studentlawassociation.files.wordpress.com · Web viewAny behaviour or act by the Executive...

SLA Behaviour and Conduct Bylaw P a g e | 1

Student Law Association (SLA) – Behaviour and Conduct BylawARTICLE I – PURPOSEThe purpose of this Behaviour and Conduct bylaw is to act as a supplementary guide to the Student Law Association Constitution. This Behaviour and Conduct bylaw applies to all Executives, Junior Executive Officers, and any acting Student Representatives (such as volunteers, brand ambassadors, Chief Elections officer, etc.).

ARTICLE II – ENACTING DOCUMENTAs per Article IX – Acceptance of Constitution and Bylaws within the SLA Constitution, the By-laws created by the Student Law Association Executive shall be inherently accepted and the Executive shall adhere to all the terms included with subsequent by-laws created by the Club.

If a conflict between the SLA Constitution and the By-law exists, the Constitutional phrasing shall triumph, under normative interpretation.

ARTICLE III – REPRESENTATIVESSection I. Who is Considered a Representative?A representative is anyone whether it is student, faculty, staff, or an alumnus who represents the Student Law Association in any leading manner. The leading manner may include, but not limited to, discussions with UOIT administration, representation within the community, attendance at conferences or events, etc.

There is no specific confined list as to who cannot be a representative of the SLA, as so the Executive is deemed to determine who they choose as representatives at any time. The main representatives of the SLA are the Executive Officers, Alumni Advisory Governors, and Junior Executive Officers. Anyone the Executive deems a representative will be held to the guidelines set out within this bylaw.

Section II. Roles of RepresentativesAny representatives not defined within the SLA Constitution, must be clearly outlined and documented for future reference. There shall be at no point a position or representative selected without unanimous vote by the Executive. Any communications between the representatives must be completed through the official student law association email service account.

All representatives who are not the Executive Officers, Junior Executive Officers, or Alumni Advisory Governors, are considered for all intents and purposes external representatives.

Informal conversations will be summarized and mailed to external representatives as to ensure clarity and consistency in action and understanding. Failure to record this information may result in non-compliance with tasks and objectives set out thereby signifying the external representative with greater influence over the Executive.

ARTICLE IV – DISCRIMINATION AND HARRASMENTSection I. DiscriminationAt no point will ANY of the Representatives engage in behaviour that serves to discriminate, exclude, or oppress the opinions, voice, or actions based on their age, sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, sexual orientation/identity, creed, marital status, religious beliefs, ancestry, place of origin, family status, citizenship status, socio-economic status, mental, physical or emotional disability, appearance or occupation.

a. Any behaviour or act by the Executive Officers, Junior Executive Officers,

Alumni Advisory Governors, or external Representatives, which violates this section will be impeached or removed as per unanimous vote by the uninvolved Executive members.

Section II. HarassmentAt no point will ANY of the Representatives engage in behaviour or conduct that, by legal definition, a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome, known as harassment.

This type of harassment may or may not be sexual in nature, and can take many forms, the Representatives must be sure to be aware of all these issues, including, but not limited to:

a. Threats, intimidation or verbal abuse; b. Unwelcome remarks or jokes about subjects such as the person’s race,

religion, disability age or other characteristic; c. Displaying sexist, racist or other offensive pictures or posters; d. Sexually suggestive remarks or gestures; e. Unnecessary physical contact, such as touching, patting, pinching, punching; f. Physical assault, including sexual assault; g. Retaliation in any form for having filed a complaint of Discrimination, or

assisted in complaint proceedings.

Any behaviour or act by the Executive Officers, Junior Executive Officers, Alumni Advisory Governors, or external Representatives, which violates this section will be investigated and written a formal notice of removal, upon any additional misconduct or

violation, as by majority vote by the uninvolved Executive members.

Section III. Sexual HarassmentAt no point will ANY of the Representatives engage in behaviour or conduct that, by legal definition, is any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature:

a. That is likely to cause offence or humiliation to any member; b. That might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by that member as placing a

condition of a sexual nature on membership, or any opportunity for training, promotion or engagement.

Any behaviour or act by the Executive Officers, Junior Executive Officers, Alumni Advisory Governors, or external Representatives, which violates this section will be investigated and written a formal notice of removal, upon any additional misconduct or violation, as by majority vote by the uninvolved Executive members.

Section IV. ConfidentialityAll parties involved in the resolution and investigation of the compliant, written notice, and impeachment/removal, must maintain confidentiality in regards to this issue.

All documentation shall be maintained by the President (unless offender), than the Vice President separate from all other files, and document locked and sealed.

Any breach of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action.

ARTICLE V – PROPER BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCTEffective communication is vital to an organizations success. By understanding how to approach each individual the SLA can enhance its image through the campus and broader community.

Section I. Faculty, Administration, and InstitutionsCommunications between the Faculty, Administration and Institution (UOIT/DC) and the SLA is primarily facilitated through the President of the SLA.

The only exception is only approved Executives or JEOs that may directly facilitate action between the SLA and the Faculty, Administration and Institution (UOIT/DC). External representatives shall not be granted this authority as they do not hold formal status within the SLA Executive Governance Structure.

