Board of Directors Code of Conduct

Effective June 2026
​SECTION 1: CORE CODE OF CONDUCT (ALL DIRECTORS)
  1. ​Purpose
    The Goulbourn Skating Club (GSC) Board of Directors is committed to ethical, lawful, and professional governance. Directors must act in the best interests of the organization and maintain the confidence of members, Skate Ontario, and Skate Canada.
  2. Legal Duties and Standard of Care
    Board members shall:
    - Act honestly and in good faith in the best interests of GSC
    - Exercise the care, diligence, and skill of a reasonably prudent person
    - Comply with: Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA); GSC bylaws and policies; Skate Canada and Skate Ontario policies
  3. Conflict of Interest
    A conflict includes both:
    - Material conflict: where a Director may receive financial or personal benefit
    - Perceived conflict: where a reasonable person could question objectivity
    Directors shall:
    - Declare conflicts promptly
    - Ensure disclosures are recorded in Board minutes
    - Recuse themselves where appropriate
    Recusal Required When:
    - Decisions involve compensation, hiring, or discipline
    - Resource allocation could benefit the Director or their affiliates
    - A personal or professional advantage may arise
    Recusal Not Required For:
    - General governance decisions
    - Strategic planning and operations without personal benefit
    Where uncertainty exists, the Board may determine the appropriate level of involvement.
  4. Authority and Governance Role
    - Directors act collectively; no individual authority unless delegated
    - Directors shall not speak on behalf of the Club without authorization
    - Directors shall not interfere in operational matters outside governance roles
  5. Safe Sport and Conduct
    Board members shall:
    - Treat all individuals with dignity and respect
    - Refrain from harassment, abuse, discrimination, or retaliation
    - Comply with: Skate Canada Code of Ethics; Safe Sport policies; Skate Ontario Code of Conduct
  6. Duty to Report
    Board members must report suspected:
    - Abuse, neglect, or misconduct
    - Harassment or discrimination
    - Safe Sport violations
    Reporting must follow Skate Canada procedures.
  7. Confidentiality
    Board members shall:
    - Maintain confidentiality of Board discussions and documents
    - Protect personal and sensitive information
    - Continue this obligation after leaving the Board
  8. Integrity and Accountability
    Directors shall:
    - Act honestly and transparently
    - Support fair and consistent decision-making
    - Uphold the reputation of the Club
  9. Financial Stewardship
    Board members are responsible for:
    - Protecting Club assets
    - Ensuring proper use of funds
    - Exercising oversight and due diligence
  10. Board Participation
    Directors commit to:
    - Preparing for meetings
    - Participating respectfully
    - Supporting Board decisions once made
    Absence from three (3) consecutive meetings without valid reason may result in removal.
  11. Breach of Code
    Failure to comply may result in:
    - Investigation
    - Disciplinary action
    - Removal from the Board
SECTION 2: ADDENDUM A - PRESIDENT (DUAL ROLE: NON-CLUB-PAID COACH)
President – Dual Role Acknowledgement
This addendum recognizes that the President may also engage in independent coaching activities.
  1. Coaching Activities
    The President confirms:
    -They will not receive compensation from the Club for coaching
    - Coaching arrangements are made privately between coach and skater/family
    - No preferential access to ice or Club resources will be provided
  2. Conflict Management
    The President agrees to:
    - Declare real or perceived conflicts
    - Recuse where a reasonable perception of benefit exists, including coaching decisions impacting their coaching environment
  3. Mediation Role
    The President may act as a neutral mediator for:
    - CanSkate programs
    - PowerSkate programs
    - General Club matters
    Where matters involve:
    - STARSkate programs
    - Skaters coached by the President
    The President shall:
    - Declare the overlap
    - Limit their role to facilitation only or step aside where appropriate
  4. Volunteer Coaching
    Where the President provides emergency coaching:
    - No compensation will be accepted
    - Activities will be transparent and documented
    - The President will not influence related staffing decisions
SECTION 3: ADDENDUMM B - DIRECTOR WHO IS A PAID CLUB COACH
This addendum applies to Directors who receive compensation from the Club.
  1. Nature of Conflict
    The Director acknowledges this role creates a:
    - Material conflict of interest (financial)
    - Perceived conflict (dual role)
  2. Conflict Declaration
    The Director shall:
    - Declare their role annually
    - Ensure conflicts are recorded in meeting minutes
  3. Required Recusal
    The Director must recuse from:
    - Coach hiring, contracts, or compensation
    - Program staffing decisions
    - Coach discipline or evaluation
    - Ice allocation affecting their work or income
  4. Permitted Participation
    The Director may participate in:
    - General governance
    - Strategic planning
    - Financial oversight (excluding their own compensation matters)
  5. Restrictions
    The Director shall not:
    - Influence coaching assignments or scheduling for personal benefit
    - Receive preferential access to Club opportunities
  6. Transparency
    All compensation arrangements must:
    - Be approved by the Board (excluding the Director)
    - Be documented and consistent with Club policy