NSBO CODE OF CONDUCT

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. 

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It is the responsibility of all NSBO members to familiarize themselves with the Code of Conduct so that their behaviour, both on and off the basketball court, will withstand the highest scrutiny and accountability during the performance of their duties.

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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 nonverbal.  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 honour 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, favours, 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 officiate any games or scrimmages, whether paid or not, that are not assigned by an approved NSBO Assignor.  Failure to follow the above regulation is a violation of the Code of Conduct, and members will be suspended indefinitely and referred to the Discipline Committee for further sanction.  

9. Officials shall not harass the Assignor in any way, particularly to benefit themselves in terms of the number or level of games they receive. 

10. Officials shall make every effort possible to attend area meetings or make non-attendance known. 

11. 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. 

12. 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. 

13. 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.  

14. Officials shall abide by all sections of the NSBO Operational Guidelines and Rules and    Regulations, and the mandate set forth in those sections. 

15. Officials shall bear a great responsibility for engendering public confidence in sports.   

16. Officials shall be free of obligation to any interest other than the impartial and fair judging of sports competitions. 

17. 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. 

18. Officials shall resist every temptation and outside pressure to use one’s position as an official to benefit oneself. 

19. 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.  

20. Officials shall not make false or misleading statements regarding their qualifications, rating, credentials, experience, training or competence. 

21. Officials shall work all contests without consuming alcoholic beverages on game day or being under the influence of drugs. 

22. 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. 

23. Officials shall accept responsibility for all actions taken. 

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Code of Conduct - Sanctions

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Missed Games - Any member who misses an accepted game shall be sanctioned as follows:

• 1st incident – game fee fine for every game in incident, charged according to NSBO rates along with a verbal/written warning

• 2nd incident – game fee fine for every game in incident, charged according to NSBO rates and a seven (7) day suspension

• 3rd incident – game fee fine for every game in incident, charged according to NSBO rates and a twenty-one (21) day suspension

• 4th and any subsequent incident – suspension for the remainder of the season

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Lateness for Games - Any member who is late for an accepted game shall be sanctioned as follows:

• 1st reported lateness - warning 

• 2nd reported lateness – seven (7) day suspension  

• 3rd reported lateness – twenty-one (21) day suspension 

• 4th reported lateness – suspension for the remainder of the season 

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Notes: 

• All disciplinary action will be upheld in all areas of the province and by all NSBO Assignors.  

• Area Supervisors, ACAA Commissioner and AUS Commissioner are responsible for establishing lateness and missed game policies and have flexibility in interpretation of all sanctions.

• Area Supervisors, ACAA Commissioner and AUS Commissioner have flexibility in interpretation of sanctions.​

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Code of Conduct – Referral to Supervisor or Commissioner for Sanction

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Includes, but not limited to: 

1. Unprofessional Behaviour 

2. Verbal Abuse 

3. Harassing the Assignor 

4. Conflict of Interests 

5. Officiating of games or scrimmages not assigned by an approved NSBO Assignor

6. Not filing ejection reports in a timely manner 

7. Not attending area meetings on a regular basis without explained absence 

8. Not being a member in good standing 

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Note:  Area Supervisors, ACAA Commissioner, and AUS Commissioner are responsible for sanctions. ​

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Code of Conduct – Referral to Vice-President for Sanction

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Includes, but not limited to:

1. Physical Abuse

2. Unacceptable game performance which may result in a protest being upheld  

3. Not consulting Area Supervisor prior to speaking on behalf of NSBO  

4. Violation of NSBO e-mail clause  

5. Violation of NSBO Rules and Regulations 

6. Violations of Code of Conduct not already regulated by Area Supervisor, ACAA and AUS Commissioner

7. Referrals directly involving the Area Supervisor or Commissioners 

8. Appeals of a decision by the Area Supervisor or Commissioners

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Note:  Vice-President/Discipline Committee responsible for sanctions.