints, Appeal, and Dispute Resolution Policies). These policies set out the national standards for conduct, protection, screening, complaint handling, and dispute resolution in sailing programs across Canada. In any case of inconsistency, Sail Canada’s policies prevail.

This Code of Conduct explains the behaviour expected of all participants in the Greater Shediac Sailing School program. It is intended to support a safe, respectful, and enjoyable learning environment where sailors can build skills, confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

The Greater Shediac Sailing School follows the Sail Canada Code of Conduct, the Sail Canada Safe Sport Policy Package, and the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS). All participants, including sailors, parents/guardians, instructors, volunteers, and staff, are expected to act in a manner that reflects respect, safety, fairness, and good sportsmanship. If there is any inconsistency between this Code of Conduct and the Sail Canada Code of Conduct or Safe Sport Policy Package, the Sail Canada policies will prevail.

All participants must follow the school’s safety and program rules:

1. Wear a properly fitted, zipped-up PFD on and near the water
2. Respect others
3. Wear closed-toe shoes at all times
4. Put garbage and recycling in the proper bins; no littering
5. Wear sunscreen and come prepared for the weather
6. Tell an instructor before leaving the sailing school area
7. No bullying
8. No phones or personal electronic devices during program hours, unless approved by an instructor
9. Respect boats, equipment, and facilities, and treat them as if they were your own
10. Have fun

In addition to the rules above, everyone is expected to listen, be respectful, come prepared, and help create a safe and positive environment for others. These expectations apply on and off the water and, where appropriate, to online conduct or conduct outside program hours that affects the safety, learning environment, or reputation of the school.

The school does not tolerate conduct that falls outside these rules and expectations, including harassment, discrimination, violence, intimidation, repeated refusal to follow safety instructions, deliberate damage to property, possession or use of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, vaping products, or illegal substances during the program, or inappropriate use of phones, cameras, messaging, or social media connected to the program. 

Under Sail Canada’s Code of Conduct and Safe Sport Policy Package, Individuals must not engage in maltreatment or other prohibited behaviours under the UCCMS, including physical, psychological, and sexual maltreatment, grooming, boundary transgressions, discrimination, retaliation, or failing to report concerns.

Failure to follow this Code of Conduct may result in consequences under the school’s Discipline Policy. Where behaviour may involve maltreatment, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, abuse, or other prohibited behaviour under Sail Canada’s Safe Sport Policy Package, the matter may be referred for handling under Sail Canada’s Discipline and Complaints Policy and related procedures.

To support safety, attention, and participation, students are not permitted to use personal electronic devices during program hours, including from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., unless use is specifically authorized by an instructor for a program activity or an emergency. This policy supports Rule 8 of the GSSS Rules (“No phones or personal electronic devices during the program day, unless approved by an instructor.”).

Personal electronic devices include cell phones, smart watches used for messaging, tablets, gaming devices, and similar items. Devices are discouraged because they can distract from instruction and on‑water safety, are vulnerable to loss or water damage, and cannot be securely stored by the school throughout the day.

If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during program hours, they may do so through an instructor or another designated staff member. Parents and guardians who need to reach a student during the day should contact the sailing school through the program’s designated phone number or staff contact.

If a student is using a device during program hours without permission, staff may require the device to be put away immediately. For repeated or inappropriate use, staff may hold the device in a secure location until the end of the program day and inform the student’s parent or guardian.

Students may bring devices to the program at their own risk. The sailing school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or water‑damaged electronics.

Any use of electronics that involves bullying, harassment, inappropriate photography or video, unauthorized sharing of images, inappropriate contact, or online misconduct connected to the program may be addressed under this policy and may also be referred under Sail Canada’s Safe Sport Policy Package, including its Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy. Limited use of personal devices before drop-off programming begins or after dismissal may be permitted at staff discretion, provided that use is respectful, supervised where appropriate, and does not interfere with program operations.

This Discipline Policy explains how behaviour concerns will be addressed during Greater Shediac Sailing School programs and how this relates to Sail Canada’s Safe Sport Policy Package. It applies to all participants during all program hours and activities organized by the school.

