The following Policies were adopted by the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation in order to help protect the Health & Wellbeing of participants in the sport of Coastal Rowing in Ireland.

    In order to ensure ‘Best Practice’ at all times, these policies should be considered to be Live Documents which means they may be subject to revision at any time.

    B.1    Policy on Young People who Participate in our Sport

    In the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Ltd. our first priority is the welfare of Young People and we are committed to providing an environment which will allow all participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from bullying and intimidation. The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Ltd. is required to amend its Child Protection Policies so that it shall be in compliance with the National Laws of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and the European Union.

    Given the Nature of Coastal Rowing and the inherent dangers associated with all Water Sports, the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Ltd. is committed to providing the Safest Possible Environment for all of our members and participants so that they may enjoy their sport, devoid of all unnecessary risks. No member or participant should ever be put in a situation of danger and all precautions necessary should be taken to protect our members and participants from all forms of harm.

    B.2    Policy on the Wellbeing of Participants in our Sport

    The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Ltd. is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of its members. Every individual in the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Ltd, its affiliated Associations and Clubs should at all times, show respect and understanding for members rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation and the guidelines contained in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport.

    B.3    Anti – Doping Policy

    Irish Coastal Rowing Federation supports the ‘Anti-Doping in Sport’ policies of the Irish and Northern Irish governments and in keeping with that support, prohibits the use of all performance enhancing drugs and supplements which are proscribed and recognised as such by the relevant national statuary Sports Councils and National Olympic Committees governing both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

    The Anti-Doping Panel of the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation shall consist of the Federation Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Safety Officer and/or any other such Officers as may be deemed appropriate at the AGM or other forum. They are responsible for overseeing and implementing the Federation’s Anti-Doping Policy.

    B.4    Policy of Non-Discrimination

    It is the policy of the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Ltd. that it does not and will not discriminate against any person or group on the grounds of:

    Non-Discrimination

        • Gender, or
        • Civil or Family Status, or
        • Age, or
        • Disability, or
        • Race, Ethnicity, or National Origin, or
        • Sexual Orientation, or
        • Religious or Political Beliefs, or
        • Membership of the Traveller Community.

    Equal Opportunities

    The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Ltd. is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities for everybody and does not and will not discriminate on any of the above grounds in the terms of:

        • Participation in Coastal Rowing,
        • Membership of the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation and/or its Affiliates,
        • Affiliation to the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Ltd. and/or its Affiliates,
        • Appointment to Office within the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation and/or its Affiliates.
        • Opportunities to participate in Volunteering Positions

    B.5    Social Media Policy

    Social networking and social media are powerful communication tools which can have a significant impact on organisational and professional reputations. The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation has developed a policy to help clarify how best to use these tools to the benefit of Coastal Rowing. Examples of social networking websites are Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.

    Everyone involved in Coastal Rowing needs to follow the same behavioural standards online as they would in real life. The same laws and expectations for interacting with others apply online as in the real world. This document has been put together to help, educate and guide those involved in Coastal Rowing who use social media in an official or unofficial capacity.

    These guidelines will evolve over time as new technology and platforms emerge. They currently deal with the social media world as it is today and keep a few basic aims for the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation in mind.

    The aims of the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Social Media Policy are as follows:

      • To promote the sport of Coastal Rowing through positive online discussion.
      • To protect the reputation of all affiliated clubs, associations and the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation and of the sport of Coastal Rowing.

    The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation will continue to encourage online discussion of coastal rowing. In doing so, we must take into account some key challenges:

      • When members share opinions online, they may reflect positively or negatively on the Federation and on Coastal Rowing.
      • Individuals or groups inside and outside the Coastal Rowing community may use social media to challenge the Federation’s rules and its reputation.
      • The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation will defend its position in such circumstances.

    The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Social Media Policy will allow our officials and members to develop a positive presence online, enhancing the experience and enjoyment for everyone’s benefit whilst also raising the profile of Coastal Rowing nationally. These guidelines include advice on how Associations & Rowing Clubs should manage their reputations online. The whole area of social media is an exciting one for the Coastal Rowing community which we should embrace.

    Coastal Rowing’s online presence is made up of the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation, Associations & Clubs operating websites and social media channels. We want to ensure that a common set of guidelines and policies are in place so that we are all working for the benefit of Coastal Rowing.

    Guidelines – When Officially Representing your Club, Association or the ICRF.

    The following principles will help guide our members who represent their Club, Association or the ICRF in an online, official capacity when speaking on behalf of their Club, Association or the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation.

    Be Courteous

    Approach online communities using sound judgment and common sense. Adhere to your club, association and the ICRF’S constitution & rules, as well as other applicable policies.

    Be Transparent

    Make it clear that you volunteer for your Club or Association. Your honesty will be noted in social media environments. If you are writing about your Club or Association, use your real name, identify your position within the Club or Association and be clear about your role.

    If you have a vested interest in what you are discussing, be the first to say so.

