Skills Canada National Competition. Competition Rules

Transcription

1 Skills Canada National Competition Competition Rules Revised, February 2012

2 1. Introduction 1.1 What is Skills/Compétences Canada? 1.2 National Board 1.3 Skills/Compétences Canada Operations Committee 1.4 National Technical Committee 1.5 National Technical Chairs 2. The Event 2.1 What and When? 2.2 List of Contests 2.3 Duration of contest 2.4 Categories 2.5 Eligibility Category Secondary Level Competition Post-secondary/apprentice Level Competition Residence of the Competitor Citizenship of the Competitor 2.6 Proof of Eligibility 2.7 Number of competitors in each contest 2.8 Signage at the competition sites 2.9 Clothing During the contest During official ceremonies 3. Contest organization 3.1 Scope documents 3.2 Projects 3.3 Juries 3.4 Reserving work stations 3.5 Registration Who must register? Required information for registration Registration of delegates 3.6 Organization of work stations 3.7 Orientation meeting 3.8 Contest administration

3 3.8.1 Judges Orientation Meeting 3.9 Evaluation Preparation and Information Evaluation Process Cheating 3.10 Marking 3.11 Medals and Certificates of Participation 3.12 Results 3.13 Media Before the Competition During the Competition 4. Conflict Resolution Committee 4.1 Composition of the Conflict Resolution 4.2 Phase I Informal Protest Process 4.3 Phase II 4.4 Phase III Decisions of the Conflict Resolution Committee

4 1 Introduction 1.1 What is Skills/Compétences Canada? Skills/Compétences Canada is a not for profit corporation comprised of members from Canada s provinces and territories. The Organization consists of educators, students, employers, labour groups, and government representatives. Only one organization from each province or territory can be a member of Skills/Compétences Canada s National Secretariat which is located in the National Capital Region. Skills/Compétences Canada meets its objectives by sponsoring, with industry support, skills competitions on a Canada-wide basis. Working with hundreds of young Canadians each year, Skills/Compétences Canada has a direct impact on youth. The Skills Canada National Competition ensures recognition of students in search of excellence in fields required by the Canadian labour market, today and tomorrow. Skills/Compétences Canada is the owner and the co-ordinator for the Skills Canada National Competition. Skills/Compétences Canada also co-ordinates various activities to prepare Team Canada to participate in the WorldSkills International Competitions. The competition rules are maintained by the National Secretariat and approved by the Operations committee and Board members. All members and participants must abide by the competition rules. 1.2 National Board of Directors Skills/Compétences Canada has a board of directors with representatives from each member province/territory. The board is responsible for final decisions related to national competition operations. 1.3 Skills/Compétences Canada Operations Committee The Skills/Compétences Canada Operations Committee is comprised of Executive Directors from each Member Organization, or their respective agents, and the Executive Director of the Skills/Compétences Canada National Secretariat. 1.4 National Technical Committee (NTC) For every trade or technology contest there is a National Technical Committee. The National Technical Committee serves as an operational and advisory committee to the National Secretariat. The purpose of the committee is to formalize a competition development process, which will ensure a positive experience for competitors, instructors, judges and technical committee members. The Committee will provide each region of Canada a voice in the development of the Skills Canada National Competition criteria. This will ensure the standardization of the Skills Canada National Competition scopes, projects and judging criteria. The National Technical Committee members must be involved with their provincial or territorial competition.

5 Committee Composition: Membership: 6 members from 5 regions (Pacific, West, Ontario, Québec, Atlantic) and a shop master from the host provincial/territorial. It is strongly recommended that the Canadian Expert to the WorldSkills International organization automatically assumes their regional representatives position. If that is not possible, the expert will be invited to participate as an advisor to the National Technical Committee activities National Technical Committee Chairs For each contest there is a National Technical Committee Chair. The person who sits as Chair is responsible for organizing and running the contest, meetings, conference calls, and correspondence. The Chair must keep everyone informed of the on-going organizing activities of the contest, meeting deadlines, and ensuring that the contest is well organized and administered. The NTC Chair is elected by each National Technical Committee and is chosen from the members present during the fall National Technical Committee meeting (held the previous fall of the competition year). The term for this position is one competition year. The elected NTC Chair must be in attendance during the fall NTC meeting. NTC Chair responsibilities are in effect beginning immediately after the election, which is held on day 1 of the fall meeting. 2 The Competition 2.1 What and When? The Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) is held annually, normally between the 21st and 23rd week of the year (approximately between May 15 and June 7). 2.2 List of Contests The list of contests held for the Skills Canada National Competition is drawn up in the following way: Terminology: The Skills Canada National Competition is a collection of contests in areas of skilled trades and technology organized by a host Member or Organizing Committee and by Skills/Compétences Canada Members participate in a contest area by declaring their intent to send an official competitor by a specified participation deadline. Declaring intent to send candidate(s) to a SCNC event establishes the fee obligation of the Member SCNC host and S/CC must organize contests on the SCNC core list of occupations established by Skills/Compétences Canada Participation fees, or obligation for participation fees will not be returned or the obligation reduced, if participation is withdrawn or defaulted after the participation deadline. Participation Deadline: October 1 of each year.

