Code of Conduct

Club Code of Conduct

Purpose and Range

Engaging in youth activities should happen in a welcoming, supportive, inclusive and safe environment. To implement this, it is necessary that young people are informed of the boundaries regarding their behaviour while they are participating in an Ógras club or activity. It is also very important that respect and courtesy is illustrated to the club leaders, acknowledging their role as organiser and facilitator in the running of the club.

This Code of Conduct is an initiatory guideline to leaders, while they are preparing rules and a code of conduct/discipline specifically for their own club.

It is recommended that a code is developed with the input of members and young leaders to be certain that all members have been considered in the process. This will ensure that all members support the implementation of the code and that they take responsibility in completing the code’s objectives.

Ógras Camp and Event Rules / Guidelines

To make sure that all young people benefit from the club and that everyone feels safe in participating in club events, the following guidelines should be obeyed:

Irish should always be spoken throughout club activities.
Actively participate and have an input in club activities to the best of your abilities.
Always be kind and show respect to others in the club, regardless of cultural background, ability, gender or ethnicity.
You must respect the club’s property and other club members’ property, as well as looking after your own property.
Do not take part in any sort of bullying at any time.
Inform the leaders if you notice any form of bullying from other members.
Be well behaved, balanced and show respect when you are engaging with other members and with the leaders. Consider other people’s feelings in what you do and what you say.
Report any behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable to your leader or to a designated person.
Always Follow Ógras rules and guidelines.
Remain in the room / hall that the club takes place in and do not leave without permission or alone.
Mobile phones shouldn’t be used during club activities without a leader’s permission.
Do not take pictures or recordings of anyone in the club without the leader’s permission and under the leader’s supervision (see our Internet Policy and our Bullying Policy).
Any form of sexual activity is strictly prohibited at Ógras eventsi.
Avoid behaviour that would put anyone in the club in danger.
Avoid abuse, bad language and disparaging remarks.
Pay attention to litter and the cleanliness of the hall. Five minutes should be set aside at the end of each session to clean up.
Food and drink are not permitted in the club unless permission is received from the owners of the hall / site.
The use, possession or consumption of Alcohol, Tobacco, Vapes, Nicotine or any form of illegal drugs is prohibited at Ógras events/clubs.

Organisation rules regarding overnight trips:

Enjoy your trip and your company over the weekend.
Always speak Irish.
You are not allowed to enter any room except the one allocated to you by Ógras staff/leaders – if for any reason you wish or need to change rooms you must get permission from Ógras staff/leaders beforehand.
Food or drink are not allowed into bedrooms- with the exception of a bottle of water.
Rooms must be cleaned and bed sheets must be removed before you depart.
You must show consideration for fellow guests, and should be quiet in the bedrooms and not disturb anyone.
Talking/chatting must be kept to a minimum after ‘Lights Out’.
Do not leave your towels or toiletries behind in the shower or the bathroom.
Respect the hostel, yourself and the people that are sharing the hostel with you.
Where supplied, keep key cards safe. A fee will have to be paid to the hostel if you misplace the key card.
Mobile phones will be collected by leaders at bedtime and returned to owners at breakfast time.

Organisation rules regarding day trips:

Always speak Irish.
All members and leaders are required to wear seat belts when travelling on a bus
Food or drink are not allowed on the bus other than water
Do not do anything to distract the bus driver or anyone else on the bus
Respect the venue, yourself and other people on the trip with you
Follow the leaders’ rules
Do not leave rubbish on the bus or at the venue
Do not interfere with anything that doesn’t belong to you
Do not leave the group without a leader’s permission

How violations of this code of conduct are handled.

Below is a list of ways that violations are dealt with by Ógras leaders and staff:

An apology
Loss of privileges
Inform parents
Temporary or permanent expulsion of the member from the activity / camp.

When an incident occurs, a decision is made on the consequence, depending on the seriousness of the situation.

Examples of unsuitable behaviour:

Not following the guidelines
Disruptive behaviour
Speaking English in the club
Lack of respect/bad behaviour
Talking back

How unsuitable behaviour is dealt with during club activities:

The first time an incident occurs the member gets a verbal warning, and must apologise to the leaders / members concerned.
If an incident occurs a second time, their name goes into the accidents / incidents book and the member will have to sit out of the event/game
When the rules are broken three times – parents are contacted
When the rules are broken four times – club member is expelled

In serious cases a member may be expelled instantly from the camp, but parents must be contacted immediately.

2. Examples of serious misbehaviour where a leader may use the harshest sanctions:

Fighting and Violence
Bullying
Disrespecting others because of their gender, background, culture, ability, or their ethnicity
Showing a leader disrespect
Damage to the club / hall / school property or equipment
Drinking alcohol
Smoking, Vaping or using any form of Nicotine
Misuse of substances

How unsuitable behaviour is dealt with during residential activities:

A member of Ógras staff will speak to the young person and go through the rules with them again.
If the unsuitable behaviour continues, a member of Ógras staff will contact the parents and ask them to speak to the young person and request that they improve their behaviour.
If the misbehaviour persists the parents will be contacted again and asked to make arrangements to collect the member in question.
In the event of serious misbehaviour, the parents will be contacted and asked to make arrangements to collect the young person immediately.