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Ballina Players – Code of Conduct

INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

INTRODUCTION

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  1. Why we have a Code of Conduct
  2. What is the Code of Conduct
  3. What is required of you under the Code and where you can get information
  4. What processes and procedures are use to administer the Code

WHY DO WE HAVE A CODE OF CONDUCT?

The Code of Conduct exists because certain defined behaviours are necessary for Ballina Players to meet the Objects of its Constitution as well as fulfilling its community and legal responsibilities.

Most people know generally what is “right” but in a group such as ours it’s important to ensure we share the same ideas on what “right” looks like in a theatre; this shared sense of “right” makes it ‘common” sense.

WHAT IS THE CODE OF CONDUCT?

The Code of Conduct describes how members are expected to behave when involved in Ballina Players activities, the consequences of breaches of the Code and the procedures for managing breaches. To ensure that all members are able to meet the expected behaviours, new members will be provided with a copy of the Code on joining and all will have access on the website.

The Table on the following page provides a description of each of the Key Principles of behaviour embodied in the Code of Conduct.

What is required of me under the Code of Conduct?

Expected behaviours – SUMMARY

In the table below within each Principle is a brief “what it means”, accompanied by indicative examples of appropriate behaviours. Detailed behaviours for specific roles are available separately.

KEY Principle 
- What it means		 Indicative Examples

 

  OUTCOMES

 
Management and individual members will work towards the achievement of Ballina Players’ Objectives, as expressed in the Constitution, operational plans, processes and procedures. Outcomes include the following.

  • Value to audiences – quality of performance and quality of audience experience – “Best in Regional Theatre”.
  • Value to members – quality of theatrical/non-theatrical experience, skills development, social enjoyment, aware of and able to influence the direction and operations of Ballina Players.
  • Ballina Players operational effectiveness & efficiency.
  • Ballina Players image in the community.
 INDIVIDUALS

  • Give your best to a role, task or job
  • Make sure you know what’s required
  • Develop your skills; be willing to learn/to take advice; ask for development opportunities or assistance
  • Take on different aspects of theatre
  • Support others

 

MANAGEMENT

  • Provide good theatre and best value in choice of repertoire
  • Have customer friendly systems
  • Ensure effective operational methods
  • Ensure members have full opportunity to benefit from their membership
  • Provide member development opportunities – group and individual
  • Provide for members to be involved in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision-making

 

 

 

RESPONSIBILITY

 

 
This Principle refers to personal responsibility, where every member is responsible for:

  • their actions and decisions and the consequences;
  • asking when they are not sure or need assistance;
  • working towards being capable for whatever role or task they accept, and
  • the impact they have upon others 
 INDIVIDUALS

  • Be accountable for what you take on
  • Keep agreements
  • Co-operate to produce the best outcome
  • Treat others with courtesy and respect

 

MANAGEMENT

  • Plan and manage theatre performance
  • Report against outcomes achieved
  • Treat others with courtesy and respect

 

 

FAIRNESS

 

 

  • Decisions by those in authority will be objective, impartial, consistent.
  • Conflict of interest will be declared & managed.
  • Opportunity (including for development) will be afforded on merit, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, etc. 
 INDIVIDUALS

  • Resolve differences openly and honestly
  • Acknowledge the achievements of others

 

MANAGEMENT

  • Non-discrimination
  • Account for impact of decisions
  • Code of Conduct is in use

 

 

 

  LEGALITY, ETHICS, MORALITY

 

 
Behaviours and decisions will be within the law and in accordance with ethical and moral standards of our community 

 INDIVIDUALS

  • Act lawfully in your capacity as a member
  • Act in response to any breaches

 

MANAGEMENT

  • OH&S procedures in place
  • Working with children protocols applied

 

 

The Key Principles apply to all members in all situations. Additional profiles for certain roles provide further indicative role-specific examples. Roles covered: Management Committee-Team leaders-Front of House-Sub-Committees. Avail from Committee or website.


What processes and procedures are used to administer the Code

Some general principles

Any incident likely to risk the performance (in the broadest sense) of Ballina Players should be attended to. For example -

  • A minor skirmish between members that is likely to be forgiven and forgotten might not need attention;
  • A skirmish – major or minor – that might affect, say the ongoing operation of a production, should be fixed;
  • Any serious breach of law or morality and any involving intimidation, bullying, denigration, etc, must be reported.

The first line of response to any incident should be that good will and the interests of members and patrons prevail and problems be resolved spontaneously and locally.

What do I do if I breach the Code?

If you  breach the Code, e.g.  insult another member -

1)        fix it in whatever way is appropriate; seek help if needed;

2)       consider what you need to do to avoid this in future; seek help if needed.

Code of Conduct Incident Process
OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVEWhat’s expected of me if I see someone else breaching the Code?

What if I have a grievance against someone?

If I’m accused of breaching the Code, what are my options?

How does Ballina Players deal with breaches of the Code?

What if an incident is not my fault or is unintentional?

These questions are answered in a separate document – from the Committee or on the website

How does Ballina Players deal with breaches of the Code?

Throughout the process the Management Committee will act to achieve the best outcome for Ballina Players and for all parties concerned, in accordance with the Code of Conduct and the Constitution. 

1)        Member of the Management Committee notified.

2)       Management Committee or delegate (MC/d) decides if serious<or>not = written report <or>not = urgent intervention<or>not.

3)       (MC/d) investigates.

4)       (MC/d) actively supports self-resolution by complainant<or>pursues resolution with the aggrieved party and/or the breaching party – in accordance with Item 6 “Disciplining of Members” in the Constitution

5)       In the case of non-resolution the Management Committee will proceed according to Item 6 “Disciplining of Members” in the Constitution.

6)       A member has right to appeal according to the Constitution.

7)       While the process will be transparent to the party/parties involved, the right to privacy will be adhered to. Where required, the Management Committee will report to relevant statutory authorities, e.g. the Police.

ATTACHMENT 1.1  Code of conduct – Management Committe

Indicative behaviours

NOTE: The following behaviours are common examples only. The General Principles described in Member Code of Conduct provide the overriding descriptors of conduct.

OUTCOMES

I will

  • work towards the achievement of Ballina Players objectives as contained in the Constitution and current operational and strategic plans.
  • maintain the Code of Conduct and ensure distribution to members, directors, cast, crew and front of house workers and encourage them to follow it
  • uphold the professional image of Ballina Players and not act in any way that would prejudice the reputation of Ballina Players.
  • promote and practise a culture of recognition of the efforts and achievements of all members who contribute to the theatre.
  • provide opportunities for members to be involved in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision-making.
  • create pathways for members to participate in all areas of the theatre and provide the necessary training to assist them to gain the necessary skills.

 

 RESPONSIBILITY

I will

  • accept responsibility for my actions and decisions.
  • make difficult decisions or execute difficult actions where these are deemed to be in the best interests of Ballina Players
  • be a positive role model in behaviour and ensure my comments are positive and supportive

 

 FAIRNESS

I will

  • be impartial, consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions
  • avoid any situations which may lead to or be construed as a conflict of interest
  • respect the rights, dignity and worth of all people involved in the theatre, regardless of their gender, ability or cultural background

 

 LEGAL, ETHICAL, MORAL

I will

  • work towards maintaining a safe and healthy environment by implementing Occupational Health and Safety Principles.
  • not allow the unlawful supply of alcohol during productions and other functions.
  • be familiar with the role and obligations of the Committee under the Constitution and under the Act.

 

ATTACHMENT 1.2  Code of conduct – Team Leaders

A team leader is one who is responsible for directing the work of others; may be just for a production or the length of a project or may be for the year. Exam