SOUTH AFRICAN DEAF SPORTS FEDERATION

POLICIES

  1. INTRODUCTION

South African Deaf Sports Federation (SADSF) is a national controlling body of sports for the Deaf in South Africa and is made up of structured and constituted national sport codes and provincial federations as demarcated in terms of RSA Constitution Act no. 108 of 1996.

  1. MISSION STATEMENT

To be an effective and efficient democratic national organization which strives promote the development of sports for the Deaf in South Africa while fostering unity and discouraging discrimination based on race, gender or religion.

  1. POLICIES

The priority, as it stands, is to promote Good Governance and Sound Administration within the SADSF and its affiliates. In order to ensure that the objectives of the SADSF are achieved, the following policies should then be observed, respected and adhered to at all times:

3.1.Volunteer Policy

Professor Benjamin Gidron of Israel coined the following definition of a volunteer: A volunteer is a person who does a job of work that needs to be done without pay and of his own free will.

Within SADSF, volunteers are the people who established and run the organization from 1974 and the work of volunteers is continually going from strength to strength. This is due to the passion our people have for sport, most specifically Deaf sport. SADSF Executive Committee members, Sub Committee members, National Sports Council members, sport codes structural members, provincial sport federations members and Deaf schools sport teachers have and continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring that SADSF achieves its objectives and this was and is done on a voluntary basis, with no remuneration expectations.

Of serious note, is the fact that volunteers have raised and continue to raise funds for the SADSF and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

3.1.1.MANAGEMENT LEVEL

Members of the SADSF who serve on management positions carry the following duties:

  • Fund raising and management
  • Project creation, implementation and management
  • Policy formulation and lobbying
  • Development
  • Other specific tasks related to Deaf sports

Management, in other words, refer to the SADSF Executive Committee members, National Sport Council members, National Executive Committee members of all sport codes affiliated to SADSF and Provincial Executive Committee members of all provincial Deaf sport federations.

3.1.2.LEADERSHIP LEVEL

People who serve sport in official capacities such as team managers, coaches and captains are all referred to as leaders. These people have played and continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring excellence in teams performance. They lead at club, provincial and national level with commitment and the spirit of voluntarism, expecting no remuneration whatsoever for the excellent work they are doing.

3.1.3.ATHLETE LEVEL

Athletes are key role players within the SADSF. The organization is there because of athletes. In fact, SADSF cannot exist without them. Management and leadership structures are responsible for the identification and development of athletes. The core role of athletes is to represent their clubs, provinces and the country in sporting competitions, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, with no remuneration expectations, of course.

(A)EXPECTATIONS

As volunteers, it is expected that people should:

  • Identify themselves with the SADSF mission, objectives and modus operandi
  • Follow, conduct themselves in line with and respect the SADSF constitution
  • Strive to protect the image and integrity of the SADSF
  • Act loyally and with no financial interest in the SADSF
  • Be a team player

(B)EXPENSES

SADSF, Sport Codes or Provincial federations should be responsible for all traveling or other expenses incurred in the course of service rendering for the organization/s. When dealing with reimbursement, the following shall apply:

  • Relevant forms to be completed by the reimbursee
  • Receipt to be submitted to the reimburser/treasurer
  • Payments to be linked with/related to the official meetings/projects
  • Claims to be scrutinized and approved by the President/Chairperson before payment is made

Refer to Financial Policy for more details on reimbursements of claims.

(C)RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES

Recruitment of volunteers normally starts at provincial level where people are elected, selected or nominated into management, leadership or athlete level. At management level, people are voted in. At leadership/officiating level, people are nominated and at athlete level, people are selected.

(D)VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

There are benefits in working as a volunteer within the SADSF and its affiliates. Some of these benefits are henceforth mentioned below:

  • Mental and physical stimulation
  • Personal growth and enrichment
  • Getting an opportunity to showcase talent, experience and skill
  • Traveling and meeting different people
  • Establishing relationships and making new friends
  • Learning new things
  • Receiving acknowledgement and recognition
  • Updating Curriculum Vitae

(E)CONCLUSION

Volunteers in a management level are expected to sign Code of Conduct which details how they should conduct themselves within the SADSF or its affiliates. Acknowledging volunteers and praising the work they are doing helps them feel appreciated. Thus, it is imperative to show recognition of and support for volunteers. This can only help the organization to acquire more and more members at all levels. Show that you care!

3.2.Disciplinary Policy

SADSF as a national controlling body of sports for the Deaf in South Africa hereby undertakes to enforce the disciplinary procedures for the purpose of ensuring that unacceptable behaviours and conducts amongst its national council members, executive committee members, national and provincial executive committee members of its affiliates and athletes are corrected.

By accepting to serve in the management level of any of the SADSF structures, nationally and provincially, an individual is bound by the provision of the SADSF and affiliates constitutions and undertakes to comply with the rules and regulations as outlined in the constitution and policies of the SADSF or any of the affiliates as well as to protect the integrity and image of the organization he/she serves.

An athlete, on the other hand, is bound by the SADSF and/or affiliate’s constitution, rules and regulations by virtue of being an athlete. It is the duty of the affiliates to ensure that athletes are aware of the constitution, rules and regulations and the importance of adhering to the provision of these.

3.2.1.DESCRIPTION OF MISCONDUCT

A member of the SADSF Executive Committee, National Sports Council, National Executive or Provincial Executive committee member of the SADSF affiliates or athlete is suspended or expelled from the SADSF or its affiliates on the following grounds:

(a)Should he/she act in any manner which can be construed as being harmful, discriminatory or injurious to the members of the SADSF or its affiliates.

(b)Should a member acts in any way that brings SADSF, its affiliates or Deaf sport into disrepute.

