1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. This code of conduct represents The Off-Road Marshall Unit’s (“the Unit”) guidelines and expectations in relation to the behaviour and conduct of its members and committee members, officials and other persons under its direction or representing the Unit at any time and in any place
(“Representatives”). This code of conduct is binding on all the members of ORMU.
1.2. This code of conduct applies at all sanctioned motorsport or other events such as social or sponsorship events, including foreign meetings and events when representing the Unit, travelling to or from such places, and at all other times at which any representative is wearing ORMU apparel or uniforms, and other items branded with the ORMU logo, whether required to do so or by choice. It also applies to the sending of correspondence and the use of social media.
2. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
2.1. The Unit has a proud history of non-discrimination, and refrains from manifesting racial, political, gender or religious discrimination in the course of its activities and requires the same of its representatives.
2.2. The Unit, being a provider to various clients, accepts their code of conduct as provided for in its constitution.
2.3. The Unit acknowledges that it is bound by the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and all other applicable national, provincial and local laws and regulations and expects its representatives to conduct themselves within that framework.
2.4. The Unit acknowledges in particular the provisions of Section 9 of the Constitution and particularly the prohibition of direct or indirect discrimination against any person on the grounds of race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
2.5. The Unit’s representatives acknowledge that they are required to act in accordance with the principles stated herein.
3. PROFESSIONALISM
3.1. All marshals acknowledge that the Unit representatives acknowledge that they are required to act in accordance with the following principles:
3.1.1. carries on the business of providing fair, safe and socially responsible
motorsport, an activity which is, therefore vulnerable if it’s media, public or professional image is tarnished in any way;
3.1.2. agree to act professionally and represent the Unit in a professional manner at all times;
3.1.3. must respect the rights dignity and worth of everyone involved in any motorsport event;
3.1.4. must not engage in any form of harassment against any member of the Unit, officials, competitors, other service providers and organisers during activities, be it physical, mental, professional or sexual harassment;
3.1.5. must not whatsoever beg/hint/ask for competitor/event/marketing merchandise from any competitor/marketing teams or official;
3.1.6. must serve as a positive role model for those they come into contact with in the sport;
3.1.7. should treat other officials with courtesy and refrain from interfering with their responsibilities;
3.1.8. must co-operate with organisers, team managers and competitors;
3.1.9. while being friendly with competitors, must avoid any intimacy or inappropriate relationships;
3.1.10. must ensure that they are free of obligations to any other interest, and must avoid conflicts of interest;
3.1.11. must not be party to any actions which unfairly limit or restrain the access of others to officiating opportunities; and
3.1.12. must not publicly do or say (or omit to do or say) anything which is or may be detrimental, prejudicial, offensive or unfavourable to the Unit, its affiliates and persons related to it, sponsors either legally or professionally, or which might generate unfavourable or undesirable criticism of them or any of their products, services or personnel.
3.2. A marshal shall at all times remain courteous towards competitors, race officials, police officers and members of the general public no matter what the provocation. Remember that as a marshal you have no direct authority over these people and aggression on the part of a marshal can only aggravate the situation. In the case of competitors and race officials there are procedures to deal with breaches of the rules and abusive behavior.
3.3. In the case of members of the general public where a marshal may feel that individuals may be encroaching into areas that put themselves, other members of the public or competitors at risk, make your requests firmly with an explanation as to why you are asking them to take the course of action you are requesting of them. If this approach is not successful them seek the help of a police officer if in attendance or of the race organisers.
4. PREPAREDNESS
4.1. The Unit’s representatives should be appropriately prepared for their duties in all aspects, including fitness, dress, promptness and being appropriately equipped (this includes adequate knowledge of the Unit’s rules and regulations as appropriate).
4.2. Know what a competitor is entitled to ask of you and assist him/her when requested to do so.
4.3. In carrying out his/her duties the marshal should do so as efficiently as possible so as to minimise the amount of time a competitor is held up at the marshal point. In the event that there is a problem reading the number of the competitor politely make it clear to the competitor that you have this problem and he will give it to you.
5. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
5.1. The Unit’s representatives acknowledge that part of their activities are in the highly publicised and visible activity of motorsport and undertake to behave towards others in the spirit of fairness and in a sportsmanlike manner.
6. HONESTY
6.1. The Unit’s representatives must not behave in a manner that exhibits bias or commit any premeditated breach of the law nor of any of the Unit’s constitution or code of conduct, or the supplementary regulations of any event or the privately imposed rules and regulations relating to any venue or event.
7. COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW
7.1. The Unit’s representatives are expected to comply with all laws, statutes, rules and codes of practice, regulations or bylaws in force at any time, whether relating to the Unit, motorsport in general or any other applicable matter.
