Constitution

UK Hang Gliding Competitions
http://www.rogallo.co.uk
Compiled by the Hang Gliding Competitions Panel, 1 April 2009.

1. CONSTITUTION

1.1 RESPONSIBILITY FOR HANG GLIDING COMPETITIONS

1.1.1 MANAGEMENT

Management of all UK national hang gliding competitions is exercised by the Hang Gliding Competitions Panel (the Panel) on behalf of the Executive Board of the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (Exec). The Panel is responsible for the fair, effective and impartial administration of UK hang gliding competitions, the selection of national teams and any UK representation at other international hang gliding events.

1.1.2 COMMUNICATIONS

Communications between the Panel and Exec will normally by via the BHPA Competition Director.

1.1.3 DELEGATION

The Panel may delegate the management of specific competitions to other bodies within the BHPA but will retain responsibility for the fair, effective and impartial administration of those competitions.

1.1.4 INTER CLUB COMPETITION

The management of competitions at club level shall remain the responsibility of the BHPA clubs concerned.

1.2 THE HANG GLIDING COMPETITIONS PANEL

1.2.1 PANEL MEMBERS

The Panel shall consist of the following:
• A CHAIRMAN - responsible to the Panel and exec, elected from the Panel subject to approval by Exec.
• A VICE CHAIRMAN - appointed by the Panel from elected members.
• A SECRETARY - appointed by the Panel.
• A TREASURER - appointed by the Panel from BHPA members.
• Other members as considered necessary by the Panel.

1.2.2 RESPONSIBILITIES

Rules concerning election to the Panel, voting and responsibilities of certain Panel members are in Chapter 2.

1.3 THIS CONSTITUTION

A 2/3rds (rounded up) majority of panel members eligible to vote shall be required to approve changes to this constitution i.e. to Chapter 1 of this document.

1.4 NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION

Rules and guidance for selection can be found in Chapter 5 of this handbook.

2. Panel Officers & Committees

2.1 SERVICE ON THE COMPETITIONS PANEL

2.1.1 ELIGIBILITY

Those eligible for election to the Panel are British Open Hang Gliding Series (BOS) or National Hang Gliding Championship (Nationals) officials or those pilots who have entered all meets in the current or most recent year’s BOS or have competed in the most recent hang gliding nationals.

2.1.2 ROTATION OF MEMBERS

In September each year 2 members of the Panel shall stand down and elections will be held for replacements. If insufficient panel members stand down voluntarily the members who have served the longest period since election will be considered to have stood down from the Panel. Any pilot wishing to be considered for a place on the Panel should put himself forward to the Chairman or Secretary by 1st September or at such other time as volunteers are called for; retiring panel members are eligible to stand for re-election.

2.1.3 VACANCIES

In the event of vacancies occurring for positions within the Panel other than at the end of a competition season the Chairman or Secretary will announce this and endeavour to find suitable people to cover the responsibilities at the earliest opportunity.

2.1.4 ELECTION OF MEMBERS

Notice of elections to the Panel must be given by the Chairman or Secretary on the competitions email list a minimum of 14 days in advance. Those eligible to vote are those pilots who have entered all meets in the current or the most recent Open Series or have competed in the most recent hang gliding national championship. Election votes may be cast in person or by email or by a combination of both depending upon the timing of the elections and the decision of the Panel. The Secretary shall prepare a list of those eligible to vote and record votes cast in order to avoid duplication. The candidates with the highest number of votes shall be elected to the vacant posts.

2.1.5 PANEL DECISIONS

It is anticipated that most panel decisions will be arrived at by consensus but when a vote is needed all elected panel members and those appointed before 31 December 2008 shall have an equal vote on panel decisions. Except where stated elsewhere in these rules a simple majority is required to approve a decision; if there are equal numbers of votes for and against a proposal the Chairman shall cast the deciding vote.

2.1.6 QUORUM

Except where specified otherwise in these rules 60% of current panel members shall be present or consulted for panel decisions to be valid.

