Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies

Policies

Skyline Hikers has a strong set of values as laid out in the following policies.

Respectful Behaviour Policy

As a responsible not-for-profit organization, Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies is committed to creating and sustaining a respectful environment for everyone who contributes to its operations.

Scope

This policy applies to the following people and places:

People:

  1. Members of the Skyline Hikers Executive and Council
  2. Skyline Hikers camp staff (i.e. host/hostess; chief leader; medic; musician)
  3. Outfitter and outfitter’s staff
  4. Campers and hikers

Places:

  1. Meeting rooms
  2. Staging areas and buses en route to and from a trailhead
  3. Backcountry trails and camps
  4. All modes of communication including but not restricted to phone, email and social media

Expectations

All people are to be treated with respect, honesty, fairness and dignity. Skyline Hikers encourages behaviours that support and create a respectful environment for volunteers, outfitter employees and campers alike. Examples include:

  • Being polite, courteous and respectful of others.
  • When reviewing others’ ideas and suggestions, identifying what is workable about the proposal as well as areas for improvement.
  • Treating others equitably and fairly.
  • Listening to what others have to say.
  • Being open-minded to others’ ideas, comments and suggestions.
  • Seeking change through open and effective communication.
  • Seeking input and the active involvement of appropriate people in planning, decision-making and implementing initiatives.
  • Ensuring that decision-making takes into account relevant factors, is fair and is seen to be fair.
  • Recognizing and valuing the diversity among Council members, staff and campers.
  • Willingly and sincerely apologizing to people when something said or done has offended someone.

Internal Communication

Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies believes in healthy, respectful communication and strong efforts to seek compromise. Skyline Hikers espouses the following communication principles and expects all Council and Committee members and Skyline Hikers staff members to reflect these principles in their work for the organization:

  1. All members’ opinions and ideas will be welcomed with gratitude. Opinions and ideas will be expressed as suggestions rather than directions.
  2. Opinions and ideas expressed at meetings will be given respectful and thorough consideration before being accepted or rejected. Opinions and ideas will be offered with due respect and recognition of a Council member’s authority in a particular role.
  3. Committee chairs will strive to communicate with their committee members and their counterparts on other committees a number of times throughout the year.
  4. Committee chairs, camp staff, and other volunteers will respond to communication requests from Council or the Executive in a timely manner. If no response is received within 60 days, the volunteer will be assumed to have resigned, or to be unable to fulfill their position.
  5. During Council meetings, the views of outside parties (those not on the Council) will be given due consideration whenever possible and when properly documented and quantified. However, the views of and decisions taken by Council take precedence over non-Council opinions.
  6. Once a decision is made by the Executive and/or Council, Council members and volunteer camp staff will make every effort to support that decision in word and action to make it work for the organization.
  7. All materials produced for by Executive or Council members become the property of Skyline Hikers. This includes materials such as Skyline Hikers meeting minutes, committee reports, Skyline Hikers website and marketing materials (electronic and hard copy), as well as all other physical assets. These remain the property of Skyline Hikers and a member shall not retain, circulate or withhold any such material upon leaving a Council position.

Inappropriate Behaviour

Behaviour and/or situations that run contrary to respectful, honest, fair and dignified treatment will not be tolerated.

Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes any behaviour, practice or policy that has a direct or adverse impact based on: age, ancestry, colour, family status, marital status, mental or physical disability, place of origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, source of income, or gender (including sexual harassment), or any other ground covered by the Alberta Human Rights Act.

  • Discriminatory or harassing behaviours include unwelcome comments, actions, jokes, taunts, suggestions or speculations about a person’s body, attire, sex life, etc. as well as displays of pornographic or other sexual materials in the form of pictures, electronic mail, graffiti, cartoons or sayings.
  • Sexual harassment includes comments or conduct such as: unwelcome advances, requests, comments, physical contact such as unnecessary touching, pinching or jostling or suggestive gestures or persistent staring of a sexual nature.

Threats will not be tolerated. Threats includes any act, gesture or statement that gives a volunteer or hiker reasonable cause to believe that there is risk of injury to themselves, another person or Skyline Hikers property.

Consequences of Inappropriate Behaviour

The Executive Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Past President), in consultation with other parties as needed, will take appropriate action to ensure a respectful environment.

Skyline Hikers promises to respond quickly to complaints about inappropriate behaviour, and to resolve issues speedily, openly, honestly and with appropriate consideration for privacy and confidentiality. Every effort will be made to resolve conflicts fairly and amicably through effective communication. If necessary, further action could include barring a person from volunteer duties or from returning as a hiker.

Skyline Hikers is committed to supporting all parties involved in the resolution of issues pursuant to this policy and to ensuring that no one is subject to reprisals as a result of making a complaint or for providing information.