Governance - Scottish Rowing

Governance

The Executive Member (Governance) has responsibility for these matters. Currently this is Tom Hewitt.
If you have any issues relating to child protection matters please Robin Collings.

	Corporate Governance

	What's new since the last update on 19th October 2010? 2011 AGM changes Discipline & Appeals Procedure Changes. Scottish Rowing Is the Governing Body of the Sport in Scotland. It is a company limited by guarantee with executive responsibility entrusted to the Board. Its operation is governed by the Companies Act of 2006 and by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and its Operating Practices Document. At the AGM on 2nd October, the Articles and the Operating Practices were updated. In line with recommendations from January's Club Conference the Directors' responsibilities were updated in the Articles. Safety policy - in particular the introduction of a mandatory Club Safety Audit - was introduced to the Operating Practices, as was Scottish Rowing policy on displaying sponsor advertising. Data Protection Scottish Rowing is fully committed to the principles enshrined in the Data Protection Act of 1998. These are reflected in its Data Protection Policy which has recently been updated (October 2010). Guidance has been obtained on privacy notices to be included in any forms used for gathering 'personal' information - ie information from which an individual could be identified, directly or indirectly. These state the uses to which personal data will be put; Scottish Rowing will not use these data for any other purposes. Privacy notices for use in a club context have been distributed to club contacts. Useful Downloads Memorandum of Association Articles of Association (revised October 2011) Operating Practices document (revised October 2011) Data Protection Policy Discipline & Appeals Procedure for Participants (including Scotland Team Selection Appeals)

	Safeguarding

	Scottish Rowing's Child Protection Officer is Robin Collings. Contact details are on the left and also on the contacts page. What's New? Since Previous Update on 1 July 2011? New CRBS Guides to completing PVGS Application Forms. About the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme In setting up this Scheme, minimising bureaucracy has been a priority and the new arrangements make matters much simpler. Of particular importance are the definitions of 'regulated work' for which Scheme membership is recommended, and other 'work' with children or protected adults for which membership is not required. A new concept is the 'principle of incidentallity' which exempts clubs from requiring Scheme membership for work with children or protected adults when their presence at the club is 'incidental' - ie they have not been targeted in any way and form only a small minority of the participants; this particularly affects our University clubs which are intended as organisations for adults but may have the occasional under-18. Your Board member has produced a short Guide (4 pages) which has been distributed to club contacts. Also available on request are Scottish Government guides to the PVG Scheme (136 pages) and to Child Protection in Scotland (draft for consultation purposes - 159 pages). Scottish Rowing will organise Scheme membership applications, disclosures and updates for those clubs who currently work through us. Clubs registered with CRBS must contact them to request a supply of PVGS application forms which are rather limited in availability. The new forms ask some new questions. B83 to 87 require particular care and require reference to the Guidance Notes before completion. Safeguarding in Sport Materials The Safeguarding in Sport service has sent to Scottish governing bodies a DVD presenting case studies (using child actors) of child 'abuse' in a sporting context. This is being copied and distributed to clubs. All club managers and coaches are encouraged to view the DVD. Scottish Rowing Policy In October 2009 your Board has reviewed the Scottish Rowing Child Protection Policy. The main changes are a simplification of the policy on photographing children (page 14) and an insertion at the request of Children 1st (on page 16) of material on communicating with children by means of mobile phones. Photography Scottish Rowing supports the principle of photographers working at regattas and other events applying for accreditation. This is, of course, impossible to enforce. However, a few of our regulars have now gone through this process and have ID badges which should be visible when they are operating. If you too think you ought to be participating in this scheme, please download the application form, complete it and return it to Tom Hewitt at the address on the form along with the other bits and pieces requested. Are Your Coaches OK to Work with Under-18s? It is a criminal offence for anyone whose name is on the Barred from Working with Children List to carry out 'regulated work' with under-18s. It is also a criminal offence for an organisation to 'employ' such a person to do regulated work. The only way to find out if a person is Listed is via a Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVGS) Membership Record application. Coaches already checked via the old PoCSA scheme need not rush to apply for PVGS membership. Disclosure Scotland will tell us when we can 'refresh' our existing coaches; they have a plan, which may involve a wait of up to 4 years, so that the Scheme administration will not be overloaded. Clubs which are already registered with the Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS) can continue to organise checks for themselves via CRBS and the PVGS. Those not so registered can do so via Scottish Rowing's Child Protection Officer. Registering with CRBS is very straightforward. It is free, as is PVGS Membership for volunteers when requested via CRBS. All clubs with a substantial junior presence ought to be pursuing this option. Coaches and others working with under-18s for Scottish Rowing need to have an up-to-date PVGS Membership Record organised either by Scottish Rowing or by their clubs. In the latter case the Scottish Rowing Child Protection Officer will require to see their Scheme Membership Records. Existing Disclosures organised by Scottish Rowing will continue to be valid until we are instructed to transfer all coaches to the PVGS.. Training for Coaches and Child Protection Officers is offered by CRBS, Children 1st, and sportscotland / sportscoachUK. Locations countrywide are used. We strongly recommend that all coaches working with under-18s attend a Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop and all child protection officers attend an In Safe Hands workshop. Resources: From Scottish Government PVG Scheme Leaflet From Scottish Rowing Child Protection Policy (updated October 2009) Appendices to CPP Disclosure Handling, etc Policy (updated January 2009) Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy (updated February 2009) Code of Conduct (updated January 2009) Code of Conduct for Coaches (updated January 2009) Photography Accreditation Form (updated May 2011) SR Guide to the PVG Scheme (updated October 2010) PVG Scheme Membership - Children Checklist - Rowing Coach PVG Scheme Membership - Children Checklist - Coach Line Manager From CRBS the following resources (among others) are available. Sample Child Protection Policy Sample Disclosure Handling Policy Sample Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy PVGS Application Form for New Members PVGS Application Form for an Update on an Existing Member From Children 1st the following resources (among others) are available. Stay Safe & Have Fun in Sport Poster Various guides - including the Participation Toolkit Sport team's quarterly Newsletter Contact Information CRBS, www.crbs.org.uk , 01786 849777 Children 1st, www.children1st.org.uk, 0131 446 2300 (local numbers on web site) Child Protection in Sport Service, www.childprotectioninsport.org.uk, 0141 418 5674 Sportscotland, www.sportscotland.org.uk, 0131 317 7200 sportscoachUK, www.sportscoach.org, 0113 274 4802 Scottish Rowing, governance@scottish-rowing.org.uk, 01698 458480

