Code of Conduct for Aerial Drone Competitions

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Updated 10/22/2024

The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation considers the positive, respectful, and ethical conduct of all event participants and attendees an important and essential component of all REC Foundation-sanctioned events.

Behavior and Ethical Standards

We expect the following behavior and ethical standards at all REC Foundation-sanctioned events:

  • Act with integrity, honesty, and reliability
  • Behave in a respectful and professional manner with all event participants, attendees, and RECF staff members
  • Exhibit maturity and professionalism when dealing with difficult and stressful situations
  • Respect individual differences
  • Respect the facility and equipment provided at an event
  • Follow all rules as listed in the current game manual(s)
  • Operate as student-centered teams according to the Student Centered Policy
  • Prioritize safety in actions and design
  • Demonstrate good sportsmanship, which includes supporting your alliance partners

These expectations apply to, but are not limited to team members, mentors, parents, any adult associated with a team, Event Partners, and volunteers. The Code of Conduct may also apply to behavior outside of REC Foundation-sanctioned events where inappropriate actions are related to an event or participating individuals. 

Judges will consider team conduct and ethics when determining awards. 

Repeated or egregious violations of the expectations in this policy may result in consequences up to the disqualification of the team or organization from the current event and/or future events, and potentially removal from the program after review by the REC Foundation.

Notes:

  • It is REC Foundation policy that REC Foundation staff may only interact with adults during the rules and conduct violations resolution process. In cases where the primary coach is determined to be a minor, REC Foundation staff will insist upon communicating with an adult (and the team will be required to change their registered primary coach).
  • Where a team is found to have committed a serious violation, the team may not retain the benefits obtained as a result of the violation, such as a qualification to higher level of competition.
  • The entire process is anonymous, and the reporting party will not be made aware of the outcome of the report.

Rules and Conduct Committee

The Rules and Conduct Committee (RCC) is composed of anonymous members from around the world to ensure consistent and impartial resolution. The committee consists of REC Foundation employees with diverse professional backgrounds, based both across the United States and internationally.

Violation Resolution Process

The REC Foundation Code of Conduct Violation Resolution Process is outlined in this scenario. This process will be followed in the event of a major rules or Code of Conduct allegation.

Scenario: The Event Partner, Head Referee, and/or Judge Advisor suspect a Code of Conduct Violation. They submit a Code of Conduct report to be reviewed by the REC Foundation Rules and Conduct Committee (RCC). 

Question: Is the reported violation validated?

Answers:

  1. Yes. The RCC will write to the primary team coach listed on Robot Events via email. The email will include a summary of the complaint received as well as a list of relevant rules or section(s) of the Code of Conduct that the allegations, if true, would violate. Possible sanctions will be listed in this email. The email notice will request a response to the allegation within a defined time frame.
  2. No. RCC takes no further action. 

Question: Will there be a sanction?

Answers:

  1. Yes. If sanctions are to be issued, the RCC will write to the primary team coach listed on Robot Events via email. The email will include a summary of the complaint received as well as a list of relevant rules or section(s) of the Code of Conduct violated. The email will also list sanctions being imposed. Notice of the right to appeal sanction(s), and the process to file an appeal, will be included in this email.
  2. No. In cases where the team response has adequately clarified the alleged rules violation such that no sanction or warning is warranted, the RCC will issue a finding to the team that the matter has been resolved. In cases where the violation does not warrant a sanction, but does warrant a formal warning, the RCC will issue a written warning.

Question: Is there an appeal?

Answers:

  1. Yes. The RCC  will review the appeal and make a recommendation to the CEO who will make the final determination to uphold, overturn, or modify the imposed sanction. Notifications will be made in writing once the CEO makes a final decision, which should be within 14 days of receipt of the appeal. Once this decision is issued the matter is closed and not subject to further review or discussion.
  2. No. The sanction remains and the matter is closed.
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