Club Policies
A modern club has an appropriate set of policies, reviewed regularly. Such a club is keenly aware of the duty of care that they have for their members, their visiting friends, family and guests and for members of the public that are either visiting the club or affected by the club’s activities. They know that policies are important and that having a variety of policies and strategy statements in place is important for effective governance and management of their voluntary.
The BGA has already seen that clubs that have implemented a full set of policies enjoy greater membership recruitment and retention, have higher numbers of pre-solo pilots, and are more successful in attracting external grant funding.
The BGA expects clubs to provide a safe environment where gliding can be recognised as a challenging, rewarding and accessible sport available to all. This is against a backdrop of a growing expectation from wider society in general for clubs and voluntary organisations to demonstrate good governance, good management and transparency.
The collection of policies and guidelines is designed to provide support for gliding club management committees. We hope you find them helpful, but they are not necessarily the only way of doing things. The collecton is not designed to give a definitive answer; appropriately qualified professionals should be consulted about your club’s specific situation when required. The BGA Development Team remains available to guide or assist if you need further help.
It is the club’s responsibility to ensure compliance with relevant legislation
Funding for the development and publication of the original policies guidance was secured under a scheme run by the then CCPR (now Sport & Recreation Alliance) on behalf of Sport England which provided funds for projects that improve the infrastructure of sport in the UK so that participation in sport can be increased to help meet Government physical activity targets.
The BGA won funding for this project because helping clubs to improve their effectiveness will help clubs with membership recruitment and retention and hence, increase participation in our sport.
How to draw up, implement and review policies
In all cases, when preparing to adopt a new policy, consideration must be given as to the practical implementation of that policy in that specific gliding club.
The level of approval required (i.e. Committee/Board or AGM) for putting a new policy in place will be set out in the club’s governing document. Depending on the type of policy document, it may be necessary to carry out a consultation with the membership. Policies should be implemented as part of the usual way that the club operates and reviewed on a regular basis so that they develop and grow with the needs of the membership of the club.
Your club’s policies will inter-relate; checking for consistency across the set is essential.
Good policies are simple and straightforward and should cover the procedure to be followed in a given situation, rather than trying to anticipate a precise outcome of a future event. It is not a good idea to have policies that are so prescriptive that they subsequently limit behaviour and leave the club open and vulnerable to a potentially litigious situation. When the club adopts a policy, the club will need to adhere to it and if particular sections cause difficulty, the club should review them. Do not adopt policies that are not possible or practical to adhere to.
Steps:
- Identify the policy area.
- Research the issue as required.
- Look at the specimen policy or guidance notes to see how it relates to the club.
- Amend it as required to draw up the draft policy.
- Consult the membership (and your insurance company where appropriate).
- Iron out glitches.
- Get the final version approved at Committee level.
- If required, get it adopted at a General Meeting.
- Make copies of the policy available.
- Review the policy on a regular basis.
Copies of the club policies should be accessible to ordinary club members and members of the public who want to make a decision about whether to come and fly with you. Ideally, the policies will be on the club’s website.
Reviews
All club policy documents should be reviewed regularly to ensure they still meet legislative, club and member need.
Gliding specific policies and guidelines
These documents are all important.
Many are taken from existing BGA documents and complement each club’s requirement to adhere to the Air Navigation Order and BGA Operational Regulations.
Please note that it is important that each club adopts a Club Child Protection Policy that is in keeping with the BGA Child Protection Policy and Guidelines, even if the club does not run a specific junior scheme.
Affordable Gliding Policy (for CASC registered clubs)
BGA Child Protection Policy and Procedures
BGA Equality & Diversity Policy
Club Membership Form – Temporary
BGA Safety Management System designed to support safe operations by BGA clubs and members.
Club Child Protection Policy and Procedures
See also the Child Protection Policy page for a full range of information and documents
Club Equality and Diversity Policy
Code of Conduct for Club Members
Code of Conduct: Notes for Club Members
Code of Conduct Policy Statement
Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures
Business specific policies and guidelines
The policies and guidelines set out here reflect the business aspects and nature of a volunteer run gliding club.
BGA business risk management guidelines – including potential business threats
Clubs as Employers: HR; Policies; and Personnel Issues
Sample Age Verification Policy
Sample Risk Analysis Pro Forma
Junior specific policies and guidelines
Many of these documents are relevant to running a club’s junior scheme or if the club is seeking to set up systems that will make it possible for them to achieve club accreditation. See also the full information about becoming a BGA Accredited Junior Gliding Centre, and the full list of JGC resources & documents.
Introductory letter for Juniors’ parents and carers
Head Junior Coach role description
Assistant Junior Coach role description
Code of conduct for club volunteers
Code of conduct for junior members
Code of conduct for parents/carers of Juniors
Pre-session Risk Assessment Form for junior sessions
Non-flying incident or accident guidelines