GOVERNANCE

Melbourne Scooter Club's Governance Framework and Board protocols mirror Skate Australia's Constitution and Board Code of Conduct. The governance structure is essential to ensure the club operates efficiently, responsibly, and in a manner that serves the interests of its members, partners and stakeholders.

MSC's Governance Framework includes:

1. Definitions and Interpretations
   • Key terms defined for clarity.
   • Interpretations aligned with Corporations Act and Skate Australia's specific context.
2. Objects
   • Emphasise fostering and managing scooter sports in Australia.
   • Encourage participation and development of facilities.
   • Ensure high standards and promote commercial and public recognition.
3. Powers
   • MSC vested with powers for the administration and promotion of scooter sports, in line with Skate Australia's structure.
4. Income and Property of the Club
   • Income and property solely for promoting MSC's objectives.
   • No direct monetary benefits to members except under defined circumstances.
5. Membership
   • Various categories: Junior, Youth and Pro.
   • Admission criteria, rights, and obligations specified on our Member page.
   • Provision of member event insurance.
6. Cessation of Membership
   • Conditions under which membership ceases.
   • Rights and liabilities upon cessation detailed.
7. Grievances and Discipline
   • Framework for managing member grievances and disciplinary actions.
8. Termination of Partnerships
   • Procedures for terminating membership of Member States.
9. Fees and Subscriptions
   • Structure for determining and managing fees and subscriptions.
10. General Meetings
    • Procedures for Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and other general meetings.
    • Rules regarding notice, quorum, and conduct of meetings.
11. Proceedings at General Meetings
    • Voting processes and decision-making procedures.
12. Votes of Members
    • Voting rights and procedures for different member categories.
13. Board Members
    • Composition, election, and tenure of board members.
    • Specific criteria for eligibility and removal.
14. Powers and Duties of the Board
    • Board's management responsibilities and powers.
    • Code of conduct and strategic planning obligations.
15. Proceedings of the Board
    • Guidelines for board meetings, including quorum, voting, and decision-making.
16. Virtual Meetings
    • Provisions for conducting confidential virtual meetings.
17. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
    • Appointment, powers, and duties of the CEO should MSC choose to appoint one.
18. Board Secretary
    • Role and responsibilities of the Company Secretary.
19. Committees
    • Formation and functioning of various committees including but not limited to Event Committee and Rider Committee.
20. Policies
    • Process for creating and amending policies.
21. Inspection of Records
    • Rights regarding the inspection of Club records.
22. Accounts
    • Guidelines for maintaining and auditing accounts.
23. Service of Documents
    • Procedures for serving documents to and by the Club.
24. Indemnity
    • Indemnity provisions for officers and members.
25. Winding Up
    • Processes for winding up the Club, including the distribution of assets.

This summary encapsulates the key elements of governance as per Skate Australia's Constitution, tailored to the context of the Melbourne Scooter Club. It offers a comprehensive governance framework, ensuring effective management and adherence to legal and ethical standards.

Board Code of Conduct

Role of the Board

• Trusteeship: The MSC Board acts as a trustee for its members, partners and stakeholders, focusing on the organisation's viability, integrity and effectiveness.
• Strategic Direction: It sets the strategic direction, core values, and ethical framework.
• Management: Responsibilities include appointing, evaluating, and managing the committees and appointees.
• Performance Monitoring: The board monitors both financial and non-financial performance, approving financial audits and ensuring internal control systems are effective.
• Risk Management: Identifying and managing financial and non-financial risks is a key role.
• Compliance: Ensuring compliance with Australian laws, MSC codes of conduct, and standards of behaviour.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The board provides avenues for partner and stakeholder input into strategic directions.
• Evaluation: Regular performance evaluation of Directors, Board, and Chair.

Role of Directors

• Custodianship: Directors are seen as temporary custodians of the sport, with legal and ethical obligations to act in the organisation's best interest.
• Diversity and Experience: Directors bring diverse views, skills, and experiences, crucial for the organisation's growth.
• Decision Making: Decisions are made for the betterment of MSC, avoiding self or vested interests.