7.2. The Unit’s representatives are obligated to, when applying for a yearly MSA Licence, complete at least one GCR webinar per year.
8. ROAD SAFETY
8.1. All the Unit representatives are expected to drive courteously, carefully, mindful of the rights of other road users and observing of the law. This should be particularly borne in mind when driving vehicles displaying brandings or markings related to the Unit, its sponsors and the events which it sanctions.
9. COMPLIANCE WITH VENUE RULES
9.1. The Unit’s representatives must observe and perform the terms and conditions of any lease, license, entry ticket or other agreement in force for any venue used for any event and comply with any applicable rules and regulations affecting the use of the venue and any instructions including those of stewards of the organisers or requests made on behalf of the owner, the lessee or licensee of the venue.
10. RESPECT FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
10.1. Without limiting their obligations, the Unit’s representatives must not do (or omit to do) or be involved in the doing of anything by which intellectual property rights owned by the Unit may be lost or detrimentally affected. In addition, the Unit’s representatives shall not release documents or other information acquired during their duties without the authorisation of the Unit.
11. APPEARANCES
11.1. The Unit’s representatives must exhibit an appropriate standard of dress, cleanliness and appearance and, when required to do so, wear and maintain in a clean and presentable condition the apparel/uniform issued by the Unit or its sponsors in its entirety and without modification.
11.2. Remember that as a marshal you are seen as representing The Off-Road Marshal Unit.
12. EXERCISE COMMON SENSE
12.1. The Unit’s representatives must recognise their conduct on behalf of the Unit including, without limitation, at motorsport events, is by its nature hazardous and they must therefore exercise common sense at all times with regard to both their own personal safety and the safety of others.
13. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
13.1. The constitution and this code of conduct of the Unit prohibit all officials from the consumption of alcohol until such time as they have discharged all of their official duties in their entirety. The Unit’s representatives should, in addition, avoid inappropriate behaviour such as the excessive use of alcohol or the use of recreational drugs. Representatives should also bear in mind that they cannot perform their duties to the highest standard when suffering the after effects of overindulgence in alcohol.
13.2. No alcohol, of any kind may be consumed during the period that a marshal is required to carry out his duties. This includes:
13.2.1. the period after the race has been terminated and the marshal has been stood down from his point;
13.2.2. during the time when the marshal is awaiting to be called to a hearing involving a complaint against a competitor or an objection that has been raised by a competitor requiring input from the marshal at a hearing; and
13.2.3. until after the daily marshal meeting/debriefing has been concluded.
13.3. The penalties that could be incurred by all parties as the consequence of one single marshal consuming alcohol while he/she carries out their duties can be severe. Such action could also jeopardise the future of the event and of all participating bodies.
14. SOCIAL MEDIA
14.1. Unless social media forms part of a representative’s duties, attention should always remain focused on the representative’s responsibilities. The use of mobile devices and the internet should be saved for either a break or the end of the day.
14.2. The following represent broad guidelines for the use of social media by the Unit’s representatives:
14.2.1. put yourself in the other person’s shoes;
14.2.2. take a moment to think before you post. If it was you someone was posting a picture or comment about, how would you feel?
14.2.3. once it’s out there it’s out there!
14.2.4. never assume that something you post online is private. Comments, photos and status updates can all be copied, shown to friends, screen captured and saved or sent on by others. Always assume the person
you are posting about will see your post;
14.2.5. if in doubt, leave it out;
14.2.6. if you have to stop and think about it, it probably means you should not be posting it! Remember, your online presence is part of your personal brand, what you say and do online effects how people perceive you and consequently the Unit as well;
14.2.7. social media should not be used to make disparaging or negative remarks about competitors, officials, volunteers, event organisers, promoters or the Unit!
14.2.8. there can be serious consequences for misuse of social media. If you have an issue that needs resolving, there are appropriate channels to do this through. Start by making contact with the committee of the Unit;
14.2.9. Never post photos or comments about a motorsport incident!
14.3. It is vitally important that we all respect the privacy of individuals involved in accidents or incidents, whether on or off the track. As such, refrain from posting photos, comments or information on social media or other online forums about an accident or incident. Remember the first point above: Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
14.4. Use social media as a tool to promote and encourage the development of the Unit and what they do for the sport.
14.5. Social media, correctly and responsibly used for positive objectives, is an amazing platform. Use it to promote events, Unit activities and membership. Use it to spread the word about our great Unit and keep it positive.
15. BINDING
15.1. Marshalls are bound to observe the provisions of this code of conduct as they may be required when applying for membership to the Unit or any official licence to sign an acknowledgement that they have observed the provisions of this code of conduct.