2.1.7 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

A possible conflict of interest is any situation in which a person’s judgments or decisions might be influenced by relations that person has with other persons or organizations that might be affected (positively or negatively) by those judgments or decisions. The conflict becomes real if the person fails to reveal the potential for conflict and then expresses an opinion or makes a decision in favour of, or against, the person or organization concerned, or accepts any benefit from that person or organization.
Conflicts of interest may arise as a result of direct personal relations, or indirectly, through the interests of a closely related third person (spouse, partner, dependent etc).
Any person to whom this applies must make full disclosure to the panel and should not take part in the discussion or decision making process for the relevant matter.
Additional rules concerning conflicts of interest in team selection may be found in the relevant section of these rules.

2.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PANEL MEMBERS

All Panel members have a responsibility to act and make decisions for the benefit of the BHPA and those BHPA pilots competing in competitions. Such decisions shall not conflict in principle with the rules and guidelines of the BHPA.

2.2.1 CHAIRMAN

The Chairman is responsible for convening panel meetings, direction and overall supervision of panel officers. He approves the minutes of panel meetings.

2.2.2 VICE CHAIRMAN

The Vice Chairman is responsible for deputising for the Chairman when necessary.

2.2.3 SECRETARY

The Secretary is responsible for recording minutes of Panel meetings and publishing these after approval.

2.2.4 TREASURER

The Treasurer is responsible for managing panel finances in accordance with decisions made by the Panel and to provide annual reports to the panel at the AGM (also known as the annual planning meeting) for each year ending 30th September.

2.3 OTHER MEMBERS

In addition to those specified above the Panel currently appoints the following individuals and committees to exercise safe and fair management of national competitions:

2.3.1 MEET DIRECTOR (MD)

He is appointed by and responsible to the Panel. Responsible for the operational management of the Nationals and BOS competitions including setting the day's task after consultation with the Task Advisory Committee and subject to ratification by the Safety Officer. Responsible for stopping or suspending a task if conditions become dangerous and the Safety Committee is not available. The MD should always have a radio tuned to the competition safety frequency while a task is in progress.

2.3.2 SAFETY OFFICER

The head of the Safety Committee; appointed by the Panel and if not a panel member is invited to attend panel meetings other than selection meetings. Responsible for ensuring all necessary accident/incident reports are submitted to the BHPA Office. Advises the MD on task safety before each task is set and reports to the Panel on any adverse trends in competition safety.

2.3.3 COMPETITION LOCAL ORGANISER

This member is responsible for the organisation of sites, accommodation, access to meteorological information and local aspects of the efficient setting up of a competition. He works with the Meet Director and responsible to and appointed by the Panel. This responsibility may be delegated to a person who is not a current panel member.

2.3.4 METEOROLOGICAL OFFICER

Responsible for collating the best available weather forecast and ensuring this is briefed to competitors before the task is set. This information must also be available to the TC, SC and MD.

2.3.5 SCORER AND MARSHALS

Suitably experienced people appointed by the Panel to carry out necessary scoring and organisational tasks in a fair and impartial manner, responsible to the Meet Director and the Panel. These responsibilities may be delegated to persons who are not current panel members.

2.3.6 JURY PRESIDENT

Previously known as the Appeals Chairman, he or she is the independent arbiter in any dispute resulting in a formal protest and an automatic party to any decisions taken; charged with selecting two non-competing persons to form a panel and achieve a consensus with them over any dispute. Appointed by the Panel Chairman; the Jury President should not normally change once a competition has begun. This responsibility may be delegated to a person who is not a current panel member.

2.4 COMMITTEES

2.4.1 SAFETY COMMITTEE (SC)

The Safety Committee is responsible to and appointed by the Panel. It will have 5 members, be headed by the Safety Officer and other members should be selected to give a broad range of experience in competition flying. Temporary members of the SC may be appointed if permanent members are unavailable. No person shall be a member of both the TAC and the SC.

2.4.2 TASK ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC)

A maximum of 3 pilots selected by the Panel Chairman or the Meet Director from a pool of suitable pilots; every effort should be made to include a knowledgeable local pilot. The TAC is responsible for advising the MD on suitable tasks for the day.

2.4.3 CURRENT YEAR APPOINTMENTS

A list of current panel members and the various committees can be found on the competitions website at http://rogallo.co.uk/comps-panel.

3. National Competitions

3.1 THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The National Championship is intended to:

• Select British Champions in each FAI class when there are a minimum of five pilots wishing to compete in that class.
• Select the British Women's Champion.
• Encourage a spirit of sportsmanship among pilots.
• Provide a safe and fair environment in which UK pilots can develop the skills and gain the experience necessary for successful participation in international competition.
• Provide a pool of pilots from which teams for international events may be selected.