6 Official A host may choose not to organize a contest on the approved list only if there are less than five (5) members who have declared an intent to participate in the contest If only 3-4 competitors/teams are registered for a contest that has already received official status, the contest will be offered but will have probation status for one year. If after the year it does not reach the minimum of 5 registered member organizations it will be removed from the list The year following a contest being hosted as a probationary contest the SCNC host could submit a request to the National Secretariat asking to host the contest with a minimum of 3 participants. If there are 2 or less registered P/T s, then it will be removed from the list immediately. After one year of suspension the contest can be requested to be reinstated as a demonstration. Demonstration Skills/Compétences Canada will organize additional demonstration contests only if there are three (3) or more members who have declared interest in the contest area If the contest is presented as a demonstration contest and there are not enough participants (less than 3) then it is suspended for a year, A new contest will be on demonstration status for 2 years, the 3rd year it becomes official as long as the minimum number criteria is met (5 participating Member Organizations). If there are 2 or less registered Member Organizations, then it will be removed from the list immediately. After one year of suspension the contest can be requested to be reinstated as a demonstration. Presentation The Member hosting the Competition may, on its own merit, present other contests in order to promote those skills. Known as Presentation skills, they are not subject to Competition Rules and will not be officially assessed. Medals, medallions, diplomas or certificates of participation may be awarded at the discretion of the host organization but will not be included in the Skills/Compétences Canada official results or ceremonies. The host organization may invite other members to participate in the presentation. National Technical Committee s will not be convened for Presentation skills. For each contest area, notice of participation must be to the host by the participation deadline 2.3 Duration of contest It is recommended that each contest at the Skills Canada National Competition last for a duration of a maximum of twelve hours over two days. 2.4 Categories Skills/Compétences Canada organizes contests in the Secondary and Post-Secondary categories.

7 2.5 Eligibility To take part in the Skills Canada National Competition, competitors must be registered by the Skills/Compétences Canada provincial or territorial Member Organization. It is the responsibility of the province or territory to ensure that registered competitors meet the following eligibility criteria: Category Secondary Level Competition Attend a secondary-level school at any time between July 1st of the year of the last SCNC, and the date of start of SCNC for which the competitor is registered AND Be less than 22 years old on December 31st of the year of the Competition Post-secondary/apprentice Level Competition Attend a training institution at any time between July 1st in the year of the last SCNC and the date of the start of SCNC for which the competitor is registered or be a registered apprentice AND Competitors must not be a certified journey person in the contest area in which they wish to compete Residence of the Competitor A competitor attending school in a province or territory other than their primary place of residence can choose to represent either province or territory, on condition that that province or territory accepts to be represented by that competitor and they meet the eligibility requirements within that province or territory Citizenship of the Competitor Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents (landed immigrant) have the right to compete in the Skills Canada National Competition. Member Organizations registering competitors are responsible for verifying this information. 2.6 Proof of Eligibility If there is an appeal following a Conflict Resolution Committee decision, a Member Organization must provide their participant s proof of eligibility, at the request of the Conflict Resolution Committee. The required proof must be made available to the Committee on request so that it can review the appeal (more information on grievance procedures is contained in section 4 of this document). Requested proof can include: proof of apprenticeship status for apprentices. proof of school attendance. proof of age: original proof of identity or a photocopy showing date of birth. proof of citizenship

8 If it is impossible for the Conflict Resolution Committee to verify proof of eligibility, the competitors named in the grievance and for who the proof is missing may be disqualified. 2.7 Number of competitors in each contest Each Member Organization can enter one competitor or team, per contest, unless the appropriate numbers of work stations are not available. If for any given contest there are two categories, each Member Organization may register in both categories. If there are six Member Organizations or less interested in competing in a contest, with the approval of Skills/Compétences Canada s Operations Committee, the host Member Organization may offer two workstations to registered Member Organizations. 2.8 Signage at the competition sites For each contest, signage must be in both of Canada s official languages and is recommended that it include the following: Name of the contest The category level Names of competitors, along with the province or territory being represented. Names of the National Technical Committee Members. Names of the sponsors and equipment suppliers. 2.9 Clothing During the contests Unless otherwise indicated for a contest area competitors may wear the colours of the province or territory they represent during the contest. Each region must respect the Commercial Marks Policy During official ceremonies Each year the Skills/Compétences Canada Operations Committee will decide what uniforms will be deemed appropriate. The objective of the Committee will be to ensure uniformity. All competitors are required to wear their official team uniform for the official ceremonies and all provincial/territorial delegates are encouraged to wear the official team uniform. 3 Organization of Contests 3.1 Scope documents Scope documents are brief descriptions of contests. It is the responsibility of the National Secretariat to co-ordinate the preparation, translation, and distribution of scope documents. It is the responsibility of the National Secretariat to ensure that scopes are available in both official languages. Each scope document for a contest will be reviewed and revised by the Skills/Compétences Canada National Technical Committee. All scopes must include: the name of the contest; category in which the contest will be held; a description of skills that may be measured;

