Sheffield Beekeeping Association
Code of Conduct
Sheffield Beekeeping Association exists to promote and foster keeping healthy honey bees by supporting its members and raising awareness in others.
All its activities depend entirely on the willingness of members to volunteer their time and knowledge.
Statement of Intent
SBKA strives to promote equality, fairness, and respect. We aim to create an environment in which the contributions of all our volunteers are recognised and valued, and where dignity and respect for all is promoted.
Abuse, harassment and bullying must not be tolerated.
All complaints of abuse, harassment or bullying must be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. If these behaviours are not challenged, they can escalate and lead to significant difficulties for all concerned.
Need for this Code
Harassment and bullying can have very serious consequences for individuals. Harassment or bullying may make people unhappy, cause them stress and affect their health, family or social relationships, affect their willingness to volunteer or even to leave the Association.
SBKA will not tolerate bullying and harassment of any kind and will investigate all allegations. If appropriate, action will be taken.
Responsibilities
Everyone has the ability to help create and maintain a positive and inclusive environment free from bullying and harassment. All members can help do this by:
- Being aware of how their behaviour may affect others, and changing it if necessary;
- Treating others fairly, equally and with respect;
- Welcoming and valuing others’ opinions;
- Supporting members in achieving their tasks;
- Valuing and promoting equality and diversity;
- Remaining calm under pressure;
- Encouraging the same level of behaviour in others and making it clear when we find their behaviour unacceptable;
- Challenging or reporting bullying or harassment, whenever it is reasonable to do so; and
- If a complaint is made, cooperating with the investigation and maintaining confidentiality.
Definitions
These terms are included to help understanding and should be read for their everyday meaning.
Dignity is about individuals feeling respected, valued, included and able to contribute fully in a positive environment free from bullying and harassment.
Unacceptable behaviour is any behaviour which an individual or group knows, or ought reasonably to know, could have the potential effect of offending, humiliating, intimidating, or isolating an individual or group. If unacceptable behaviour is not challenged, it is likely to cause harm or distress to the recipient(s) and escalate into bullying or harassment.
Harassment is unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual. Harassment can be persistent or an isolated incident.
Bullying is unwanted repeated and persistent negative behaviour, not necessarily based on a particular personal characteristic, which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated, undermined or vulnerable. It is often related to an abuse of power or the use of unfair sanctions.
Victimisation is treating someone less favourably or harassing them because they have, in good faith, made a complaint or assisted someone else in making a complaint of harassment.
Complaint
A member may complain of behaviour they find offensive even if it is not directed at them.
If a member feels they have been bullied, harassed or are unhappy with someone’s behaviour towards them, or have witnessed this happening to someone else, they can:
- Approach the individual to explain the impact of their behaviour and ask for it to stop. This could be face to face, by phone or in writing. The help of another member can be enlisted to assist.
- Raise the matter with the Association Chair or one of the other Trustees who may facilitate an informal discussion to attempt to resolve the issue.
- If the Chair is involved in the complaint the member can raise the issue with a Trustee or with another member they trust who can assist to get the complaint investigated. Both parties may wish to keep a record of what has taken place, including dates, details of the matter and action taken.
Responding to a complaint
The Secretary of SBKA Committee will acknowledge the receipt of the complaint in writing within 14 days.
The member(s) involved will be offered the opportunity to respond to the complaint in writing and in person.
The Secretary will make a record of the responses. These will be discussed, together with the original complaint, at the next available meeting of the Committee.
Resolution of the Complaint
The Committee will determine whether further investigation is needed; if so, they will appoint at least two people, not involved in dealing with the initial complaint and not members of the committee, to conduct this work. They will be responsible for making a contemporaneous record of their work and findings.
Both parties have the right to bring an advocate or witness with them to any meeting.
The Committee will discuss the results at the next available meeting and endeavour to determine what action is required within 6 weeks of the submission of the report on the investigation.
Behaviour which is deemed unacceptable may lead to termination of membership of the Sheffield Beekeeping Association.
The Secretary will keep all parties informed of the Committee’s decision.
Appeal
If the member feels a decision to terminate their membership is unfair or unjust, they have the right of appeal.
This should be made in writing within 28 days of notification of the decision to the Chair or Secretary who will acknowledge receipt of the appeal.
The trustees will appoint two people, who have not been involved in the initial investigation or decision, to consider any appeal and present further recommendations as necessary to the Committee.
The Committee will communicate the outcome to those concerned.
Conflict of Interest
It may be necessary to exclude any trustee from discussions and decisions where they are involved in the initial complaint or investigation. In this case the responsibility will be passed to the remaining trustees.
July 2024