	Equity

	What's New Since Previous Update on 29th September 2011 Junior Coaching Days What is Equity? Equity in sport is about making things fair. To quote our Equity Policy, "... equality of opportunity of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It involves changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure that it becomes equally accessible to all members of society." Our President, Mike Morrice says, "Scottish Rowing is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its operations. In doing so we must accept that this is about fairness in sport and giving equal access to everyone in society and also giving them the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse. It is also important for everyone in Scottish Rowing to be responsible for opposing discriminatory behaviour and promoting equality of opportunity. If all the clubs, athletes and volunteers commit to this policy then it can only strengthen Scottish Rowing and help grow the sport." The Scottish Rowing Equity Policy is a statement of the principles which we will endeavour to apply. The work of Scottish Rowing achieving the Foundation Level in Equity is now complete. That means that we have objectively measured our current condition with respect to making rowing in Scotland as inclusive as possible. Our next step is to draw up an Action Plan for implementing the recommendations made in the Report, which should improve our accessibility on a number of fronts. Achieving equity is an ongoing process. A review of all Scottish Rowing policies will be undertaken over time to ensure that actual and potential rowers are not treated unfairly. Adaptive Boats For some time now Scottish Rowing has owned and adaptive single scull and an adaptive double. Until recently they were located at Loch Lomond RC but have now been brought back to the Scottish Rowing Centre at Strathclyde Park. Adaptive boats are fixed-seat craft but sliding-seat kit has been purchased to enable them to be used as recreational boats also. These boats are available for individual rowers to use at the Park (please give Facility Manager, John Blair, reasonable notice so that any necessary conversion work can be carried out), or for clubs to hire for use at their home bases. Junior Coaching Days During October, SR High Performance Coach Sean Leyland led two very successful Coaching Days for Junior athletes at the Scottish Rowing Centre in Strathclyde Park. More will follow; see the SR Performance Plan for dates. Veteran Rowers The 2012 FISA World Masters Regatta will take place at Duisburg, Germany from Thursday 6th until Sunday 9th September. Direct, daily flights (Ryanair) can be taken from Edinburgh to Dusseldorf which is but a short distance away. Les and Margaret Johnston will organise Scottish Masters kit for participants. As yet, however, we do not have a boat transport team. Any volunteers? I'm sure Iain Wilson and Steven Kerr will be happy to provide guidance. In 2013, the event moves to Varese in northern Italy (just to the east of the southern end of Lake Maggiore). Ryanair flies direct from Glasgow (Prestwick) to Bergamo. Meanwhile, Scottish Rowing Centre Manager, John Blair, is offering a series of veteran coaching days at Strathclyde Park. These sessions are open to all veteran (rowing age 27+) rowers and not just potential Masters competitors. The first Coaching Day was held on Saturday 22nd October. Further dates will be announced when plans firm up. The crews which participated can vouch for the quality of the experience. This information - and more, as it emerges - can be found on a (nearly) new web site dedicated to Scottish Veteran and Masters matters. Link below. House Style Scottish Rowing has adopted a house style for its internal documentation. There are 3 objectives to doing so. 1. To produce a consistent standard of presentation in all documentation. 2. To enhance the impression of professionalism within the organisation in the minds of outsiders into whose hands our documents may pass. 3. By adopting RNIB guidelines make our documentation more accessible to those with reading difficulties and thus make our sport a little more inclusive. Clubs may well feel that they too could benefit from a adopting their own house styles. Links and Downloads Scottish Rowing Equity Policy Documentation House Style Details Email John Blair about adaptive boats Web Site for Scottish Veteran and Master Rowers

