Pride Basketball League New York City CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT
The Board of Directors (the Board) of the Pride Basketball League New York City (the PBLNYC) establishes this Code of Conduct as the organization's statement of behavioral standards that all players are required to read and follow. The Code of Conduct reflects the Mission Statement of the PBLNYC and clarifies the expectation that PBLNYC players have responsibility for their actions both on and off the court, and are accountable for those actions when PBLNYC standards are violated. This Code of Conduct aims to protect the PBLNYC, its Board, players, officials, sponsors, partners, vendors, volunteers, and spectators.
Mission Statement
The PBLNYC provides a safe and welcoming environment free from harassment and discrimination for members and friends of the LGBTQ+ community to play basketball and build camaraderie.
Section 1: Language and Threats
Hostile language, slurs against race, religion, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, disability, sexuality, gender, or gender identity will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Threats, either real or perceived, that compromise the physical, emotional or mental safety of a fellow player, official, spectator, Board member, or the PBLNYC as an organization, will not be tolerated under any circumstances and shall give the Board cause to follow the Progressive Discipline Policy (as defined in Section 5 below).
Section 2: Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is defined as: fairness and respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing. All players are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of sportsmanship both on and off the court.
Section 3: Aggressive Play
Overly aggressive play will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any player who physically harms, threatens physical harm, or intimidates a fellow player, official, or spectator, will be subject to the Progressive Discipline Policy.
Section 4: Reporting Code of Conduct Violations
Suspected Code of Conduct violations can be reported by any player to any member of the Board in person. They can also be reported by sending an email to the Board at: board@pridebasketballnyc.org or by filing out an incident report.
All reports of suspected violations of the Code of Conduct will be confidential and investigated in a timely manner.
Section 5: Progressive Discipline Policy
To ensure a safe environment for the members of the PBLNYC, the Board reserves the right to take disciplinary action against any player who violates Sections 1-3 or who the Board deems to be a threat to the safety and security of the PBLNYC, its Board, players, officials, sponsors, partners, vendors, volunteers, or spectators.
The following steps outline the PBLNYC's Progressive Discipline Policy (the Policy):
1. First Offense (Warning): If the Board finds that an PBLNYC player is behaving contrary to the Code of Conduct, they will receive a warning letter via email from the Board. Additionally, a hard copy will be kept on file. In certain cases in which Code of Conduct first offenses are deemed excessive, the Board reserves the right to issue additional penalties (including suspensions) in addition to a written warning. These must be decided by a quorum in accordance with the PBLNYC's By-Laws.
2. Second Offense (Suspension): If the player commits a second offense, they will be suspended for the following two games. The player will receive notification of the suspension via email from the Board. Additionally, a hard copy will be kept on file. A player who is suspended is not eligible for a refund or partial refund of fees nor shall they be allowed to attend the two games for which they are suspended.
a. If the conduct occurred during the last game of the season, and if the player is a member of a playoff team, the suspension will carry over into the playoffs.
b. If the conduct occurred during the last game of the season, and if the player is not a member of a playoff team, the suspension will carry over into the next regular season of the PBLNYC in which the player is a participant.
3. Third Offense (Expulsion): If a player who has been suspended continues to behave in a manner that violates the Code of Conduct, the player will be expelled immediately. A player who is expelled is not eligible for a refund or partial refund of fees nor shall they be allowed to attend any game or PBLNYC-sponsored function. The player will receive notification of the expulsion via email from the Board. Additionally, a hard copy will be kept on file.
a. A player who has been expelled from the PBLNYC may petition the Board for probationary reinstatement two full seasons after the season in which the player was expelled. For example, if a player was expelled during the Fall 2013 season, the player shall be required to sit out the Spring 2014 and Fall 2014 seasons with their petition for probationary reinstatement not being valid until the Spring 2015 season.
b. To apply for probationary reinstatement, the player must send an email to the Board (board@pridebasketballnyc.org) no later than two weeks prior to the end of registration for the season in which they are requesting to be reinstated. The player must specify why they deserve to be reinstated.
WARNINGS AND SUSPENSIONS WILL REMAIN ON RECORD AND ACTIVE FOR TWO FULL SEASONS AFTER THE SEASON IN WHICH THE PLAYER WAS DISCIPLINED. THEREAFTER, ALL WARNINGS AND SUSPENSIONS WILL BE EXPUNGED.
Section 6: Action taken by the Board
All warnings, suspensions, or expulsions issued under the Policy or this Code of Conduct by the Board against a player must be decided by a quorum in accordance with the PBLNYC's By-Laws. Once a violation of the Code of Conduct has been fully presented to the Board, the Board will be given twenty-four (24) hours to vote. All decisions by the Board related to the Policy or this Code of Conduct are final and cannot be appealed.
Additionally, this Code of Conduct may not provide an exhaustive list of all actions detrimental to the PBLNYC, its Board, players, officials, sponsors, partners, vendors, volunteers, and spectators. Thus, the Board reserves the right to permanently expel any player, at any time, at its sole discretion.
Section 7: Expected conduct of captains
As representatives of the PBLNYC and spokespersons for their individual team, it is doubly important that captains and alternate captains be held to the highest level of conduct as they set the example for the team. If a captain or alternate captain is suspended, they will be removed from their position. The Board will then appoint a new captain or alternate captain for their specific team.
This Code of Conduct is effective June 5, 2019.