All communications whether in soft (electronic) or hard (paper) copy should adhere to formal writing style, and must not include any slang or derogatory terminology as to maintain a level of professionalism.

a. Appropriate terminology when beginning and ending a written document

should be clear.

b. In formal communications terminology the terms such as ‘hey’ or even no

introductory phrase signifies a lack of professionalism and should not be used. c. All communications should end with a formal, appropriate ‘thank you’

‘sincerely’ ‘kind regards.’ d. The name of the executive, role and organization name should be in the sign

off. This is associated with professional communications and directs conversations to specific members rather than entire SLA Executive. e. INTERNAL communication

between the Executive is vital to ensure that

there is no ‘double’ emails being sent to the same individual.

Any responses, discussions, phone calls, and meetings, regardless of prior relationships, should remain formal as to represent the SLA in the best possible way.

The purpose of this section is present the best possible image to the administration that our club is serious in their endeavours and organized in their structure.

Section II. StudentsOnly the President and Vice President should be directly facilitating communications between the SLA and students in written contact methods (such as email or by way of letter).

a. If communications are via email, the President or Vice President must

respond within 24-48 hours to the student inquiry. The faster the response, the quicker the resolve. b. If communications via letter mail, the response time may vary.

The entire Executive is responsible for ensuring clear and concise communication between the students and the SLA on all other levels (in person and social media).



should be clear. b. In formal communications terminology the terms such as ‘hey’ or even no





Any discussions, phone calls, and meetings can be informal; however there is still a requirement to remain as a solid representative of the SLA. Formal style is still recommended.

There are instances when students will approach Executives to answer questions, and that conversation may or may not be formal, the approach taken by the Executive should conform to the question, content, and context as long as it does not negatively represent the SLA as ‘unprofessional.’ It is perfectly acceptable to defer a response until you can retrieve an answer, but student communications should be kept fluid and quick.

The purpose of this section is present the best possible image to the students that our club is serious in their endeavours and organized in their structure.

Section III. Internal ExecutiveInternal Communications between the SLA Executive Committee may be formal or informal.

Given the mass communications between the executive, there is a requirement to remain active in ensuring the selected form of communication is open, frequented and effectively available for response.

All executives must adhere to all other Articles in this bylaw regardless of formal or informal communications.

It is expected the Executives respond to the preferred communication of the term within 24 hours of execution. The continuous flow of information is critical for success.

Section IV. External RepresentativesOnly the President and Operations Manager (depending on situation) should be directly facilitating communications between the SLA and external representatives in written contact method (such as email or by way of letter).

a. If communications are regarding issues pertaining to the Operations

Manager, the President and Operations Manager shall effectively response via email or by way of letter.

All external representatives must be provided with any necessary information to fulfill their positions. If there are changes to policy, requirements, structure, or directly relatable changes they must be communicated.


b. Appropriate terminology when beginning and ending a written document

should be clear. c. In formal communications terminology the terms such as ‘hey’ or even no

introductory phrase signifies a lack of professionalism and should not be used. d. All communications should end with a formal, appropriate ‘thank you’

‘sincerely’ ‘kind regards.’ e. The name of the executive, role and organization name should be in the sign

off. This is associated with professional communications and directs conversations to specific members rather than entire SLA Executive. f. INTERNAL communication




The purpose of this section is present the best possible image to the external representatives that our club is serious in their endeavours and organized in their structure.

Section V. CommunityThere may be at times, external organizations from the community wish to engage the SLA. All communications between the SLA and the community shall only be facilitated through the President and Vice President.

Any past, present and future communications should be understood by the Executive to ensure proper compliance with any agreements, partnerships, or relationships formed. If any future agreements, partnerships, or relationships are formed they must comply with the following:

a. They must not be contractual in nature whereby there is a consequence is the

partnership is broken. b. Timelines are preferred (if applicable) to determine if the SLA Executive would

like to continue with the agreement, or partnership c. They CANNOT void, nullify, or violate any of the bylaws, or SLA Constitution. If

they do they will not struck down. d. If Executive deems the agreement, partnership, or relationship is of no benefit to

the SLA, the Executive has the authority to end it.

In the event an organization approaches an Executive (not the President or Vice President) the message must be passed to the two presiding Executives to ensure

proper communication and facilitation between these organizations.



should be clear. b. In formal communications terminology the terms such as ‘hey’ or even no







Section VI. Student AssociationThe Student Association, being the governing body over the SLA as the Executive it is your responsibility to ensure that ALL issues regardless of breadth are addressed. The President is primarily responsible for these communications, however, the entire Executive is responsible to ensure that their areas (such as Finance, or event form submissions) are submitted, and approved at the appropriate times.

Communications may be borderline formal/informal, however the communications should not include any slang or derogatory terminology.

Ensure there is adequate time for response, with exception of emergency issues. The Student Association policies regarding Club Communications, behaviours, and conduct also apply to the SLA.

ARTICLE IX – ACCEPTANCE OF BY-LAWThis By-Law, The Elections Policy of the Student Law Association, has been approved in its entirety and shall be adhered to. Any modifications to the By-law must follow the processes outlined by the SLA Constitution. If a unanimous vote is not reached in modification of the by-law, the change cannot be enforced. The By-law shall remain in force and effect until superseded with a by-law that captures the essence of this document and ensures continuity of the SLA.

studentlawassociation.files.wordpress.com · Web viewAny behaviour or act by the Executive...

Documents

Transcript of studentlawassociation.files.wordpress.com · Web viewAny behaviour or act by the Executive...