9 specific conditions where applicable: knowledge of software, technology, etc ; instructions on the safety rules; contest length; type of equipment supplied the list of material used; the list of material or tools that the competitor must supply; When the project will be released to the competitors ; Scope documents are approved by the National Secretariat on recommendation of the National Technical Committee. Information included in a scope document is very important because it may be the only information given to competitors in preparing for a contest. It is recommended that all scope documents be finalized, translated, approved and distributed to all members at least five months prior to the Competition. 3.2 Projects The National Secretariat is responsible for co-ordinating project preparation and translation. It is the responsibility of the National Secretariat to ensure that projects are available in both official languages. Each project is prepared by the National Technical Committee taking into account identified points in the scope document, duration and available resources of contest. Projects should be based on a maximum of 12 hours of work time over two days. (not included orientation and/or evaluation) The content of a project must be significantly different for each competition year. The same project content can only be used every 3 years. Skills/Compétences Canada and the National Technical Committee will ensure this is followed. Project criteria: Projects must allow competitors to demonstrate their ability to accomplish tasks and use their corresponding skills at the entry-level worker position. As a guideline, a contest may include a practical project making up at least 85 % of points. It can also include a theoretical project that corresponds to a maximum 15 % of points. In the case of a written project, the Skills/Compétences Canada National Secretariat is responsible for ensuring that the projects are available in both English and French and marked equitably for all. Where possible, project evaluation criteria must be objective rather than subjective. 3.3 Judges The National Secretariat is responsible for co-ordinating contest evaluation. The National Secretariat and the host Member Organization will make sure there are a sufficient number of judges for each contest and that the judges are appointed in the following manner: Each National Technical Committee informs the National Secretariat of how many judges are required for the contest. For each contest, equal opportunity must be given to all participating Member Organizations with respect to judges. Selection of judges will be done in the following manner. The following points are listed in order of preference. Judges selected from the National Technical Committee (NTC); Judges selected from provinces and territories (industry representatives recommended);

10 Judges selected from the Host Member Organization (industry representatives recommended); * Note the guiding principle will be the concept of a fair judging group with pan-canadian representation. Judges selected from national industry associations /organizations /sector councils There is a deadline of March 15th for the Host Member Organization to receive all Member Organizations intended judges list. If, after the deadline, there are an insufficient number of judges for certain contests, the Host Member Organization is responsible for filling the vacancies. 3.4 Reserving work stations Skills/Compétences Canada Members must indicate their intention to register competitors for contests with the National Secretariat, by October 1 deadline as noted in 2.2. After this date, no competition space can be guaranteed. 3.5 Registration Registration activities are co-ordinated by the Host Member Organization and/or SCC The Host Member Organization and SCC host establishes the deadline for registration and applicable fees. Registration fees must be paid to the Host Member Organization and/or SCC before the start of the Competition Who must register? All persons needing access to program activities must register with the Host Member Organization and/or SCC through their respective provincial or territorial Member Organization Required information for registration Information required on competitors is: Mandatory information: Family name First name Gender Complete permanent residence address Province or territory represented Date of birth Contest for which the competitor is registering Contest level in which the competitor is registering Preferred language Release form duly filled and signed Emergency contact information Health Care Number Special Needs Other information: Telephone number (including area code) Name of School address

11 Upon arrival, competitors will receive an identification tag showing their name, province or territory, and contest in which they are competing. This identification tag must be worn to gain access to the competition site, provided transportation and all scheduled activities. Robotics Registration Skills Canada National Competition is 4 team members. 2 competitors will be identified every two years at the time of registration for the Skills Canada National Competition as the WorldSkills Competition participants if that team is the national competition winner Registration of delegates Data required on delegates is: Mandatory information: Family name First name Gender Delegate s province/territory Contest (Applicable for Judges) Preferred language Individual s status (see below): Skills/Compétences Canada board member Staff of a Skills/Compétences Canada provincial or territorial member or from the National Secretariat National Technical Committee Member Judge Delegate V.I.P. Special Needs Other information: Complete work address Work telephone number (including area code) Work fax number (including area code) address Upon arrival, delegates will receive accreditation showing their name, province/territory and function. This accreditation must be worn to allow access to the competition site, provided transportation and all scheduled activities. 3.6 Organization of work stations Set up of workstations is the responsibility of the Provincial/territorial host and Skills/Compétences Canada, Technical Committee members and host volunteers. National Technical Committees do their best to ensure that workstations are similar so that competitors can demonstrate their skills under equitable conditions.

