Volunteer Information and Code of Conduct

-    A GAO Volunteer is anyone who, without compensation or expectation of compensation beyond
agreed upon reimbursement, performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of the GAO.
-    The GAO acknowledges and supports the vital role of volunteers in achieving the
GAO’s mission.
-    A Volunteer must be a member in good standing of the GAO and must be
officially accepted and registered by the GAO prior to the commencement of their volunteer
activities.
-    The GAO recognizes that volunteers are a vital human resource and will strive for
the appropriate infrastructure to support volunteers.
-    All Volunteers are subject to the GAO Screening Policy. Individuals will be
provided with the necessary information to complete the process at the GAO’s expense. Please refer
to the GAO Screening Policy for details on the Levels of Screening and their specific requirements.
-    Volunteer assignments address the GAO principles and involve volunteers in
meaningful ways – reflecting their various abilities, needs and backgrounds.
-    Volunteers receive an orientation to the GAO and receive training specific to
their volunteer assignments.
-    Volunteers receive appropriate levels of supervision according to their task and
are given regular opportunities to receive and give feedback.
-    The contributions of volunteers are regularly acknowledged with formal and
informal recognition methods.

Policies and procedures are adopted by the GAO to provide a framework that defines and supports the
involvement of volunteers. As such, volunteers will:

-    Refrain from using abusive or profane language
-    Demonstrate respect for fellow volunteers, spectators, host clubs and staff.
-    Adhere to the volunteer dress code, wearing only the current sponsors
clothing during the course of their duties
-    Will not demonstrate any other conduct not becoming of a GAO member.

GAO Volunteers must develop a relationship with athletes and others based on openness, honesty and
a mutual trust and respect. Inherent to this, Volunteers must not engage in behaviour that
constitutes any form of abuse, perceived or otherwise whether it is emotional, physical, or sexual.
Definitions of Abuse:

-    Emotional abuse is a chronic attack on an individual’s self –esteem; it is
psychologically destructive behaviour by a person in a position of power, authority or trust.
-    Physical abuse is when a person in a position of power or trust purposefully
injures or threatens to injure. This may take the form of slapping, hitting, shaking, kicking
pulling of hair or ears, throwing, shoving, grabbing, hazing or excessive exercise as a form of
punishment.
GAO.ca
-    Sexual abuse is when a young person is used by an adult for his or her own sexual stimulation
or gratification - this includes contact of a sexual nature and non contact such as obscene
remarks,  voyeurism, sexually intrusive questions or comments.

Volunteers will refrain from hugging, kissing, touching etc. of athletes and must take action if
they have concerns about the treatment of a minor

Volunteers will not transport athletes/participants on behalf of GAO unless arrangements have been
made as part of your volunteer role at a particular event.

In the event of a violation of the Volunteer Code of Conduct, the designated official in charge of
the specific event (e.g. Executive Director, Board Member, Director of Tournaments and Player
Development) may instigate any or all of the following, based on the severity of the violation:

-    express their concern verbally to the volunteer
-    issue a written letter of warning to the volunteer
-    remove the volunteer from the venue at which the violation occurs
-    disqualify the volunteer from participating in future GAO activities
-    suspend the volunteer’s membership in the Golf Association of Ontario, indefinitely

In the event of a suspension of which the volunteer wishes to appeal, the individual is required to
submit a written account of the incident to the Executive Committee of the Golf Association of
Ontario Board of Directors within fifteen (15) days of the suspension. The volunteer will be
notified of the date when such appeal will be heard. The Board will issue a written decision within 30 days of such hearing. 

All such decisions are final.