Code of Conduct¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reference | POL-003 |
| Type | Policy |
| Version | 1.00 |
| Status | Approved |
| Owner | Standards & Welfare Officer |
| Approver | Board |
| Approval Reference | MIN-2026-08-02 |
| Effective Date | 2026-08-05 |
| Next Review | 2027-08-05 |
| Review Requirements | As defined in STD-001 |
| Classification | Public |
Purpose¶
To set out the standard of behaviour expected of BRSA members, as referred to in Constitution 4.3 and 4.4. This is the code of conduct those clauses refer to.
Scope¶
Applies to all BRSA members, in all BRSA contexts - the website and member area, any BRSA-run online groups or forums, BRSA events, and communications with the Committee or with other members as a BRSA member.
This document covers conduct. It does not cover animal husbandry or welfare practice standards, which are addressed separately as BRSA's guidance content develops.
Expected Behaviour¶
Members are expected to:
- Treat other members, volunteers, and the Committee with courtesy and respect, including in disagreement.
- Support BRSA's aims (Constitution Section 3) - educating, supporting, and promoting responsible, welfare-led rabbit keeping.
- Give advice on rabbit care and welfare honestly, and be clear when something is personal opinion or experience rather than established best practice.
- Represent BRSA accurately, and make clear when a view expressed is personal rather than an official BRSA position.
- Respect other members' privacy, including personal data shared within the community.
Unacceptable Behaviour¶
Members must not:
- Harass, bully, or discriminate against any person, including on any basis set out in the Equality & Diversity Policy.
- Knowingly promote rabbit care practices that are cruel, unsafe, or contrary to established welfare standards.
- Misrepresent themselves as speaking for BRSA without authorisation.
- Share another member's personal data without their consent.
- Behave in a way that brings BRSA into disrepute.
Raising a Concern¶
If you experience or witness a breach of this code, contact a member of the Committee. Concerns are treated seriously and confidentially so far as possible. Where a concern relates to equality, diversity, or harassment specifically, the process in the Equality & Diversity Policy also applies.
Consequences¶
Under Constitution 4.3, the Committee may decline or revoke membership where conduct is reasonably considered contrary to BRSA's aims or welfare standards. Any member whose membership is declined or revoked has the right to request the Committee's reasons in writing.
Where a concern involves matters such as safeguarding, legal exposure, or anything else requiring confidentiality, it is handled as confidential business under PROC-002, rather than in the open Committee Minutes.
Related Documents¶
- CON-001 Constitution, Sections 3, 4.3 and 4.4
- POL-005 Equality and Diversity Policy
- POL-006 Conflicts of Interest Policy
- PROC-002 Committee Meetings and Minutes
Review Requirements¶
As defined in STD-001.
Change History¶
| Version | Date | Author | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | 2026-07-23 | DC | Initial draft |
| 0.10 | 2026-07-23 | DC | Added POL-006 to Related Documents |
| 0.50 | 2026-07-24 | DC | Version -> 0.50; Status -> Review |
| 1.00 | 2026-08-05 | DC | Version -> 1.00; Approval Reference -> MIN-2026-08-02; Status -> Approved; Effective Date -> 2026-08-05; Last Reviewed -> 2026-08-05; Next Review -> 2027-08-05 |