Complaints Policy

ST FINIANS GAA CLUB

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Revised December, 2020

Objective

This process aims to provide an effective complaints procedure to ensure the efficient,

transparent and fair processing of complaints made against officers, mentors, managers,

members (playing or non-playing) and supporters of the Club. Where appropriate, the Club

encourages anyone who might be contemplating raising a complaint through this process to

attempt to resolve the issue directly with the subject of the complaint, rather than invoking this

procedure.

Scope

This complaints and appeals process covers all written complaints made against officers,

officials, mentors, managers, members (playing or non-playing) and supporters of the Club. It

is envisaged that this will cover allegations of misconduct, bullying, intimidation, inappropriate

behaviour and damage to property that impinge on the operation of the Club. Sources of

such complaints might include other members, members of the public, County Board,

Executive and other committees and statutory bodies. Allegations of abuse are excluded

from this process. Any such allegations will be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines

published for this purpose by Cumman Lúthchleas Gael.

Complaints

All complaints that are to be covered by this process must be submitted in writing to the Club

Secretary – verbal complaints will not be accepted. Complaints should be made as soon as

practicable after the incident that gave rise to the complaint.

Conduct Committee

The Executive will, each year establish and maintain a Conduct Committee of four members

who are not members of the Executive and one member of the Executive. In order for a

meeting to be valid a quorum of three members and one member of the Executive must be

present. These will have a background in the main areas of Club activities (adult games,

male & female, juvenile games) but these members need not necessarily have current

involvement in these areas. The Committee will appoint its own Chairperson.

If a conflict of interest exists for any member of the Committee in dealing with a complaint, the

Club Chairperson in consultation with the officers will appoint a replacement for that

investigation only.

Process

General

Where the subject of a complaint, or other parties involved in the investigation of a

complaint are less than 18 years old, all communication will be directed to the parents or guardians, (where joint guardians are involved, both should be contacted, and if

possible, agreement sought to deal with one only).

While it is not practical to specify timescales for each stage of the process, it is

required that all actions are completed as expeditiously as possible. It is expected

that apart from exceptional circumstances, the complaint should be concluded, and

any resulting actions decided within three months of initiation.

At the conclusion of its investigation, the Conduct Committee will prepare an agreed

report outlining the complaint, evidence heard and its conclusions and

recommendations. At the conclusion of the investigation, this report will be passed to

the Club Secretary.

All members of the Club are required to co-operate with the Conduct Committee in

their conduct of an investigation. The report of the conduct committee into any

complaint may also detail any instances where this might not be forthcoming. The

Executive will be free to take any action believed appropriate on foot of such a report

without the need to initiate a formal complaint.

The Club Secretary will retain records of all investigations. Records will be held for

three years from the conclusion of the investigation. Records of old investigations will

be passed to the incoming Club Secretary following each AGM.

Sequence

1. When the Club Secretary receives a written complaint, it will be promptly

acknowledged in writing. The complainant will be advised of the Club procedure

which will be available on the Club website.

2. The Secretary refers the complaint to the chairperson of the Conduct Committee.

3. The chairperson of the conduct committee (or any member designated by the

chairperson) advises the subject of the complaint of the allegation and invites the

member about whom the complaint has been made to meet with the conduct

committee.

4. The conduct committee may inquire into any matters it deems relevant to the complaint

and require the complainant, and any other member(s) it considers necessary to its

investigation, to meet with the Committee.

5. The conduct committee, having carried out its investigation of the complaint, prepares

an agreed report and recommendation for the Executive.

6. The Executive decides on the sanction to apply, if any, and advises the subject of this

in writing. This will include the reasons for applying the chosen sanction. The subject

is also advised of the appeal procedure as provided for in the Club Constitution.

Appeal

As per rule 4(k) (1) of the Club Constitution any full member who has been expelled,

suspended, warned or fined by the Executive Committee or whose rights of membership

has been withheld, restricted or suspended by a decision of the Executive committee, shall

have the right to appeal to the relevant committee of the County Board, within seven days

of being notified of such decision.

The Executive Committee may at its discretion accede to a request to have any sanction set aside until an appeal has been conducted.

River Valley, Swords, Co. Dublin. Telephone: (01) 8132 656

Email: stfiniansgaaclubswords@gmail.com www.stfinians.com