Code of Conduct
Code of conduct (effective 7/6/25)
Purpose – What is the WSS Code of Conduct?
This Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for anyone participating in Wellington street skate (WSS) meetups. It serves to inform attendees what is acceptable behavior at an event, and how to report a breach, and what the implications are of such a breach.
Scope – Where does it apply?
This code of conduct applies to everyone participating with or within WSS, either online or off – either as a participant or as a representative of WSS. This includes all official WSS spaces such as the mailing list, official communication channels such as wellingtonstreetskate@gmail.com, the WSS website(s), WSS social media spaces, "sweetskatespot" facebook group and associated group chat, the "Magic Session" held in private venues, and all other WSS managed spaces both online and off. Participants are responsible for knowing and abiding by these rules. WSS reserves the right to expel any participant from any WSS event or space.
The Code of Conduct – What are the unacceptable behaviours?
WSS recognises that harassment can have far-reaching consequences on emotional and physical health and is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience. WSS does not tolerate harassment in any form.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
Discriminatory actions or offensive/unwelcome comments, including those relating to: gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, clothing, skate gear, body size, age, race, or religion, lifestyle choices and practices (including those – related to food, health, parenting, drugs, and employment.)
Sexual harassment (irrespective of gender), as in unwanted attention of a sexually-oriented nature, including (but not limited to) offensive comments or gestures of a sexual nature, sexual or smutty jokes, repeated comments/invitations/ intrusions into someone’s private life, unwelcome physical contact or simulations of physical contact, provocative visual material.
Bullying physically or mentally, as in repeated, persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating, malicious, or insulting behavior, including (but not limited to) threats and intimidation, manipulation and coercion, verbally or degrading language, gestures or images, shouting, yelling; using a raised voice and unpleasant tone, unexplained displays of rage, intentional humiliation, remarks either to the recipient or behind their back, threats of violence, stalking or cyberstalking.
Physical intimidation or actions that cause fear, threaten safety of other skaters and/or members of the public in the vicinity.
Reporting – How do I report a violation of the Code of Conduct?
If you or someone you know are being harassed within a WSS space, or have any other concerns, please contact WSS at wellingtonstreetskate@gmail.com. WSS will record, retain, and share any and all records related to violations of the Code of Conduct according to the WSS Complaint Handling Policy.
Procedure for Handling Complaints.
Purpose: To establish a fair procedure for managing complaints and assess potential violations of WSS Code of Conduct.
Limitations: This procedure is limited to behavior and/or actions that occur or are considered likely to occur within the ‘sphere of influence’ of WSS.
Making a complaint
If you are directly affected by inappropriate behavior, you are encouraged to submit a Formal Complaint via email to wellingtonstreetskate@gmail.com. If you witness bullying, abuse, harassment, or discrimination, please report what you observed. Witness reports are valued and will support the complaint process.
Complainants are welcome to informally discuss their concerns with WSS, immediately at the time or during the meetup. If it cannot be resolved at the time you may be asked to submit the complaint via email so it can be followed up.
The complaint should detail which aspects of the WSS Code of Conduct have been violated and provide a description of the violating behavior. The complaint may also include a victim impact statement, relevant history, witness reports and
any supporting documentation (ie: images, screenshots, videos, etc.). Complaints should be made within one year of the violating behavior, although this may be waived at WSS discretion.
Rights of the Complainant, the Accused, and WSS.
Both the Complainant and the Accused are welcome to involve a support person who will be included in all communications with them and WSS. As a part of submitting a complaint, the Complainant may need to agree to be identified to the Accused if this is determined to be a significant need for the procedure.
The Complainant is not expected to speak to the Accused or communicate with them in any way.
The information provided by the Complainant will be confidential to the investigation, but the Accused will be given the Complainant’s formal statement, which may identify them.
Any person who is Accused of violating WSS Code of Conduct will be given the opportunity to review the formal statement made by the Complainant and provide a formal statement of their own. The procedure for submitting the formal statement of the Accused follows the same process outlined above.
The accuser(s) and the Accused will be given a reasonable period of time to provide their statements, but no longer than two weeks. The statements may be shared in full or in part with the other party at the discretion WSS.
WSS can and will defer cases to police at any time deemed necessary.
If a disciplinary action is taken, WSS may need to make a public statement without sharing identifying information,
and/or Share information, including identifying information, with police.
Records
A record of all disciplinary complaints, actions, and sanctions will be kept and recorded.
A reported person’s file is held as current until three years have passed with no activity.
Any evidence, including screenshots, pictures, statements and video recordings, that are generated as a part of the investigation will be committed to the record.
Records can be shared with relevant authorities such as police.
Records can be shared with WSS volunteers managing events and online spaces.
The Disciplinary Committee
Upon receipt of a complaint in writing, WSS will appoint a Disciplinary Committee, of at least 3 current independent members.
WSS members with conflicts of interest will be excluded from the Disciplinary Committee.
If the Disciplinary Committee cannot be made of 3 current independent members at the needed time, then WSS will undertake the role and functions prescribed to the committee.
Disciplinary Action
Any behaviors or actions that violate laws, bylaws or regulations will be reported to the relevant authorities/ police. The record of past Disciplinary Actions may be reviewed when considering current or future actions.
Upon review by the Disciplinary Committee, they may decide to take one or more of the following actions:
1.May take no Disciplinary Action.
2.The offending person(s) may receive a Warning. A warning will be issued and recorded in the WSS records.
Past Warnings may be reviewed when considering current or future Disciplinary Actions
3.The offending person(s) may be Sanctioned. Sanctions prevent the offending person from attending or
otherwise engaging in any activities, events, or social media activities within the WSS sphere.
Sanctions may be reviewed or have a time limit imposed. Upon which it may be lifted after a certain period.
4.The offending person(s) may receive a Lifetime Ban. A lifetime ban prevents the offending person from attending or
otherwise engaging in any activities, events, or social media activities within the WSS sphere.
Lifetime bans do not have an expiry date, however they can be reviewed and/or revised by the current or future Disciplinary Committee.
Complaint Handling Procedure
Upon receipt of a complaint, the Disciplinary Committee will be formed. The Disciplinary Committee will solicit formal statements from the accuser(s) and the Accused, and these will be stored in the WSS Disciplinary Records.
The Disciplinary Committee will then convene a meeting, where the official statements will be discussed, and the Committee will decide whether the WSS Code of Conduct has been violated.
The Committee may request additional information from both parties in writing or verbally. The Committee may request information from third-party witnesses, but will disclose this to both parties.
In the event that the Code of Conduct has been violated, the Disciplinary Committee will provide a recommendation for Disciplinary Action as listed above.
The proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee meeting and any Disciplinary Action(s) will be recorded in the official record.
Appeals
If any party wishes to appeal the process or outcome, they may contact the Disciplinary Committee at any time stating their reasons for appeal. Appeals will be conducted at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee.