Through dragon boating, the Annapolis Dragon Boat Club aims to develop healthy bodies and spirits and build a community for everyone impacted by breast cancer.
We are committed to making this community safe and inclusive for everyone.
As a club member, you must follow the Code of Conduct.
What we strive for
We embrace four principles for expected ethical behavior within the club:
- Respect: A respectful environment creates trust and encourages diverse perspectives and views. Demonstrate a high regard for yourself and others. Be open, transparent, and responsive. Assist others in need.
- Responsibility: Decisions and actions have consequences. Always consider the impact of your decisions and actions on the broader community and strive to benefit the whole club. Accept responsibility for your choices and their consequences.
- Fairness: Be fair and reasonable. Treat others equitably and without bias so everyone has a fair opportunity. Make decisions based on relevant criteria, not personal biases or preferences. Use clear and honest communication to ensure your actions and decisions are understood and perceived as just. Disclose any potential biases or conflicts of interest.
- Honesty: Be truthful, sincere, and straightforward. To the best of your ability, discern what is accurate and true about a circumstance or statement.
Follow the ground rules
We are all responsible for ensuring our club is a safe space for everyone, both in physical and online spaces, including paddles, practices, virtual meetings, TeamSnap, email, and social media.
| What you should do | What you shouldn’t do |
|---|---|
| Behave ethically and professionally. Understand that you are representing the club. | Don’t conduct yourself in a way unbecoming of a club member. |
| Be patient and respectful. Understand that members have various levels of fitness and experience. | Don’t be condescending or talk down to other people. Don’t make personal attacks. |
| Listen carefully and actively. Listen as much as you speak. Give others the time and space to participate. | Don’t dominate conversations. Don’t interrupt or talk over other people. Don’t use inappropriate language, images, or emojis. |
| Respect other people’s real, lived experiences. | Don’t belittle others. |
| Treat other people’s identities and cultures with respect. Say and spell their name correctly and use their pronouns. | Don’t make derogatory comments based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or appearance. |
| Ensure the community is free from harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. | Don’t harass anyone. This includes, but is not limited to, retaliating against anyone who files a complaint. |
| Follow all federal, state, and local laws. | Don’t violate any laws. |
It is appropriate to have and express differing opinions, as long as you respectfully express them.
Remember that statements can often sound more aggressive than we intend, especially when dealing with sensitive topics or during disagreements. Review written messages before pressing send and consider how they may appear to recipients.
Words and actions matter. Use words that create a safe, inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment. For additional information, see the American Psychological Association’s Inclusive Language Guide.
When in doubt, don’t say or do it.
Resolve issues directly
We encourage all members to address perceived issues directly.
Talk with the other member personally. Do so gently, as misunderstandings are often the cause of perceived issues. When giving feedback, use “I” statements that focus on your feelings and perspective, rather than blaming or accusing the other person. This approach can make feedback feel less confrontational and more constructive, encouraging open communication and a willingness to address the issue. Consider using the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI)™ model to help clarify the situation, describe the behavior, and explain the impact.
If another member approaches you, be open to the feedback. Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, express gratitude, and take the time to reflect before responding. Remember that feedback is an opportunity for growth and development, not a personal attack.
Report violations
If you are unable to resolve the issue directly, please email the Board Chair or Vice Chair to report the problem.
When the Board becomes aware of alleged violations of the Code of Conduct, we use a fair and objective process to review and evaluate the incident and determine an appropriate course of action.
Courses of action include:
- Taking no action,
- Sending a reminder for infractions, and
- Issuing a first or second notice for violations.
Per the By-laws, severe or repeated violations may result in temporary or permanent expulsion from the Annapolis Dragon Boat Club.