Implementing the AGA Code of Conduct

 

Any AGA official, tournament director, event official, or club leader may at some point need to handle difficult situations related to the AGA Rules of Go, the AGA Tournament Regulations, the AGA Code of Conduct, or the AGA Safety and Security Policy. This resource is specific to situations related to the AGA Code of Conduct, however all officials should be aware that in cases of situations involving any one of these policies, there are likely to be overlaps between them. Familiarity with all of them will assist in management of issues related to any of them.

 

We are all human beings, and as such have different beliefs, personalities, and lifestyles. Any club leader or seasoned event official will know that there will be occasions where members of the same club or attendees of the same events do not like each other, or have personal relationships or conflicts outside of AGA events and spaces. As stated in the AGA Code of Conduct, all players are expected to behave maturely and responsibly, with respect for all others, regardless of personal relationships or personal history. Any participant who has a concern for their personal safety at an event is encouraged to contact an official when they become aware of such a situation, well before such an event if possible. 

 

The AGA supports you as a chapter leader, tournament director, or event official in your implementation of the AGA Code of Conduct and trusts you to make decisions based on these policies and your own judgement in the best interests of your clubs and events. If at any time you need support in making a report, or would like help working through a difficult situation, please contact the AGA Code of Conduct Committee at CodeofConduct@usgo.org. We are here to help and to support you. Note: We are volunteers as well! We may not be able to respond right away, and there may be situations in which it is necessary for you to make decisions about your tournament, event, or chapter on the spot. You are empowered to do so.

 

Sanction Guidelines for Chapters and Local Events

 

• No sanctions. It is determined that a violation did not take place.
• No sanctions. The situation was resolved through mediation.
• A warning may be given, and conditions imposed requiring that certain behaviors not recur, with a specified penalty for failure to comply.
• Ejection from a chapter meeting may be imposed by chapter leadership.
• Ejection from a tournament round, a tournament, or a multi-tournament event may be imposed by event officials. AGA Tournament Regulations provide the TD with this authority. The ejection may be issued in verbal or written form. All such actions should be reported to the Code of Conduct Committee at CodeofConduct@usgo.org.
• Suspension from participation in local chapter activities, for a period of time up to or including indefinitely, may be imposed by chapter leadership. The suspension may be issued in verbal or written form. All such actions should be reported to the Code of Conduct Committee at CodeofConduct@usgo.org.

 

Reporting to the AGA Code of Conduct Committee

 

If a violation of the Code of Conduct is reported to you and you make a decision that imposes sanctions on a player, please report it to the committee’s Google Form or by email at CodeofConduct@usgo.org. This is something that can be done after the event is over. All reports made to the Committee are confidential. Gathering and maintaining complete records helps us consider information in aggregate when it is reported to us from multiple clubs or event officials. In cases where violations of the Code of Conduct are severe, or repeated, this also allows us to take stronger organization-level action if necessary.

 

What to include in your report to the Committee:

• Your name and club information
• Date, time, and location of incident
• Description of incident and prohibited behavior(s)
• Reporter(s) and witnesses of the behavior(s)
• Sanctions imposed, and by whom