3.2 THE BRITISH OPEN SERIES

The British Open Series is intended to provide a safe and fair environment in which UK pilots can develop the skills and gain the experience necessary for a successful transition from club competition to national championship standards.

3.3 RULES

Detailed rules for both the Nationals and the BOS are published separately. These may be varied if local conditions necessitate this but a basic principle shall be that no additional rule or variation will be retroactive.
Rules for the Nationals will be based upon Section 7A of the FAI Sporting Code but may be less onerous if so decided by the panel.
The BOS rules should be simpler in order to help in making these competitions less intimidating for pilots new to this level of competition.

4. Complaints and Protests

4.1 GENERAL

These rules shall apply to all competitions run by the Panel.

4.2 COMPLAINTS

Any complaint about scoring must be in writing and submitted to the Meet Director or Scorer by noon the day following that on which the task is flown. Complaints about other aspects of the competition must also be in writing and submitted by noon the day following the decision or event giving rise to the complaint. On the last day the deadline for all complaints shall be one hour after the results are published.

If the complaint is not dealt with to the satisfaction of the complainant he may submit a protest.

4.3 PROTESTS

Protests must be made in writing and handed with the fee specified in the competition rules to the Competitions Panel Chairman who will appoint a Jury President; the President will appoint a further two jury members.

If a protest is about scoring it must be made by noon on the day following rejection of the complaint except on the penultimate day when the deadline is noon on the following day irrespective of the time of rejection of the complain and on the last day when the deadline for both protests is 90 minutes hours after the official scores are posted. Other protests must also comply with these deadlines. The Meet Director or Competitions Panel Chairman may allow an extension of this period where appropriate.

4.4 JURY ACTION

Protests will be considered by the jury at the earliest possible opportunity and the jury must make a judgement on the day the protest is heard. The protesting pilot should have his score recorded but set aside, pending the result of the protest.

If the protest is lost, the pilot forfeits the protest fee which will go to competition funds. If the protest succeeds, the pilot recovers the fee.

The result of the protest must be given in writing to the Meet Director who will inform the protesting pilot and the Competitions Panel Chairman.

The Meet Director may appeal to the Competitions Panel if he believes the Jury has made a decision which is outside it's remit or contrary to the rules published in this document.

Further guidance on protest procedures and submissions is given at Appendix C.

5. NATIONAL TEAMS

5.1 TEAM SELECTION

5.1.1 SELECTORS

All members of the Competitions Panel are automatically members of the Selection Panel. In addition the panel may invite the team manager and pilots who have already been selected for consultation on remaining selections.

5.1.2 QUORUM

The Panel will be quorate if 2/3rd (rounded up) of the Panel are present and a simple majority will be required to decide selections. The Panel shall still be considered quorate if some members withdraw for part of the selection process under 5.2.

5.2 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Panel members who are also candidates for the team being selected should withdraw from the panel. If they are selected for the team they may then return and take a full part in the selection process; this also applies to any other panel member with a conflict of interest as defined at 2.1.7.

5.3 GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION

All places will be selected at the discretion of the Panel. Competition attendance by candidates may affect team selection on the basis that others are unable to compete against absentees. All pilots should endeavour to keep the panel secretary apprised of their intentions and availability for selection.

5.4 TEAM MANAGEMENT

When possible a non-flying team manager should be appointed for Category 1 competitions and one member of the team will also be appointed captain. For Category 2 and other international competitions their functions may be combined. A brief for team managers can be found at Appendix B.

5.5 FINANCE

5.5.1 BUDGET

A team budget is intended to cover the essentials e.g. vehicle hire, travel costs, accommodation and an approximate 50% contribution towards daily food costs. The standard of accommodation and whether or not a vehicle is hired etc. must be determined by the size of the budget figure.
Team Managers should aim to bring back unspent budget money rather than to spend the entire budget.

5.5.2 TEAM VEHICLES

As a guide, team members who make a personal vehicle available as a team vehicle should be compensated by 12p per mile in addition to fuel costs while the vehicle is employed on team duties.

