A significant update of the By-Laws becomes operable today.   The main changes relate to the Status Rules, regatta cancellation and the Code of Conduct.  The By-Laws have also been updated to ensure the consistent use of terminology and an extended definitions section has been added to make reading easier.   The updated By-Laws are now available on the website and should be read by all Member Clubs.

Rower Grade Scores

Rowing ACT announced on 23 January that commencing from the ANU Regatta on 4 February 2017, Rowing Grade Scores will be used to classify the eligibility of competitive rowers and crew.  The new Status Rules are set out in Part V of the By-Laws (14-25).  They revolve around Grade Racing Categories with each competitive rower receiving a Rowing Grade Score (separate scores for sculling and sweep oar).   The principles of the system, aimed at achieving greater competition, were considered by the Regatta Sub-Committee and will be reviewed prior to the next Season.

Event Cancellation (By-Law 30)

The cancellation provisions for rowing events run by Rowing ACT have been difficult to administer and result in an uncertain financial outcome.  The By-Laws previously provided that the liability for seat fees would arise if the event had not been called off 24 hours prior to the event being held.   However, while officials have worked on the strong presumption that events would proceed, knowing that wind conditions can vary on the day and vary between locations on the Lake, such judgement calls have been questioned and it places a heavy onus on those officials.  In addition, there is significant workload in developing an event program and arranging the associated services, some of which are committed, irrespective of whether it proceeds.   Accordingly, Rowing ACT is now following the practice adopted in NSW of issuing invoices based on the final program.

The Board has confirmed, in the updated By-Laws that any seat-fee penalties, incurred during an event cancelled part-way through, will be waived.

Rowing ACT has left open the discretion of  invoicing at a lower level, or not invoicing, where an event is cancelled.

Code of Conduct (By-Law 37)

The Rowing ACT Code of Conduct in the existing By-Laws had been that of Rowing Australia’s Member Protection Policy.  That remains the case.  However, Rowing ACT has now set out more clearly the sort of behaviours expected by participant groups in the sport of rowing.