	Rules of Racing

	Changes Since Last Update on 24 March 2011 2011 WADA List of banned performance-enhancing substance is available for download below. Queries on Rules of Racing The Scottish Rowing resident expert on these matters is Sandy Walker. If you want to ask any questions please call him on 01389 841782. Sandy is Convener of the Racing Control Committee and the Umpires Commission. Rowing South of the Border All boats competing, racing or trialling in England need to carry Tideway-style registration marks. Environment Agency Boat Licences are required for all rowing craft used on EA maintained waters - ie the upper Thames, the Medway and Anglian Waterways. This has resulted from a change in the law in 2010. Boats visiting these waters for a regatta will either require the purchase of a day ticket direct from the EA. Some regattas include the cost of this in their entry fees and take care of it for visiting competitors. Scottish clubs intending to compete on EA waterways will need to check with the regatta organiser to make sure of their status and contact BR or the EA if necessary. Clubs using any of these waterways for training camps require licences and may purchase them from British Rowing. Full information about this matter can be downloaded via the link below. This information has already been sent to Scottish Rowing member clubs. In England and Wales the intermediate category definitions have changed. For more information visit www.britishrowing.org. Regatta Organisers An important resource for all regatta organisers is the Scottish Rowing Regatta Manual which has been updated as a result of changes to the Rules of Racing and the Water Safety Code. Please contact Sandy if you require a copy. Anti-Doping Measures As the GB rowing team manager, British Rowing handles all anti-doping procedures within Great Britain. Copies of the latest rules and a covering letter have been sent to all clubs. The 2011 WADA List of banned substances is available for download below. Useful Links and Downloads Scottish Rowing Rules of Racing Guidance on recent developments SR Racing Control Policy SR Umpiring Policy Tideway Boat Registration information Environment Agency Boat Licences Anti-Doping Rules and Covering Letter 2011 WADA List of Banned Substances 2011 Racing Calendar

	Safety

	Scottish Rowing's Safety Officer is Tom Hewitt. Contact details are on the left and also on the contacts page. Changes since last update on 10 October 2011 New Scottish Rowing Centre Water Safety Guidelines to be observed by all rowers at Strathclyde Park. Boat Transportation Recent guidance to traffic police has been issued following consultations between the ARA and the Association of Chief Police Officers with respect to loading and marking boats to be transported. It would be a good idea to carry a copy with you when transporting boats because not all traffic police will be aware of the exemptions the Construction & Use Regulations give to "racing boats propelled solely by oars." The British Rowing Trailer Driver's Handbook is also a useful resource to carry. Make sure you have an appropriate driving licence for the vehicle and trailer combination which you intend to tow. This is particularly important for drivers who passed their test after 1st January 1997 as they are extremely limited as to what they can do. A seminar on boat transportation was held on Saturday 24th April 2010 in the Scottish Rowing Centre at Strathclyde Park. Steven Kerr's presentation 'slides' are now available. The file for this package is too large to email or set up as a download. Anyone wishing a copy should contact Jo Ramsay at the Scottish Rowing Centre and arrange for a copy to be made. Scottish Rowing Water Safety Code and Guidelines The SR AGM in October 2011 changed added a new item 8 to the Water Safety Code introducing mandatory Club Safety Audits. These require to be completed during November or December each year and submitted by 1st January. Any club failing to do so will be suspended from participating in regattas run under Scottish Rowing Rules until the completed Audit is received. Independent Review of Open Water and Flood Rescue in Scotland was published on 7th December. Rowing Away from Home? Make sure you find out the local rules before you boat. Other useful Links and Downloads are: Guidance on Boat Transport DVLA Licensing Booklet Trailer Towing Safety Document BR/ARA Trailer Driver's Handbook Water Safety Code and Guidelines (October 2011) Incident Report Form Water Safety Guidelines for Rowers at Strathclyde Park (December 2011) Clyde Local Rules Open Water Rescue Review Safety Audit Form

	Other Policies

	You might also be interested in: Anti-Fraud Policy Communications Plan Conflict of Interest Policy Data Protection Policy Disciplinary Procedures Reserves Policy Appeals Procedure