The Greater Shediac Sailing School follows the Sail Canada Code of Conduct, the Sail Canada Safe Sport Policy Package, and the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS). This policy operates alongside Sail Canada’s Safe Sport Policy Package. If there is any inconsistency, the Sail Canada policies will prevail.

1. What this policy covers

This policy is intended to address day‑to‑day behaviour issues that arise in the program, such as not following instructions, minor disrespect, or repeated disruption. Any concern that may involve more serious misconduct, including Maltreatment or other Prohibited Behaviour under Sail Canada’s Code of Conduct and the UCCMS, may be referred under Sail Canada’s Discipline and Complaints Policy and/or the Canadian Safe Sport Program.

2. Three‑strike process (students)

This three‑strike system is intended for minor to moderate behaviour issues that arise in daily programming. Failure to follow the School Code of Conduct or GSSS Rules may result in consequences under this three‑strike system. Final decisions about discipline will be made by the Program Manager, in consultation with the Head Instructor and, where appropriate, the Executive Committee.

First strike:

• The sailor is warned by an instructor, and the behaviour is discussed with them.
• The instructor informs the Head Instructor, and the incident is recorded.

Second strike:

• The sailor is warned again by an instructor or the Head Instructor.
• The sailor may be asked to sit out for the remainder of the class or day if behaviour is significantly disrupting safety or learning.
• Parents/guardians are informed and may be asked to speak with the Head Instructor and/or Program Manager to review the two incidents and agree on a plan to avoid further misbehaviour.
• The strike and any agreed plan are documented in the sailor’s file.

Third strike:

• The sailor may be removed from the program for the rest of the day, the rest of the week, or the remainder of the session, depending on the severity and pattern of behaviour.
• Parents/guardians are informed and asked to meet with the Head Instructor and Program Manager.
• The Program Manager informs the Executive Committee where removal from the program or other significant consequences are being considered.
• The strike and decision are documented in the sailor’s file.
• Continued disregard for rules or serious misconduct may result in removal from the program for the remainder of the season, without refund, to protect the safety and experience of the group. In addition to any outcome under Sail Canada’s Safe Sport processes, the school may make its own decisions about a sailor’s continued participation in the program.

3. Immediate action for serious incidents and Safe Sport matters

The school reserves the right to take immediate action outside the three‑strike sequence where necessary to protect safety or respond to serious behaviour. This may include asking a sailor to leave for the day or the remainder of the session after a single serious incident.

Any concern that may involve Maltreatment, harassment, abuse, discrimination, retaliation, or other Prohibited Behaviour under Sail Canada’s Safe Sport Policy Package may be referred to Sail Canada’s Independent Third Party for handling under the Sail Canada Discipline and Complaints Policy and/or the Canadian Safe Sport Program. The Program Manager will inform the Executive Committee, as appropriate, of any serious incident or external Safe Sport process related to the program. The school will cooperate with any process under Sail Canada’s Safe Sport Policy Package and will implement any disciplinary decisions or sanctions that result.

4. Reporting concerns

• Minor, day‑to‑day concerns can be raised with an instructor or the Head Instructor.
• Ongoing or more serious concerns can be raised with the Program Manager.
• The Executive Committee may be contacted if a concern relates to the overall operation or governance of the program.
• Contact information for Sail Canada’s Independent Third Party and the Canadian Safe Sport Program will be provided on the Greater Shediac Sailing School website and/or in registration materials. (Sail NB website has this section that I will mirror)

No one will be penalized for raising a concern in good faith. Retaliation for reporting or participating in a process under this policy or Sail Canada’s Safe Sport framework is itself a breach of the Sail Canada Code of Conduct.

For the purposes of this policy, the “program start date” means the first day of the specific session the participant is registered in.

• Participants who withdraw more than four (4) weeks before the start of their program are eligible for a full refund, less any non-refundable Sail New Brunswick fee.
• Participants who withdraw within four (4) weeks of their program start date, but before the program start date, are eligible for a 50% refund of program fees paid, less any non‑refundable Sail New Brunswick fee.
• After the program start date, no refunds will be provided except in exceptional circumstances, such as documented medical reasons, at the discretion of the Program Manager (or designate). Requests of this type must be supported by a doctor’s note or other appropriate documentation.
• All refund requests must be submitted by email to the sailing school. Please include the sailors name as used in the registration, the program, and the start date in your request.