Code of Conduct – Nova Scotia Basketball Officials
The Code of Conduct for Nova Scotia Basketball Officials has been developed to identify important standards which will be utilized by all members to enhance the professionalism of the organization. By adhering to the standards listed below, all officials will help ensure that the game of basketball is played in an environment of the highest integrity, competency, safety, and fair play.
It is the responsibility of all NSBO members to familiarize themselves with the Code of Conduct so that their behavior, both on and off the basketball court, will withstand the highest scrutiny and accountability during the performance of their duties.
1) Officials shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately, and shall comport themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the profession.
2) Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all contractual obligations.
3) Officials shall master both rules of the game and mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, observe other officials work, attempt to improve their game at all times, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner.
4) Officials shall display and execute superior communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal. These skills should be executed in a manner that does not draw attention to themselves as the game is more important than the ambitions of an official.
5) Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interactions with student-athletes, coaches, school administrators, colleagues, and the public. They shall refrain from talking about other officials to other officials, bystanders, coaches, players, and athletic directors. All queries should be directed through Area Supervisors to the appropriate member of the executive.
6) Officials shall hold and maintain the basic tenets of officiating
which include history, integrity, neutrality, respect, sensitivity,
professionalism, discretion, tactfulness, hustle, and effort.
7) Officials shall recognize that anything which may lead to a conflict
of interests, either real or apparent, must be avoided. Gifts, favors, special
treatment, privileges, employment or a personal relationship with a school, team
or league which can compromise the perceived impartiality of officiating must be
avoided.
8) Officials
shall not work any games not assigned by the local Area Assignor. They shall
not harass the Assignor in any way, particularly to benefit themselves in terms
of the number or level of games they receive.
9) Officials shall make every effort possible to attend area meetings or make non-attendance known.
10) Officials shall work with each other, whether officiating or not, and their governing bodies in a constructive and cooperative manner. Whether officiating or not, they shall neither criticize nor attempt to explain fellow officials' judgements or decisions nor do anything to cause them public embarrassment.
11) Officials shall not speak on behalf of NSBO but use their Area Supervisor as the first avenue of requesting information. This will be the only accepted form of a query.
12) Officials shall not use the NSBO email list in any unauthorized manner that promotes a viewpoint or forum of any member that is not mandated by the executive. All official statements from NSBO will come from the President’s Office. This policy also applies to any local area email list.
13) Officials shall abide by all sections of the NSBO constitution and
Rules and Regulations, and the mandate set forth in those sections.
14) Officials shall bear a great responsibility for engendering public confidence in sports.
15) Officials shall be free of obligation to any interest other than the impartial and fair judging of sports competitions.
16) Officials shall not be party to actions designed to unfairly limit or restrain access to officiating, officiating assignments or to association membership. This includes selection for positions of leadership based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, age, sex, physical handicap, country or national origin.
17) Officials shall resist every temptation and outside pressure to use one’s position as an official to benefit oneself.
18) Officials shall never participate in any form of illegal gambling on sports contests, may never gamble on any sporting event in which they have either a direct or indirect involvement, and may never gamble on events involving high school athletics.
19) Officials shall not make false or misleading statements regarding their qualifications, rating, credentials, experience, training or competence.
20) Officials shall work all contests without consuming alcoholic beverages on game day or being under the influence of drugs.
21) Officials shall write the yearly exam and fully pay up their NSBO dues, prior to or on the due date, to remain members in good standing.
22) Officials shall accept responsibility for all actions taken.
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CODE OF CONDUCT - SANCTIONS
Missed Games
- 1st game missed - warning, game fee charged according to local protocol
- 2nd game missed - same, up to maximum 2-week suspension
- 3rd game missed - same, up to maximum 3-week suspension
(Area Supervisors, ACAA Commissioner, and AUS Commissioners have Flexibility in Interpretation of Sanctions)
Lateness for Games
- 1st reported lateness - warning
- 2nd reported lateness - up to maximum 1-week suspension
- Subsequent reported lateness - up to maximum 3-week suspension
- Chronic lateness - up to maximum 1-week suspension
- Subsequent chronic lateness - up to maximum 3-week suspension
(Area Supervisors, ACAA Commissioner, and AUS Commissioners Responsible for Establishing Lateness Policies and have Flexibility in Interpretation of Sanctions)
CODE OF CONDUCT - REFERRAL TO SUPERVISOR OR COMMISSIONER FOR SANCTION
INCLUDES, BUT NOT LIMITED TO;
- Unprofessional Behavior
- Verbal Abuse
- Harassing the Assignor
- Conflict of Interests
- Working games not assigned by the Area Assignor or Commissioner
- Not filing ejection reports in a timely manner
- Not attending Area Meetings on a regular basis without explained absence
- Not being a Member in Good Standing
(Area Supervisors, ACAA Commissioner, and AUS Commissioners Responsible for Sanctions - maximum 3 weeks)
CODE OF CONDUCT - REFERRAL TO VICE-PRESIDENT FOR SANCTION
INCLUDES, BUT NOT LIMITED TO;
- Physical Abuse
- Unacceptable game performance which may result in a protest being upheld
- Not consulting Area Supervisor prior to speaking on behalf of NSBO
- Violation of NSBO e-mail clause
- Violation of NSBO Rules and Regulations
- Violations of Code of Conduct not already regulated by Area Supervisor, ACAA Commissioner, and AUS Commissioners
- Referrals directly involving the Area Supervisor or Commissioner
- Appeals of a decision by the Area Supervisor or Commissioner
(Vice-President/Discipline Committee Responsible for Sanctions)