This code of conduct outlines our expectations for members within Merri Creek Running Club, as well as steps to reporting unacceptable behaviour. We are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive and inspiring club for all and expect our code of conduct to be honoured. Anyone who violates this code of conduct may be banned from the club.
Our club strives to:
Be friendly and patient.
Be welcoming: We strive to be a club that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to, members of any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, colour, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability.
Be respectful: Not all of us will agree all the time, but disagreement is no excuse for poor behaviour and poor manners. We might all experience some frustration now and then, but we cannot allow that frustration to turn into a personal attack. It's important to remember that a club where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not an inclusive one.
Be careful in the words that you choose: we are an inclusive social running club. Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other members. Harassment and other exclusionary behaviour aren't acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to:
When we disagree, try to understand why: Disagreements happen all the time. It is important that we resolve disagreements and differing views constructively. Remember that we're different. The strength of our club comes from its diversity, people from a wide range of backgrounds. Different people have different perspectives on issues. Being unable to understand why someone holds a viewpoint doesn't mean that they're wrong. Don't forget that it is human to err and blaming each other doesn't get us anywhere. Instead, focus on helping to resolve issues and learning from mistakes.
This code is not exhaustive or complete. It serves to distill our common understanding of a collaborative, shared environment, and goals. We expect it to be followed in spirit as much as in the letter.
We encourage everyone to participate and are committed to building a club for all. Although we may not be able to satisfy everyone, we all agree that everyone is equal. Whenever a participant has made a mistake, we expect them to take responsibility for it. If someone has been harmed or offended, it is our responsibility to listen carefully and respectfully, and do our best to right the wrong.
Although this list cannot be exhaustive, we explicitly honour diversity in age, gender, gender identity or expression, culture, ethnicity, language, national origin, political beliefs, profession, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and running ability. We will not tolerate discrimination based on any of the protected characteristics above, including members with disabilities.
If you experience or witness unacceptable behaviour — or have any other concern — please report it by contacting us via codeofconduct@merricreekrunning.club. All reports will be handled with discretion. In your report please include:
After filing a report, a representative will contact you personally. If the person who is harassing you is part of the response team, they will recuse themselves from handling your incident. A representative will then review the incident, follow up with any additional questions, and make a decision as to how to respond. We will respect confidentiality requests for the purpose of protecting victims of abuse.
Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately. If an individual engages in unacceptable behaviour, the representative may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a permanent ban from our club without warning.
This code of conduct is based on the Open Code of Conduct from the TODOGroup.
We are thankful for their work and all the communities who have paved the way with codes of conduct.