    You should neither claim nor imply that you are speaking on behalf of the Club, Association or Federation.

    Confidential Information

    Posting on the internet do not disclose any information that is confidential or proprietary to your club, association or the Federation or confidential to any third party that has disclosed information to your club, association or the Federation.

    When in doubt, do not post. You are personally responsible for your words and actions online.

    You must ensure that your posts are completely accurate and not misleading.

    Be Respectful

    When you are representing your club, association or the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation in an official capacity, you should be respectful of all individuals, races, religions and cultures. How you conduct yourself online not only reflects on you – it also reflects directly on the Coastal Rowing community.

    When disagreeing with the opinions of others online, keep it appropriate and polite. If you find yourself in a situation that might become antagonistic, do not get defensive or disengage from the conversation abruptly. It is also important not to respond in the heat of the moment, in a way you may regret later. Feel free to seek advice or disengage from the dialogue in a polite manner.

    Be Honest

    Stick to your area of expertise and feel free to provide your unique perspective on non-confidential activities of Coastal Rowing.

    Keep in mind that you won’t always know all the answers. Don’t be afraid to seek help and advice from others who may be better informed than you.

    Use of Imagery

    Internet postings should not include Club, Association or ICRF logos without permission.

    Please respect brand, trademark, and copyrighted information and imagery. Do not post photos of others without their permission.

    Consult the ICRF Code of Ethics and Good Practice in Irish Coastal Rowing for Children for guidelines on the use of Photographic and Mobile Equipment.

    Respect the Law

    Internet postings must respect copyright, privacy, fair use, financial disclosure and other applicable laws.

    Dealing with Mistakes

    Correct any mistake immediately and make it clear what you’ve done to fix it.

    If it is a major mistake, let your PRO, Secretary or Chairperson know immediately so appropriate action can be taken to minimise the impact.

    The ICRF reserves the right to withdraw certain posts and to remove inappropriate comments that appear on ICRF Social Media platforms & will inform the Club and Association of the member’s negative action.

    Guidelines – When Using Social Media Personally

    The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation respects your right to use these media platforms in a personal capacity, but we would ask that you remember the implications of referring to the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation when you do.

    Recognise when the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation might be held responsible for your behaviour online, and follow these principles when you are using social media channels as a private individual.

        1. Adhere to your club, association or the ICRF Constitution and Rules when online.
        2. You are responsible for your actions but remember that those actions may have consequences for your club, association or the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation. You have a responsibility when using social media platforms to not do anything online that might tarnish your club, association or the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation’s image and reputation or bring Coastal Rowing into disrepute.
        3. If you see negative posts about your club, association or the ICRF, or see non-members trying to spark a negative conversation, avoid the temptation to react, unless you are an official spokesperson for your club, association or the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation.
        4. Do not mix your official club, association or Federation role with your personal life online. Not everyone will be able to make the distinction between the two. Whilst the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation respects freedom of speech, remember that all online users can see everything you post. Use your judgement and common sense.
        5. Never disclose non-public information regarding your club, association or the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation, including confidential information.
        6. Remember that it may cause conflict if you take a position online that is counter to your club, association or the ICRF’s interests, policies, constitution and rules.

    Disclaimers

    Protecting Against Libel and Legal Liability

    Where people leave comments on forums on websites or social media channels, it is necessary to post a disclaimer. This is a precaution to protect the Club, Association or the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation so that it is not legally liable for those comments. Here is a good example of a disclaimer:

    “The [insert name of your club] does not accept any responsibility for the opinions expressed on this forum, which are those of the individuals expressing them, and do not necessarily represent the views of [insert name of your club].”

    When you post on such forums, make it clear that you are posting in a personal capacity, unless you are officially representing your Club, Association or the Federation in your post (in which case you should specify your role).

    Protecting Young People Online

    Many social networking sites attract teenagers and younger children. When we operate on a social media channel used by young people, including children, we must ensure that the site is suitable for a family audience. This includes content that our users post on the site, and articles we post. If we link to outside sites, we must be sure those sites are also suitable for our audience. The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation takes the welfare of young people extremely seriously. Consult the ICRF Code of Ethics and Good Practice in Irish Coastal Rowing for Children.

    Breaches of the ICRF Social Media Policy

    When a breach of the Social Media Policy occurs, the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation will inform the offenders Club and Association of the following:

      • Type of offence
      • The platform or forum it occurred on
      • The date it occurred

    The club is responsible for ensuring that the inappropriate material is removed from the internet and that the member is informed of their breach of the Social Media Policy. If, in the opinion of the ICRF, the member’s  club does not deal satisfactorily with the situation the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation reserves the right to impose a fine or sanction on the member involved and/or the member’s club. Both the member and the member’s club have the right to make a written appeal to the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation within 2 weeks of the imposition of a fine or sanction. The appeal will be heard at the next Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Delegates Meeting.

    B.6    Vetting Policies & Procedures

    Click Here to go to Vetting Policies & Procedures