At the HMA, our mission is to promote the interests of climbing and mountaineering amongst the members of the club, to encourage participation in climbing and mountaineering activities and work with the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) to safeguard climbing, and mountaineering, allowing individuals to experience adventure today and for generations to follow.
We are firm believers in the liberating power of adventure and are committed to making it accessible to everyone. We believe that embracing challenges enriches lives, fosters mental and physical well-being, and unites our community. Our goal is to inspire as many people as possible to join us in enjoying these exhilarating activities and sports. We want to ensure that our sport is inclusive, safe, and welcoming.
As part of ensuring that we establish a welcoming, secure, and supportive club environment, the HMA has a Code of Conduct that is applicable to all individuals involved in the club. This includes Committee Members, club members, guest climbers and volunteers.
We request that everyone adheres to our Codes of Conduct when participating in, attending, or discussing on social media any HMA-approved event or activity.
Examples of HMA events include, but are not limited to, planned indoor and outdoor meets as per the clubs’ annual meets calendar, promoted weekly club training sessions (Chichester and Southampton), and other informal events such as the club dinner advertised and open to all members organised via the clubs’ various platforms including the Club WhatsApp, Google, and Facebook Groups.
The Code has been created with the aim of proactively assisting and guiding members and other participants towards the desired conduct. As a result, we hope that the sanctions for violating the Codes of Conduct, detailed at the end of this document, will not be necessary.
General Code of Conduct
This General Code of Conduct applies to all individuals attending a HMA Event, which includes members of the Club, committee members, guest members and volunteers.
- Respect the natural outdoor environment and minimise the environmental impact of their activities.
- Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. mental and physical health benefits, and risk management).
- Encourage participants to enjoy and value their own ability and not just the outcome.
- Be a positive role model for the activity you are volunteering or participating in.
- Respect the rights, dignities and worth of everyone.
- Encourage two-way communication with all, fostering a pleasant, respectful, and friendly atmosphere.
- Take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions whilst volunteering or participating in HMA activities.
- Do not use illegal drugs at any HMA sanctioned event within and only smoke/vape or consume alcohol if old enough to legally do so and in designated areas.
- Ensure appropriate use of social media/digital communication.
- Always report concerns you have about safeguarding, bullying, harassment and/or discrimination
- Respect the need for confidentiality whenever you have access to privileged information, including, but not limited to, Committee papers and matters of a personal nature.
- Promote, maintain, and uphold the reputation of the HMA and mountaineering at all times.
- Cooperate fully when requested to provide any evidence or other information and make a written statement in connection with any investigation by the HMA or other authority.
In addition, for those who offer training and/or mentorship.
In addition to the HMA’s General Code of Conduct, the additional standards of conduct are expected to be met by all members who offer training and/or mentorship to other club members and or guests.
- Always consider the wellbeing and safety of participants as paramount.
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants based on mutual trust and respect.
- Never assume responsibility for any role for which you are not qualified, prepared for, or that is beyond the scope of your expertise.
- Never abuse or misuse any relationship of trust or position of power or influence.
- Recognise the differences in ability and provide activity to suit both individual and group needs.
- Ensure all activities are planned, risk assessed and that participants are suitably prepared both mentally and physically.
Sanctions for failure to follow the Codes of Conduct
Our aspiration is for these Codes of Conduct to embody a straightforward and practical approach to creating a safe and positive atmosphere, enabling everyone to get maximum enjoyment from the event they are part of. We believe that they are simple to follow and that the following sanctions will not need to be applied. However, any breach of any of the above Codes of Conduct may result in any of the following:
- A warning being issued.
- Being asked to undertake learning and development activities at your own cost.
- A period of suspension from club events and activities
- Being invited to resign from the club in accordance with section 9 of the constitution.
Following advice from the BMC, when a breach of the code of conduct is reported to the committee, the following process will be observed:
- The details of the issue being reported will be held in confidence, for the protection of all involved.
- Anyone raising a concern will be made aware that the committee will have to fact check the information.
- A panel of three committee members who without prior knowledge of the issue, plus a secretary will consider the issue and decide on action.
- The panel will work on a balance of probabilities when considering the issue presented.
- Depending on the issue being considered, member/s involved may be asked to refrain from participating in club activities for their own and others safety, until the issue is resolved.
- Members who have reported a concern, and those who have had concerns raised against them, have the right to appeal the panel’s decision.
- If the decision is appealed, a separate panel will be formed to consider the appeal. Previous committee members may be invited to support the appeal, if needed to make up the panel.