Code of Conduct Declaration

1. Fiduciary Duty: Acknowledging a legal duty of trust and loyalty to MSC.
2. Good Faith: Acting with care, diligence, and in the organisation's best interest.
3. Meeting Conduct: Engaging in Board meetings responsibly, maintaining confidentiality and respect for meeting participants.
4. Greater Good: Prioritising the sport's and organisation's interests over personal or other bodies' interests.
5. Conflict of Interest: Disclosing and appropriately managing any conflicts of interest.
6. Confidentiality: Upholding the confidentiality of Board discussions.
7. Positive Culture: Contributing to a positive board behaviour and culture.
8. Ambassador Role: Representing MSC positively and uniformly in discussions with partners, Skate Australia and World Skate.
9. Non-Operational Role: Recognising that all operational activities are managed by the Board.
10. Representation: Not representing any other skate body at MSC forums.

Compliance and Integrity

• Directors must comply with various legal and ethical standards.
• Failure to uphold these standards can result in removal from the board.

Integrity Guidelines

Melbourne Scooter Club is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, aligning with Skate Australia and Sport Integrity Australia's guidelines. This commitment extends from grassroots support for beginners through to professional competition levels, ensuring ethical compliance in all aspects of the scooter sector of Action Sports.

MSC Integrity guidelines are as follows:

1. Integrity Policies and Reporting: Skate Australia and Sport Integrity Australia offer a comprehensive set of integrity rules covering areas like anti-doping, child safeguarding, competition manipulation, and drug misuse. MSC adopts these policies, offering clear guidelines and reporting mechanisms for any integrity issues. To read these policies click the links below.
2. Integrity and Pathway Alignment: MSC aligns with Skate Australia and World Skate to offer a progressive pathway for scooter athletes, from beginners to World Championships. This alignment includes adherence to their governance and integrity protocols.
3. Community and Inclusivity Focus: While fostering talent through the athlete pathway, MSC emphasises community engagement and personal development. The organisation encourages participation without pressure, promoting a supportive environment for all, especially encouraging participation of young people and women in the sport.
4. Transparency and Governance: MSC is dedicated to transparent governance, adhering to Skate Australia's Integrity Policy and Sport Integrity Australia's guidelines. This is a pioneering step in the Australian scooter community, setting new standards for integrity, governance and anti-doping.
5. Facilities and Partnerships: Collaborating with Melbourne indoor skateparks - including but not limited to Rampfest, The Shed by YMCA, and Volo - MSC ensures year-round access to quality training and competition facilities. These collaborations are dependent on MSC participants adhering to the rules of each venue outlined in writing at each venue's reception.
6. Anti-Doping Education and Compliance: MSC adheres to strict anti-doping rules, providing resources and education about supplement use, Therapeutic Use Exemption, and the anti-doping process. This includes compliance with the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Anti-Doping Code and safe supplement use.
7. Handling of Integrity Issues: MSC utilises Sport Integrity Australia's independent complaints handling process for any integrity-related concerns. This process allows for formal complaints and anonymous reporting, ensuring a robust and transparent system. Complainants can utilise this site's contact page to outline grievances and trigger the complaint process.
8. Zero Tolerance for Misconduct: There is a strict zero-tolerance policy for any breaches of integrity, including social media bullying. All members are obligated to uphold the integrity of the sport, and clear violations will immediately invalidate MSC membership.

MSC's approach to integrity is serious and clinical, with a zero-tolerance policy for breaches. By aligning with Skate Australia and Sport Integrity Australia, MSC assures its community and participants of its commitment to ethical, safe, and inclusive scooter sports practices.

Please download MSC Integrity guidelines via Skate Australia and Sport Integrity Australia.

WADA's World Anti Doping Code can be downloaded here. Launch WADA's Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL) here.