The RECF Code of Conduct process serves as a safeguard for integrity, fairness, respect, and the well-being of our students and volunteers. Its focus is to protect participants, not punish them.
The RECF Rules & Conduct Committee (RCC) is an anonymous group of RECF staff members from multiple countries, US regions, and professional backgrounds. They receive and investigate Code of Conduct violations, and determine appropriate sanctions on a case-by-case basis.
Basic Steps in the Code of Conduct Reporting Process
This article in the RECF Library describes the entire Code of Conduct Reporting Process. The basic steps in the process are:
- A CoC-related violation is reported during an event.
- Event Partner, Head Referee, and Judge Advisor talk with the coach of the reported team, or with the reported volunteer
- Field Note to Judge Advisor is completed if appropriate
- Event Partner contacts the RSM to decide on a final outcome
- Event Partner, Head Referee, and Judge Advisor notify the volunteer or coach of the final outcome
- Event Partner, Head Referee, or Judge Advisor submits the required form to the RECF.
The Head Referee’s Role in the Code of Conduct Process
A Head Referee may be asked to participate in or lead multiple steps of the Code of Conduct Reporting Process, including:
- Receiving reports from event attendees
- Notifying the Event Partner of CoC-related issues that occur at the field
- Participating in and/or leading discussions with coaches or volunteers
- Recommending appropriate penalties for violations
- Completing or signing a Field Note to Judge Advisor
- Contacting the RSM with reports that involve the Event Partner or their teams
- Completing or assisting with Code of Conduct Violation Reports or Additional Evidence Reports
What Information is Needed to Complete the Code of Conduct Reporting Form?
- Your name and contact information
- Type of violation (G1/G2/G4, etc.), detailed description of the violation (the more details, the better!), and attachments with supporting documentation.
- Team number and program, or individual’s name.
- RSM name.
- RobotEvents code.
- Names of the event’s Event Partner, Head Referee(s), and Judge Advisor.
- Description of the actions taken at the event regarding the violation, including check marks for specific actions.
- Any additional information that will help the RECF RCC understand the report.
What Happens After a Code of Conduct Report is Filed?
- RECF RCC reviews the report and sends an email to the team’s primary coach or the reported adult individual.
- RCC reviews all available information and requests additional information as needed.
- RCC determines what, if any, sanction is appropriate and notifies the team’s primary coach or the reported individual.
- Team or individual has an opportunity to appeal the sanction before a specified deadline.
- Original sanction is applied if not modified during an appeal.
This process is confidential, and information other than notifications to the reported team/individual only flows in one direction: to the RCC. Privacy of reporters’ identities is preserved.
Code of Conduct Resources
RECF Code of Conduct
RECF Student-Centered Policy
Code of Conduct Reporting Process
Code of Conduct Example Scenarios
RECF Youth Protection Policy (includes link to reporting form)
RobotEvents.com/support (to identify a region’s RSM)