Code of Ethics
Dated 18 October 2012
Purpose and Scope
1. The purpose of this code of ethics is to:
a. set the standards of which the conduct of competitors, arbiters, tournament
directors, sponsors, and other individuals and entities participating in the
affairs of the World Memory Sports Council (WMSC), including competitions and
other activities sponsored or sanctioned by the WMSC, should conform;
b. specify sanctions for conduct that does not conform to such standards; and
c. specify the procedures by which alleged violations are to be investigated
and, if necessary, the appropriate sanctions imposed.
2. The standards, procedures, and sanctions set forth in this code of ethics are
not equivalent to criminal laws and procedures. Rather, they concern the rights
and privileges of WMSC membership, including, but not limited to, the privilege
of participating in competitions, events, or other activities as a member of the
WMSC.
3. The standards, procedures, and sanctions set for this code of ethics shall
apply only to:
a. actions and behaviour by members of the WMSC that occur in connection with
competitions or other activities sponsored by or sanctioned by the WMSC;
b. individuals and entities acting in an official capacity as officers or
representatives of the WMSC. Each member of the WMSC and each participant in a
WMSC activity shall be bound by this code of ethics; and
c. actions and behaviour of all memorisors, competitors, arbiters, medal holders
and champions participating in competitions anywhere in the world which are
sanctioned and accredited by the WMSC.
The WMSC Ethics Committee
4. The WMSC Ethics Committee is appointed in accordance with procedures
consistent with the bylaws of the WMSC. The committee exists to consider
allegations of unethical conduct at or in connection with events sanctioned by
the WMSC, and allegations of unethical conduct involving the WMSC and its
activities, in accordance with the standards and procedures contained in this
code. The committee will exercise all other duties as may be assigned by the
bylaws or by action of the WMSC Board.
Standards of Conduct
5. The actions and behaviour of individuals participating in WMSC activities, or
in events sponsored by or sanctioned by the WMSC, shall be lawful and in
accordance with all WMSC rules and regulations, and consistent with the
principles of fair play, good sportsmanship, honesty, and respect for the rights
of others.
Procedures
6. Any WMSC member may initiate procedures under this code of ethics by filing a
complaint in a timely manner with the WMSC Ethics Committee. In the case of any
accusation that does not fall clearly under the "Standards of Conduct" above,
the Ethics Committee shall have the authority to decide whether the alleged
conduct is within the scope of the code of ethics. In the case of each alleged
violation that is within the scope of the code of ethics, the following steps
shall occur in a timely manner:
(a) A factual inquiry shall be made by the Ethics Committee, assisted as
necessary by the WMSC staff. Previous findings of the Ethics Committee or other
WMSC entities may be included among the evidence considered by the Ethics
Committee, if relevant to the circumstances of the present case. As a part of
such an inquiry, any person accused of unethical conduct shall have the right to
examine the evidence against him or her, the right to respond to the accusation,
and the right to produce written evidence in his or her behalf.
(b) Appropriate sanctions, if any, shall be recommended by the Ethics Committee.
In recommending sanctions, the Ethics Committee may consider any previous ruling
or finding of the Ethics Committee, or other WMSC entity, pertaining to the past
conduct of the person being sanctioned. In recommending sanctions, the person
being recommended for sanctions must be informed of this fact. Any person
against whom sanctions have been recommended shall be promptly notified.
(c) Except as specified in 6(e) recommended sanctions shall be deemed final
unless appealed to the Executive Board by the person or persons upon whom the
sanctions have been imposed, or upon the initiative of any member of the
Executive Board. Such an appeal must be made within thirty days of the date that
notification of recommended sanctions occurred, except that the Executive Board
may extend the deadline for appeal if in its judgement an unavoidable delay in
communications or other valid cause prevented a timely appeal.
If an appeal has not been filed by the deadline commended sanctions shall be
placed into effect.
(d) Upon appeal, a review of the facts and the appropriateness of the
recommended sanction shall be undertaken by the Executive Board. The person
against whom the sanction has been recommended, as well as the person filing the
initial complaint, shall be given notice of the time and place the Executive
Board will review the case.
The person against whom the sanctions have been recommended shall have the right
to appear before the Board and present evidence.
In all appeals the recommended sanctions imposed by the Ethics Committee shall
not be in effect until the appeal hearing is completed. The recommended
sanctions shall be confirmed, modified, or revoked by the Executive Board.
(e) If the person against whom sanctions have been recommended is a member of
the WMSC Executive Board, he or she may not appeal the sanctions to the
Executive Board, but may appeal to the WMSC Board of Delegates at its next
scheduled meeting.
(f) If any member of the Ethics Committee or of the WMSC Executive Board has a
conflict of interest of any kind that might preclude objective participation in
the consideration of any case, that person may not act in the capacity of a
committee or board member on the case.
Sanctions:
7. The following are some of the sanctions that may be imposed as a result of
the procedures specified above. In unusual cases, other appropriate sanctions
may be imposed, or these sanctions may be varied or combined:
(a) Reprimand. A determination that a member has committed an offence warranting
discipline becomes a matter of record, but no further sanction is imposed at the
time.
A reprimand automatically carries a probation of at least three months or longer
if so specified. If the member is judged guilty of another offence during the
probation, he or she is then liable to further sanctions for both offences.
(b) Censure. A determination that a member has committed a serious offence
warranting discipline becomes a matter of record, but no further sanction is
imposed at the time. Censure automatically carries a probation of at least one
year or longer if so specified. If the member is judged guilty of another
offence during the probationary period, he or she is then liable to further
sanctions for both offences.
(c) Suspended sentence with probation. A determination is made that the member
has committed an offence warranting discipline. When the discipline is imposed
and execution thereof suspended, such suspension shall include probation for at
least six months longer than the discipline imposed. If the member is judged
guilty of another offence during this period, unless otherwise decreed, the
original discipline shall be added to such new discipline as may be imposed for
the new offence.
(d) Suspension. Suspension is a determination that the member has committed an
offence warranting abrogation, for a specified period of time, of all membership
rights and privileges.
(e) Expulsion. Expulsion is a determination that a member has committed an
offence warranting permanent abrogation of all membership rights and privileges.
An expelled member may be readmitted to membership only by the WMSC Executive
Board or by the WMSC Board.
(f) Exclusion from events. This is a more selective determination that a member
has committed an offence warranting abrogation of the right to participate in
certain specified events or activities.
8. If the person being sanctioned is a member of the WMSC Board, the Ethics
Committee may recommend no sanctions other than censure or reprimand, but may
also recommend to the Board other actions.
9. In the case of every sanction that involves suspension or expulsion, a member may not hold any office in the WMSC or participate in any capacity in any event or activity sponsored by or sanctioned by the WMSC.
10. The WMSC administration office shall be informed in writing of all official determinations by the Ethics Committee, and shall record any recommendations of any sanctions. The WMSC Business Office shall inform the Executive Board of any sanctions recommended.
Dated 18 October 2012