(c)Should an affiliate engage in misconduct or has justifiably violated the principles enunciated in the mission and objectives of the SADSF, thereby brining SADSF or Deaf sport into disrepute.

3.2.2.DISCIPLINARY ACTION

(a)SADSF Executive Committee (Exco) members engaging in acts (a) and (b) of point 3.2.1 are suspended or expelled from the Exco without Disciplinary hearings. The reason hereto is that SADSF Exco members sign the Code of Conduct which they are then bound by the provision thereof. Refer to the Code of Conduct for more details on the provision of the Code.

(b)National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Sport Codes engaging in acts (a) and (b) of point 3.2.1 are suspended or expelled by the Sport Codes themselves without facing disciplinary hearings. The reason hereto is that when accepting to serve in the NEC of the specific sport code, they sign the Code of Conduct and thus are bound by the provisions thereof. Refer to the Code of Conduct for more details on the provision of the Code.

(c)Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) Members of the Provincial Deaf Sports Federations engaging in acts (a) and (b) of point 3.2.1 are suspended or expelled by the PEC themselves without disciplinary hearings. The reason thereto is that when accepting to serve in the PEC of the specific provincial sport federation, they sign the Code of Conduct and thus are bound by the provisions thereof. Refer to the Code of Conduct for more details on the provision of the Code.

(d)Athletes engaging in acts (a) and (b) of point 3.2.1 undergo disciplinary hearings before being suspended or expelled from the team they represent or sport code/s they participate in. However, should the misconduct be such that the athlete has engaged in deeds that are extremely detrimental to the name, image, integrity and work of the SADSF or its affiliate at a provincial and national level, SADSF or its affiliate shall then use its discretion regarding the action to be taken against the athlete and this includes suspending or expelling the athlete without disciplinary action whatsoever. The nature and severity of the misconduct shall be taken into account when the decision to suspend or expel the athlete without disciplinary action is made.

(e)Affiliated Members engaging in act (c) of point 3.2.1 are suspended or expelled by the NSC without disciplinary hearing and upon recommendation by the SADSF Exco.

(f)Period of suspension shall be determined by the organization suspending the member, taking into account the nature and severity of the misconduct. Reasons shall be stated clearly in writing when suspending or expelling the member from the organization.

3.2.3.APPEAL AGAINST SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION

Anyone suspended or expelled from any of the above structures of the SADSF have the right to appeal against the decision of the specific structure to suspend him/her if he/she feels that the suspension or expulsion is not fair and/or the punishment is not commensurate with the misconduct he/she is alleged to have committed.

(a)SADSF Exco members have a right to appeal against the decision to suspend or expel them from the Exco or the SADSF in writing to National Sports Council (NSC) through the SADSF Secretary within 7 days from the date of receipt of letter of suspension or expulsion, giving reasons for the appeal against the decision of the Exco. The NSC shall attempt to amicably resolve the impasse. Should the said member finds no joy in the decision of the NSC, such a member can then appeal in writing to South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) within 7 days from the date of receipt of the written decision of the NSC. The decision of SASCOC on the matter shall be final and binding.

(b)National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the National Sport Code has a right to appeal against the decision to suspend or expel him/her from the NEC or the organization in writing to the SADSF President within 7 days from the date of receipt of the letter of suspension or expulsion, giving reasons for the appeal against the decision. The matter shall then be discussed by the SADSF Exco who shall then attempt to amicably resolve the impasse. Should the said member finds no joy in the decision of the SADSF Exco, such a member can therefore appeal in writing to the NSC within 7 days of receipt of the SADSF Exco’s writtendecision. The Decision of the NSC on the matter shall be final and binding.

(c)Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member of the Provincial Sports Federation has a right to appeal against the decision to suspend or expel him/her from the PEC or the organization in writing to the SADSF President within 7 days from the date of receipt of the letter of suspension or expulsion, giving reasons for the appeal against the decision. The matter shall then be discussed by the SADSF Exco who shall then attempt to amicably resolve the impasse. Should the said member finds no joy in the decision of the SADSF Exco, such a member can therefore appeal in writing to the NSC within 7 days of receipt of the SADSF Exco’s written decision. The decision of the NSC on the matter shall be final and binding.

(d)An athlete has a right to appeal against the decision to suspend or expel him\her from representing the team in the sport code he/she participate within 7 days of receipt of the letter of suspension. Channels of appeals for the athlete are as follow:

  • To the Chairperson of provincial sport federation, if the misconduct occurred at a club level.
  • To the Chairperson of the national sport code, if the misconduct occurred at provincial level.
  • To the SADSF President, if the misconduct occurred at national level.
  • To SASCOC, if the affected athlete finds no joy in all the 3 structures mentioned above. The decision of SASCOC in the matter shall be final and binding.

(e)Affiliated members have a right to appeal against the suspension. Such an appeal shall be lodged within 7 days of receipt of suspension letter from the SADSF. An appeal shall be lodged with the NSC and such an appeal shall state clearly the reasons for the appeal against the decision. Should a suspended affiliated member finds no joy in the decision of the NSC, another appeal shall be lodged with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) whose decision shall be final and binding. AGM is the highest decision-making body within the SADSF and the only one that approves applications for affiliation. Ipso fact, AGM has the final say in the termination of affiliated members.

3.2.4.CONCLUSION

The Disciplinary policy is derived from and linked with the Code of Conduct that has been signed by all leaders in SADSF structures. Thus, when dealing with any misconduct within the structure, it is imperative to always refer to the Code of Conduct. SADSF deserves to look good within the sport community provincially, nationally and internationally. However, this can only be achieved if misconducts are dealt with professionally, efficiently and effectively.

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