Mission Statement

Vienna Gaels GAA Club aims to promote Gaelic Games and related activities in the city of Vienna, Austria and is committed to the physical, social and personal development of all members. The Club policy is to encourage active participation by all members in Gaelic games and related Irish cultural activities in order to achieve their potential in a structured, safe and disciplined environment. The overall aim is to create a community spirit for the benefit of all through committing Vienna Gaels GAA Club to excellence and high standards on and off the playing fields.

Vienna Gaels GAA Club strives to achieve a family-friendly environment where people show respect for themselves, for others and for their own, others and Club property. Respect is defined as consideration for the well-being of another person’s body, emotions and possessions. The environment is to be free of harassment, defined as any action directed at an individual or group, which creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment. Vienna Gaels GAA Club is a club where all members should respect and encourage each other and themselves.

Introduction

A member of the Vienna Gaels GAA Club is an individual who has paid the annual membership fee under one of the categories of membership available. It includes the member’s dependents and guests. All members of the Vienna Gaels GAA Club consent to abide by this Code of Conduct. Participation and/or attendance at Vienna Gaels GAA Club related events is subject to compliance with the Code.

The Vienna Gaels Code of Conduct outlines good practice procedures required of those participating in the GAA within the club, regardless of what role they may play in doing so. It also aims to create an atmosphere of fairness, integrity, and respect among participants, coaches, players, and supporters. It covers the behaviour of all members involved before, during, and after any game, training or cultural or social event, no matter the environment.

Participants, coaches, supporters, referees and other personnel should recognise the pivotal role that each and many others play in the development of GAA within the club and should always support one another when fulfilling their roles.

General Rules

Members shall:

1. Pay club membership promptly on an annual basis, and any other relevant payments (e.g. tournament fees) as appropriate.
2. Respect all club members, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, ability, disability, cultural background, religion, political views, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristic.
3. Take responsibility for their own actions and respect the interests of others.
4. Behave in a way that does not place themselves or others at risk.
5. Not engage in bullying in any form (i.e. direct, indirect, relational / social, cyber, etc.), abuse or taking unfair advantage of another club member. Such behaviour will not be tolerated.
6. Not engage in retaliation, intimidation, harassment or victimisation of any person who makes a complaint, provides information, acts as a witness, or is involved in a Club disciplinary process, either in person or online.
7. Not knowingly discriminate, abuse, harass, ridicule or embarrass anyone.
8. Have due care for club property and club members.
9. Engage in fair, considerate, and honest treatment of others.
10. Give respect, dignity and proper regard to all members’ rights and obligations.
11. Respect the privacy of others.
12. Behave in mature and acceptable social behaviour while in the club.
13. Be mindful of individual safety and the safety of others involved in the club.
14. Refrain from the use of offensive language.
15. Refrain from representing the club in any dealings, unless authorised to by the club committee.
16. Refrain from tarnishing the reputation of the club, club members, employees or bring it into disrepute.
17. Refrain from posting on social media any comments about the club or its members that could or does bring the club into disrepute or harm the reputation of the club or its members.
18. Ensure that GAA and Gaelic activities are played and conducted in accordance with disciplined and sporting behaviour and acknowledge that it is not sufficient to rely solely upon the referees / officials to uphold the Code of Conduct.
19. Respect the decisions of all referees / officials, judges, Committees and Councils.
20. Promote fair play at all times.
21. Show appreciation to volunteers, coaches, clubs, and officials.
22. Report breaches of the Code of Conduct to the appropriate person or committee.

Dealing with Alleged Breaches of Conduct

The Club Committee is responsible for handling breaches of conduct. All Club Committee members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects honesty, integrity and support of the best interest of the club and that affords the club a clear and accessible method to voice their concerns in a proper and consistent manner through:

• Being an unbiased participant in upholding the Code of Conduct;
• Having a professional and healthy regard for confidentiality.

Decisions taken by the Club Committee regarding breach of conduct require at minimum a quorum of half the members of the Club Committee. Any decision leading to a temporary suspension or expulsion from the club requires a quorum of three quarters of the members of the Club Committee.

All complaints, investigations, meetings and disciplinary decisions should be treated as confidential and information should only be shared with those who need it for the purposes of dealing with the matter.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct Rules

1. 1st Offence – Verbal Warning
2. 2nd Offence – Written Warning
3. 3rd Offence – Suspension from club activities for a period of time
4. 4th Offence – Expulsion

The Club Committee can escalate the penalty beyond the steps outlined above, depending on the seriousness of the offence.

Any suspension from the club applies to all Vienna Gaels activities and events, including matches, training, social events, meetings, tournaments, fundraisers and the Annual General Meeting, unless otherwise specified by the Club Committee.

Complaint Process

1. Complaints should be resolved informally where possible by one member of the Club Committee who is known to both parties.
2. Where a complaint has not been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties through informal processes and the complainant(s) wish to have their case pursued, complaints should be submitted in writing through the Club Secretary.
3. The Club Secretary is directed to process the complaint and to inform the Club Committee.
4. If the complaint is deemed to be admissible by the Club Committee, the Club Secretary will inform the member(s) concerned in writing within a reasonable time frame.
5. The Club Secretary will convene a meeting within a reasonable timeframe in the best interests and availability of all parties from receipt of the complaint. The member will be invited to attend a meeting with the Club Committee as determined by the Club Committee and the complainant(s) to discuss the issue. Where a member is invited before the Club Committee, they are entitled to bring one representative to support them. It is the expectation that all parties will be in attendance along with a minimum of three Club Committee members.
6. In the case of in-person meetings the case shall be presented by the complainant(s) in full, after which the member(s) against whom the complaint is being made, can respond, ask questions, etc., as they wish. Witnesses can be called by either party, and this must be notified to all other parties before the meeting. It is not envisaged that witnesses will attend the full meeting, and the Club Committee will determine the stage and length of time any witnesses will spend in the meeting. The meeting is still subject to the overall Code of Conduct and as such all will show respect for others at the meetings and their roles. One member of the Club Committee will facilitate the proceedings.
7. Minutes and notes must be taken and submitted to record.
8. The Club Committee, during one the Club Committee meeting, will then make a decision regarding sanction(s) as appropriate and required depending on the nature of the breach of code, ranging from a verbal warning, written warning, suspension or expulsion within a reasonable time frame.
9. If a club member engages in a behaviour constituting a breach of conduct witnessed by multiple Club Committee members, the Club Committee can take the case of its own motion and take a decision without hearing the parties. This is not available to the Club Committee if one of the Club Committee member present is a direct victim of the breach of conduct, as due process to the person having committed the breach of conduct.
10. Actions must be assigned and closed within an agreed timeframe.
11. Members have the right to appeal a disciplinary decision. Appeals should be submitted through the process determined by the relevant European County Board / Gaelic Games Europe, as appropriate.
12. A log will be kept of complaints / issues (both formal and informal) which will be reviewed annually to encourage and promote best practices within the club.