Gay Coaches Alliance (GCA) Anti-Bullying & Anti-Harassment Policy
Document Status: Approved
Effective Date: August 28, 2025 (modified from original approval on June 16, 2025)
Applies To: Board Members, Staff Members, and GCA Members
Responsible Officer: Secretary, GCA
The Gay Coaches Alliance (“the GCA”) is committed to fostering an environment that is both safe and welcoming for all individuals. Bullying adversely impacts the GCA and its community by creating unsafe conditions and contributing to the potential loss of members, volunteers, and staff. Individuals subjected to bullying may experience emotional distress, anxiety, withdrawal, and diminished self-esteem and confidence. In certain circumstances, bullying is also unlawful. Consequently, the GCA maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying.
The GCA acknowledges that comments and behaviors perceived as offensive may vary from person to person, and individual responses to such conduct can differ. For this reason, a minimum standard of conduct is expected from all board members, staff, volunteers, and GCA members. This standard is designed to ensure respect for everyone involved.
The GCA further recognizes that bullying can occur through various forms of communication, including face-to-face interactions, email, text messaging, and social media platforms. Accordingly, this Policy applies to all mediums through which bullying may arise.
This Policy addresses behavior occurring:
- During GCA activities and meetings, both online and in person.
- On social media platforms where members interact, and via E-mail.
This Policy applies to all GCA members, volunteers, employees, and contractors.
WHAT IS BULLYING?
Bullying occurs when an individual, or a group of individuals (e.g., a GCA member, a board member a staff member, a volunteer) repeatedly behaves unreasonably towards a member of the GCA, a board member, a staff member, or a volunteer, and the behavior creates a risk to health and safety. It includes both physical and psychological abuse.
Bullying behaviors can take many different forms, from the obvious (direct) to the more subtle (indirect).
Bullying and harassment includes verbal, written, or physical conduct that denigrates or shows
hostility toward an individual on the basis of any of the above listed protected factors and that: (1)
has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; (2) has the
purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's performance or ability to participate in GCA
activities; or (3) otherwise affects an individual's ability to participate in GCA events and activities.
Harassing conduct includes epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; denigrating jokes, offensive texts, and emails. Sexual harassment means any unwelcome conduct, comment, gesture, or contact of a sexual nature, whether on a one-time basis or in a continuous series of incidents that might reasonably be expected to offend, embarrass, or offend an individual. Sexual harassment also includes any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical unwelcome conduct.
The above examples are not an exhaustive list of bullying behaviors. They are indicative of the type of behavior that may constitute bullying and are therefore unacceptable to the GCA. If you are unsure whether the behavior not provided on this list constitutes bullying you should contact the Executive Director or the Board President in the first instance.
OTHER UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT
Single incidents of unreasonable behavior (such as harassment, violence or threatening behavior) can also present a risk to health and safety and will not be tolerated.
The GCA will also not tolerate any form of violence. Violence is considered to be any incident where a person is physically attacked or threatened , whether this is directed to a member, a volunteer, or a staff member.
The GCA expects board members, staff members, volunteers, and members of the GCA:
- Not to engage in harassment, bullying, or violence;
- Not to aid, abet or encourage others to engage in harassment, bullying or violence;
- To behave in a responsible and professional manner;
- Treat others in the organization with courtesy and respect;
- Listen and respond appropriately to the views and concerns of others; and
- To be fair and honest in their dealings with others.
ARE YOU EXPERIENCING BULLYING, HARASSMENT OR BEING SUBJECT TO VIOLENCE?
Complaints of bullying, harassment and violence will be taken seriously and will be handled in accordance with the GCA’s Grievance Handling Policy. The complainant may report the incident to the Board President or Executive Director, who will investigate the incident. The findings will be presented to the Board of Directors who will decide the appropriate action to take.
You will not be victimized or treated unfairly for making a complaint.
If the claim is found to be substantiated, the Company will act in accordance with its Disciplinary & Termination Policy:
Board members: A director may be terminated for cause only by a vote of 75% of the remaining directors. At any meeting of members called expressly for that purpose, any Director or Directors may be removed from office, with or without cause, by vote of the majority of the voting members then entitled to vote at an election of directors. (GCA Bylaws, Section 11)
Staff Members: May be terminated or otherwise disciplined via a majority Board of Directors vote. GCA Members: may be either suspended, denied any or all privileges of membership, or expelled from the GCA by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. [GCA Bylaws, Section 17(c)]
MORE INFORMATION
If you need any more information about bullying, harassment, or violence please contact the Executive Director or the Board President.