The CSIA is committed to providing a positive and respectful environment in which everyone can participate safely in the sport. Therefore, we introduced last March the CSIA ombuds service, which offers our members, course conductors, staff and volunteers an independent and confidential avenue to talk about concerns and explore possible options to facilitate conflict resolution. This office strives to promote a fair, respectful, inclusive, and supportive culture within the CSIA.
We’ve also worked on a review of our code of conduct and workplace harassment policy, which have recently been approved by the board. These new policies will replace old ones. Stay tuned for announcement of a webinar to better understand these revised policies.
Please read on below more information related to the CSIA ombuds office, assumed by JustEquitable, as well as the new code of conduct that will guide us all and the new policy that applies to CSIA staff, course conductors and volunteers.
Julie Boncompain and Brent Epperson from JustEquitable
What is an ombuds?
An Ombuds—also known as ombudsman, ombudsperson, or ombud—is a conflict resolution professional who listens to concerns, explores options, offers advice, and makes recommendations to ensure the fairness of processes and decisions.
Ombuds services are confidential, independent, and impartial.
When should I contact the CSIA Ombuds?
You can contact the Ombuds team to discuss any workplace, membership, or training issue and options for resolving them within CSIA. The CSIA ombuds can help with issues or disputes between members of the ski instructor community, including poor communication, bullying, harassment, discrimination, or other unprofessional behaviours—big or small, complex or straightforward. The CSIA Ombuds also keeps track of trends and anonymously identifies issues of systemic unfairness to CSIA leadership.
Don’t wait until an issue has started to impact your work or your life. Reach out early!
Conflict is commonplace. Whether it’s a disagreement with a colleague, a ski instructor, or a member, or confusion about a policy or decision, our team is ready to listen with compassion and without judgement. We want to help you find the best way forward and empower you to address issues in ways that suit you best.
Connecting with the CSIA Ombuds
Visit CSIA Ombuds Office for information on how to contact us.
We may ask questions to better understand the situation, suggest various strategies (formal and informal), challenge you to expand your point of view, assist with role-playing a difficult conversation, provide real-time feedback, help you to raise concerns to CSIA leadership, or simply offer a space for you to consider your next steps.
If you find yourself thinking, “I wish I could talk to someone about this situation,” remember the CSIA Ombuds team is here.
New CSIA Code of Conduct & Workplace Harassment Policy
Click here to consult the new CSIA Code of Conduct and Resolution Process.
Click here to consult the new Workplace Harassment Policy.