“Organization” refers to: Williams Lake Blue Fins 

Approved by: Williams Lake Blue Fins designated club representative(s) 

Definitions 1. The following term has this meaning in this Policy: a) “Individuals” – All categories of membership defined in the Organization’s Bylaws, as well as all individuals employed by, or engaged in activities with, the Organization including, but not limited to, athletes, coaches, convenors, referees, officials, volunteers, managers, administrators, committee members, and Directors and Officers of the Organization 

Purpose 2. The Organization supports the principles of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and is committed to the techniques of negotiation, facilitation, and mediation as effective ways to resolve disputes. Alternate Dispute Resolution also avoids the uncertainty, costs, and other negative effects associated with lengthy appeals or complaints, or with litigation. 

3. The Organization encourages all Individuals to communicate openly, collaborate, and use problem-solving and negotiation techniques to resolve their differences. The Organization believes that negotiated settlements are usually preferable to outcomes resolved through other dispute resolution techniques. Negotiated resolutions to disputes with and among Individuals are strongly encouraged. 

Application of this Policy 4. This Policy applies to all Individuals. 

5. Opportunities for Alternate Dispute Resolution may be pursued at any point in a dispute when all parties to the dispute agree that such a course of action would be mutually beneficial.

Filing a Dispute 6. Any Individual may file a dispute with the Organization. The dispute must be in writing and signed and must be filed within fourteen (14) days of the alleged incident or decision. Anonymous disputes may be accepted at the sole discretion of the Organization. 

7. A dispute filed outside of the fourteen (14) day period must provide a written statement giving reasons for an exemption to this limitation. The decision to accept, or not accept, the dispute outside of the fourteen (14) day period will be at the sole discretion of the Organization. This decision may not be appealed. 

Facilitation and Mediation 8. The dispute will first be referred to the Organization’s President (or designate) for review, with the objective of resolving the dispute via Alternate Dispute Resolution and/or mediation. 

9. If all parties to a dispute agree to Alternate Dispute Resolution, a mediator or facilitator, acceptable to all parties, shall be appointed to mediate or facilitate the dispute. 

10. The mediator or facilitator shall decide the format under which the dispute shall be mediated or facilitated and shall specify a deadline before which the parties must reach a negotiated decision. 

11. Should a negotiated decision be reached, the decision shall be reported to, and approved by, the Organization. Any actions that are to take place as a result of the decision shall be enacted on the timelines specified by the negotiated decision, pending the Organization’s approval. 

12. Should a negotiated decision not be reached by the deadline specified by the mediator or facilitator at the start of the process, or if the parties to the dispute do not agree to Alternate Dispute Resolution, the dispute shall be considered under the appropriate section of the Organization’s Discipline and Complaints Policy. 

13. The costs of mediation and facilitation will be shared equally by the parties. 

Final and Binding 

14. Any negotiated decision will be binding on the parties. Negotiated decisions may not be appealed. 

15. No action or legal proceeding will be commenced against the Organization or its Individuals in respect of a dispute, unless the Organization has refused or failed to provide or abide by the dispute resolution processes set out in its governing documents.