QMA CODE OF CONDUCT
One of the areas of concern in QMA is the unsportsmanlike conduct of a few handlers and drivers. While a Code of Conduct has been in the Rule Book for some time, it has not been enforced on a consistent basis. This conduct, while not limited to, involves rude gestures to judges and race officials, mishandling of children, abusive language directed at race officials and other handlers, willful damage to other's property and other "acts detrimental to QMA ". While the vast majority of those involved in Quarter Midget Racing do not exhibit this kind of behavior, none the less for the few who do, it is not acceptable conduct and will be addresses in Region 9.
While tile QMA Code of Conduct specified in the rule book mostly applies to Grand National races, and this enforcement is intended for Region Events it should apply to all members at all Quarter Midget events and all clubs are encouraged to enforce it at a club level. We will all be better off for it.
Effective immediately, anyone (including drivers) observed displaying the -' kind of conduct referred to the above will be addressed by the Region Director accompanied by the local Club President in an attempt to "convince" them that the kind of conduct they displayed is unacceptable in our sport.
Hopefully this discussion will result in no further displays of the same conduct, but should there be a re-occurrence the Region Board will meet to discuss, and administer, disciplinary action.
REGION 9 CODE OF CONDUCT
This document shall serve the Region 9 Membership by defining behavior
that are unacceptable and the methods of dealing with individual
disciplinary actions that may become necessary.
ALL QMA members and their families are expected to act in a manner
that is a credit to the sport, both on and off of the track facility. Those that
fail to act in a manner that is a credit to the sport are injuring all members
and are hampering the very existence and future of Quarter Midgets of
America.
Therefore:
1. ANY person(s) who at ANY time causes a scene or disturbance before the
general public shall be removed from the lace event and shall become
subject to disciplinary action per this document.
2. ANY abusive, profane, taunting or harassing language, threatening or
obscene gestures, assaults either physical or verbal, or continued
antagonizing behavior towards ANY official, member, opponent or driver
will result in disciplinary action per this document
3. ANY verbal or Physical abuse of a driver by his/her handler will NOT BE TOLERATED, and will result in disciplinary action per this document.
The Region 9 Board of Directors and the Region 9 club organizations do
hereby reserve the right to remove or exclude for cause, ANY person(s)
from any or all activities and/or facilities should the need become necessary.
The clubs board of directors or the Region 9 board of directors (as the case
may be) must agree by simple majority, that the member's actions are
detrimental to the sport of QMA and therefore warrant exclusion.
The decision to apply disciplinary action against any member may be
appealed to the next higher authority, per the provisions of this document.
Disciplinary action policy:
In the event disciplinary action becomes necessary, a progressive
disciplinary program is needed to assure that the member clearly
understands the seriousness of the situation, is given the opportunity to
correct the situation, and knows what will occur if the situation does not
improve. The Region 9 Disciplinary Action Policy contains the following
four levels of disciplinary action.
1. Verbal Counseling- the club officer conducts a verbal counseling with
the member. A note concerning the action is to be filed in the members club
personnel file.
2. Written warning- the clubs board of directors and the Region 9 director will review a written warning with the member, covering the circumstances and the action to be taken if a third violation occurs. A signed copy of the warning will be placed in the members club personnel file and a copy is to be sent to the regional director.
3. Written reprimand with suspension- The clubs Board of Directors and
the Region 9 Director will review the written reprimand with the member
covering the violation and the length of the suspension. The length of the
suspension may very based on the severity of the offense. A signed copy
will be placed in the members club personnel file and a copy will be sent to
the Regional Director.
4. Revocation of Membership- The member will have their club
membership revoked (subject to the procedures in each clubs by-laws) and
the Region 9 Director will submit a written summary of the violations that
caused the revocation of the club membership to the National Board for
further action. A copy of the summary will be placed in the members club
personnel file.
These levels reflect four stages of progressively more serious action. It must
be noted that disciplinary action can commence at anyone of these four
levels. The level of appropriate disciplinary action will be based on the
results of an investigation into the facts surrounding the situation by the
member's home club Board of Directors (or the Region 9 Board of Directors
as the Case may be).
Appeals Process:
Every disciplined member has the right to appeal the decision of their
home club Board of Directors to the Region 9 board of Directors. The
appeals process at the region level shall take no more than 2 weeks from the
date of the incident. Should the Region 9 Board of Directors uphold the
local clubs decision, the member has the right to appeal the decision to the
National Board of Directors.
At the member's request, the President of the member's home club will
contact the Regional Director to inform the Regional Board of Directors of
the members request for an appeal. The regional Director will then inform
the remainder of the Regional Board of Directors and set a date to hear the
members appeal.
The Regional Board of Directors will then hear the member's case or
refer the case to the National Board of Directors as the Regional Board
deems necessary. Should the Region 9 Board of Directors uphold the local
clubs decision, the regional director, at the request of the affected member,
will contact the national board of directors to inform them of the members
request for higher appeal. The national board will then have the ultimate
authority over the member's case and decision.