5.5.3 PRIZE MONEY

Unless agreed otherwise by the Competitions Panel, prize money won by members of officially funded teams at International Competitions will be split between the pilot(s) and competition funds on a 50/50 basis.

Appendix A – Team Manager’s Brief

A.1 RESPONSIBILITIES

The following are the personal responsibility of the Team Manager.

A.2 STANDARDS

To ensure that the efforts of all members of the Team are directed towards winning while at the same time maintaining the highest standards of sportsmanship. The BHPA expects its pilots to "play hard but fair", upholding the good name of British sportsmen at all times. With this in mind, you must ensure an appropriate level of discipline and moral behaviour, regarding your party as ambassadors of Great Britain.

A.3 UNIFORMS

To organise suitable clothing for FAI Category 1 Competition ceremonies.

A.4 INSIGNIA

To ensure British Team Insignia are presented to those members of your team who have received their first selection for Britain.

A.5 LOGISTICS & ADMINISTRATION

To organise the logistics of the whole trip, including insurance cover. To arrange medical cover using EEC reciprocal hospital facilities where possible but adding repatriation facilities.

A.6 DOCUMENTATION

To ensure that all necessary documentation required by the FAI and the organiser is held by team pilots.

A.7 ITINERARY

To advise the itinerary and composition of the squad to: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Cultural Relations dept., Great George St, London, SW1A 2AH

A.8 SPONSORSHIP

If sponsors are involved, to keep their interests to the fore.

A.9 RESULTS

To advise competition results regularly to the Competitions Panel PR Officer.

A.10 PUBLICITY

To offer an article on the competition to the Skywings editor.

A.11 EXPENDITURE & ACCOUNTING

(a) To keep expenditure within budget. To obtain cash float/reimbursement from the Treasurer. To provide brief details of expenditure (with VAT receipts) under main headings of Travel, Accommodation, other.

(b) To collect pilot stakes before leaving the UK and send to the Treasurer; these are not part of the team budget. Prize money, if any, is to be shared equally between the pilot and the Hang Gliding Competitions account.

Appendix B - Guidelines for Protests

B.1 FOR THE APPELLANT

B1.1 You should make it clear

what you are protesting against e.g. against a decision that you infringed a rule (or rules) or against the penalty awarded for that infringement (10% points, DSQ etc).

B1.2 It may be that you wish to protest

both e.g. "I protest against the decision that I infringed Rule ##. In addition I believe the penalty awarded to be too severe if I had infringed that rule".

B1.3 It is possible to protest against a decision

concerning another pilot only if that decision or the associated penalty affects your own position or score.

B1.4 If you are protesting against more

than one thing you should keep your reasons, explanations etc. separate so as to assist the Jury.

B1.5 For each element of your protest you should state (where applicable):

(a) The reason you believe the decision or penalty is wrong (quoting Rule numbers if they support your case). E.g. it may be that the penalty is at variance with the guidance given in the rule book or that you believe another pilot has been treated differently in similar circumstances.

(b) Any witnesses you believe will support your version of events.

B1.6 Where possible you should

submit written evidence from any supporting witnesses with your protest.

B.2 FOR THE JURY PRESIDENT

bB2.1 First check that the protest

has been received within the time specified in Sect 1.9.

B2.2 You should consider the matters

under protest solely in the light of the rules and guidance contained in this rule book. After all, the other pilots are obeying the rules as they are published.

B2.3 You should consider each element

of a protest separately. It is possible that one element may be sustainable and another misconceived.

B2.4 You may not set aside a ruling

or penalty which is not the subject of a protest i.e. if the protest is only against the ruling or judgement you may not alter the penalty given and if the appeal is only against the penalty you may not set aside the judgement.

B2.5 Where a protest is against

a decision or penalty imposed by the Meet Director (as most inevitably will be) you should invite him to justify his actions, either verbally or in a writing for consideration by the Jury.

B2.6 You should examine the clarity

of the rule which has been infringed and comment upon this if you feel this to be necessary.

B2.7 You should ensure that the penalty

given is in line with, firstly the guidance in the rule book and secondly with precedent. Also that there has been equal treatment in the awarding of penalties.

B2.8 You should set out in writing

your judgement on each element of the protest, making clear whether each is accepted or rejected, giving your reasons for your decisions and, in cases where a protest is upheld, stating what should be done to right the matter. These should be signed and dated by all members of the Jury.