IPMS Ottawa Code of Conduct

IPMS Ottawa aims to be a welcoming place for all who share in our hobby of plastic scale model building, regardless of a person’s background or the type of models they build. We believe in creating a positive club environment where all members have the right to feel safe, welcome, and respected. With this right comes the responsibility for all members to be accountable for their actions and contribute to a positive climate within the club.

The IPMS Ottawa Code of Conduct (hereinafter “the Code”) sets fair and reasonable expectations for its members. The Code shall apply to all IPMS Ottawa members (hereinafter “members”) at club meetings, events, online spaces, and inter-member messaging. Further, as ambassadors for the club and our hobby, members are encouraged to follow the Code when engaging with fellow modellers – regardless of club affiliation – and the general public.

Code of Conduct

Members shall support each other’s growth and development as hobbyists in a positive, encouraging manner. Members are encouraged to share skills and techniques that they have accumulated based on their experience in the hobby in a non-judgemental and positive manner.

Members shall treat one another with dignity and respect at all times. Members shall respect and treat each other fairly, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, or disability, and shall not engage in discriminatory conduct on these bases. Members shall not engage in any form of bullying, harassment, intimidation, assault, abuse, threatening behaviour, violence, or other forms of aggression.

Members shall show care and respect for club property and the property of others, including each other’s models and venues used by the club. As some hobby tools, when misused, may pose a health and safety hazard, members shall endeavour to work in a safe manner when building models or demonstrating techniques at IPMS Ottawa events.

Members shall follow all applicable laws and local club rules at all IPMS Ottawa meetings and other club-hosted events where they are representing the club or may be reasonably perceived to be representing the club. Members shall not engage in behaviour that may put the club, fellow members, or the general public at risk. Members shall not engage in behaviour that may put the club into disrepute.

Disputes and Conflicts

Members shall do their best to keep club meetings/events friendly and welcoming. If, however, personal disputes arise between members at club meetings/events, the involved members shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve those personal disputes between each other peacefully and without any form of aggression.

Disputes or conflicts arising from matters pertaining to the Code may be brought to the attention of the club executive. If the club executive becomes directly involved in disputes or conflicts pertaining to Code violations, the club executive has final say in the resolution of such disputes or conflicts (including disciplinary action, if deemed warranted). Members shall respect and abide by all decisions and judgments of the club executive for all disputes or conflicts pertaining to the Code.

Family-friendly Environment

As a number of young people engage in the hobby of building plastic models, members shall endeavour to create a family-friendly environment. This includes (but may not be limited to): acting maturely and appropriately around younger modellers, refraining from displaying models which are generally considered to be inappropriate or in poor taste,  and refraining from using inappropriate or offensive language during in-public discussions with other members or the general public.

Etiquette for Virtual Meetings

Members that attend virtual club meetings are encouraged to follow common-sense etiquette guidelines to help promote respectful interaction for a more positive meeting experience. Members attending the virtual meetings of other hobby clubs are encouraged to follow the same etiquette guidelines, as they may be reasonably perceived to be representing the club.