Code of Conduct
The NYCGHA Code of Conduct is the organization's statement of expected behavioral standards that all players are required to read and follow. The Code of Conduct, intended to reflect the stated goals of the NYCGHA (see Mission Statement), clarifies the expectation that NYCGHA players have responsibility for their actions both on and off the ice, while traveling and at home, and have accountability for those actions when NYCGHA standards are violated.
Mission Statement: The New York City Gay Hockey Association (NYCGHA) provides an environment free of harassment and discrimination for members and friends of the LGBT community to play ice hockey and fulfill their athletic aspirations.
Language
Threatening language and verbal threats, slurs against race, ethnicity, sexuality or gender will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is defined as: fairness and respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing.
All players are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of sportsmanship. Any player who deliberately tries to harm or intimidate another player through the use of force will be subject to the consequences described below.
Consequences
If an NYCGHA member is found to be behaving outside of the Code of Conduct, he or she will receive a warning from the Board via email or in person. If the offender continues to behave in a manner that violates the NYCGHA Code of Conduct, he or she will be suspended for the two games immediately following the repeat infraction and the suspension will be posted on the appropriate team's Sky Rink web page. A player who is suspended is not eligible for a refund of any portion of their season fee nor are they allowed to sit on the bench during the two games for which they are suspended. This applies to all players.
If a captain or alternate captain is suspended, he or she will be removed from their position as captain or alternate captain and the NYCGHA Executive Board will appoint a new captain or alternate. As representatives of the NYCGHA and "spokespersons" for their individual team, it is doubly important that Captains and Alternate Captains be held to the highest level of conduct. They set the example for the team.
If a player who has been suspended subsequently behaves in a manner that violates the NYCGHA Code of Conduct, the player will be removed from the team's roster and suspended for the remainder of the season as well as for the subsequent season. In this case, the unused portion of their current season league fee will be refunded. In keeping with Sky Rink rules, a player with a season suspension from one division, can still play in other divisions within the NYCGHA provided that the player is on the team roster in the other division. A player with a season suspension can apply for probationary reinstatement to his or her team after one full season of suspension.
Reporting Code of Conduct violations
Code of Conduct violations may be reported to the NYCGHA Executive Board using our feedback form. All reports will be confidential, will be investigated in a timely manner and may involve work with the NYCGHA Advisory Council. Other reports of code of conduct violations may come from Sky Rink staff or officials and from teams outside the NYCGHA.
In addition, there are two other methods for reporting violations:
- An NYCGHA team captain can decide that a member of his or her team has violated the Code of Conduct and can choose to take action upon receiving approval from the Executive Board.
- Any official suspensions handed down by Sky Rink are considered as violations of the Code of Conduct.
In either of these instances, no investigation by the NYCGHA Executive Board is necessary for the player to receive the consequences designated.
To issue warnings, suspensions or expulsions, the NYCGHA board must vote unanimously. In addition, in the matter of expulsions, the advisory council must also have a majority vote among its members. All decisions by the board are final.
This Code of Conduct is effective December 20, 2004.
The Code of Conducted was revised on March 25, 2007.
