Policy

Policy

Washinkan Corp. Policies

January, 2021

Version 1.1

POLICY FOR COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Washinkan's aim above all others is to keep its members safe. With the situation surrounding the Covid-19 global pandemic being ever changing, the specifics as to how training sessions are held and what protocols are to be followed both inside and outside of the training facility will be continuously changing. A listing of the current policies and protocols being followed is posted at washinkan.org/COVID-19. As protocols change every effort will be made to keep the membership abreast of the changes via email. Members are expected to abide by the Covid-19 protocols as soon as they are released to the site listed above. Those wishing not to abide by the communicated protocols are expected to self identify.

POLICY AGAINST HARASSMENT

Washinkan has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination and all forms of unlawful harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment. This zero-tolerance policy means that no form of unlawful discriminatory or harassing conduct by or towards any member, guest visitor, or other person at a training location or Washinkan sponsored event will be tolerated; this includes visiting instructor or visitor. Washinkan is committed to enforcing its policy at all levels within the Association. Any officer, director, teacher, or member who engages in prohibited discrimination or harassment will be subject to discipline, up to and including immediate discharge from the member group.

Conduct Covered by this Policy:

This policy applies to and prohibits all forms of illegal harassment and discrimination, not only sexual harassment. Accordingly, Washinkan absolutely prohibits harassment or discrimination based on sex, age, disability, perceived disability, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Because confusion often arises concerning the meaning of sexual harassment in particular, it deserves special mention. Sexual harassment may take many forms, including the following:

  • Offensive and unwelcome sexual invitations, whether or not the member submits to the invitation, and particularly when a spoken or implied quid pro quo for sexual favors is a benefit of membership or continued membership;

  • Offensive and unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including sexually-graphic spoken comments; offensive comments transmitted by e-mail or another messaging system; offensive or suggestive images or graphics whether physically present in the workplace or accessed over the Internet; or the possession of or use of sexually suggestive objects; and

  • Offensive and unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature, including the touching of another’s body; the touching or display of one’s own body, or any similar contact.

COMPUTER MESSAGING and INFORMATION SYSTEMS:

Users of Washinkan’s domain are particularly cautioned that the use of e-mail, voice mail, or other electronic messaging systems, or the Internet, may give rise to liability for harassment.

Washinkan domain users may not generate, should not receive, and must not forward, any message or graphic that might be taken as offensive based on sex, gender, or other protected characteristic. This includes, for example, the generation or forwarding of offensive “humor” which contains offensive terms.

Members receiving offensive messages from the Washinkan domain should report those messages to a Member of Washinkan Board. Members are reminded that Washinkan’s domain and the information therein, or transmitted to or from the domain remain the property of Washinkan for all purposes. Washinkan retains the right to monitor its domain to ensure compliance with this requirement.

Procedures in Cases of Harassment:

Any Washinkan member who believes that she or he has been subjected to unlawful harassment of any kind has the responsibility to report the harassment immediately to the Washinkan Board by emailing info@washinkan.org.

Washinkan is committed to taking all reasonable steps to prevent harassment, and will make every reasonable effort promptly and completely to address and correct any harassment that may occur. However, Washinkan cannot take prompt and effective remedial action unless each member assumes the responsibility of reporting any incident of harassment immediately to the Washinkan Board.

Every report of harassment will be investigated promptly and impartially, with every effort to maintain member confidentiality. The complainant and the accused will be informed of the results of the investigation.

If Washinkan finds that its policy has been violated, it will take appropriate corrective and remedial action, up to and including expulsion of offending officers or members, and/or similarly appropriate action towards offending vendors, contractors, visitors, visiting instructors or members.

POLICY AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

Washinkan does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, selection of board members, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. Washinkan is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community, members, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.

REPORTING WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION

No Washinkan member will be retaliated against for reporting harassment. This no-retaliation policy applies whether a good faith complaint of harassment is well founded or ultimately determined to be unfounded. No Association officer, director, manager or supervisor is authorized, or permitted, to retaliate or to take any adverse employment action whatsoever against anyone for reporting unlawful harassment, or for opposing any other discriminatory practice in the workplace.

CONCUSSION PROTOCOL

It is essential that everyone; teachers, coaches, parents and kendoka appreciate the importance of recognizing the symptoms of a concussion, and take action when a concussion is likely. Further, due to the significant risk of recurrence for those that are not fully recovered no kendoka should return to training when symptoms of concussion are present and recovery is ongoing. In summary, the best way to prevent difficulties from a concussion is to manage the injury properly when it does occur.

Those sustaining, or diagnosed with, a concussion shall inform the Washinkan Board. Those wishing to return to training must submit; a doctor’s note clearing the individual to resume kendo practice as well as a written request to rejoin training, to the Washinkan Board. The Washinkan board will review the request and determine if the kendoka may rejoin training with the group.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's site, available here, is a good source to begin concussion research.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLAUSE

Washinkan Corp. may use photographs taken at kendo events for non-commercial, non-publication purposes to promote Washinkan.

MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT

This section sets the code of conduct expected of all members of Washinkan and is a condition of membership. It applies to all members, irrespective of membership type, or role.

As a Washinkan member, I will:

  • Abide by the curriculum set forth by the Washinkan Board;

  • Uphold the reputation and good standing of Washinkan;

  • Act with integrity and respect others;

  • Act, support, respect, and abide by the appropriate laws in general that apply to personal conduct;

  • Act in the general interest and will not use my position to unfairly benefit myself, or others;

  • Promptly pay membership fees as part of continued membership and keep my information updated;

  • Will not knowingly hold, assume, or accept a position in which interests conflict with commitment or role to Washinkan;

  • Will not make any statement on behalf of Washinkan or purport to represent Washinkan through any public medium, including digital social media, unless authorized to do so by Washinkan; and must reject and will not make any offer of bribery or unethical inducement;

Should a member fail to meet the conditions in this Code of Conduct, the Washinkan Board may, at its sole discretion, decide on the appropriate action to take. Washinkan reserves the right to revoke membership that has been granted, in the event that a member violates the Membership Code of Conduct. By applying for membership to Washinkan you indicate that you have accepted and will abide by the Membership Code of Conduct as published from time to time.