12 3.7 Orientation meeting The orientation meeting prior to the start of the contest is mandatory for all competitors or competitor designates upon approval of the National Secretariat. During this meeting, the National Technical Committee will allocate work stations randomly where applicable. This meeting is organized to prepare competitors for the contest. Competitors receive instructions through the National Technical Committee or designate who will take into consideration the following points: Verifying attendance and competitor information. Rules of contest. Contest schedule of events, especially, contest start time and duration, lunch break, time frame for the conflict resolution procedure. Evaluation criteria Safety rules. Verifying tools list and material that competitors must supply. Verifying all other tools, material, books or notes that competitors have brought to validate use during contest. Training on using equipment unfamiliar to competitors as well as all aspects related to safety. When possible, competitors may familiarize themselves with equipment by using it. Special announcements, especially available specialized transport, designated smoking areas, etc. Competitor s questions. Note: The National Technical Committee will permit the presence of advisors and/or interpreters during this meeting. 3.8 Contest administration The Host Member Organization, SCC, and the National Technical Committee will organize contest sites and will provide instructions to judges and competitors. Each National Technical Committee Member is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of each contest it administers. Competitors must be punctual. Those arriving late will be admitted but their allotted time will not be extended. Competitors who need clarification on instructions during the contest must address their questions to a National Technical Committee Chair or designate. During the contest, competitors are not allowed to talk to persons who are not located within the contest area. Competitors are allowed to go to the restrooms. Escorts may be provided to restrooms at the discretion of the National Technical Chair or designate. Interpreters will be allowed to access the contest site if previous arrangements have been made with the National Secretariat Access to the site of a contest is allowed only to National Technical Committee members, judges, competitors, approved interpreters, National Secretariat and Host Member Organization personnel and other persons authorized by the National Secretariat.

13 3.8.1 Judges Orientation Meeting Judges should be present at the Orientation Meeting. Prior to the start of the contest, a Judges Orientation meeting must take place to ensure the Judges know the rules of competition and specific rules that apply to their contest. Judging criteria must be distributed in advance. Each National Technical Committee Chair must discuss the following points: Project(s) Contest rules notification and interpretation. Material, equipment and facilities. Conflict Resolution procedure. Evaluation criteria. Marking forms. Clarification on all points allowing an equitable and a transparent contest. It is recommended, on competition days, that Judges be on site one hour before the contest starts. (where applicable) 3.9 Evaluation Preparation and Information Judges must know the rules of competition and specific rules that apply to their contest. Each National Technical Committee Chair must call judges to meet at a place to discuss the following points: Project Contest rules notification and interpretation. Material, equipment and facilities. Conflict Resolution procedure. Evaluation criteria. Marking forms. Clarification on all points allowing an equitable and a transparent contest. Feedback Forms Evaluation Process Judges evaluate each competitor s performance according to the evaluation criteria established by the National Technical Committee before the start of the contest. Judges must ensure that each competitor is evaluated in exactly the same way and under the same conditions. Judges evaluate all safety aspects. Competitors who do not follow safety guidelines will be advised, marks will be deducted and competitors may be disqualified if it is the judges opinion that their own safety or that of others is being jeopardized by their actions. Except for team judging, each judge will mark each competitor individually and will not compare notes with other judges Cheating If a competitor or team is found to have fully or partially completed the specified contest task by using prohibited, materials, tools, documentation or resources as determined by the National Technical Committee or has tampered with a competitors project, materials, tools and/or

14 resources the participant and his team will be disqualified from the contest immediately, and at the discretion of the Conflict Resolution Committee, may be asked to leave the contest area. If any person (National Technical Committee Member(s), judge(s), sponsor, trainer(s), supplier(s), sponsor(s) or observer(s) is found to have fully or partially aided a competitor or team in the completion of a specified contest task which is deemed to be contrary to the rules of the contest as specified by Skills/Compétences Canada, the competitor or team who received this assistance may face disciplinary measures as determined by the Conflict Resolution Committee which may result in an immediate disqualification. There is zero tolerance for cheating Marking Skills/Compétences Canada uses a standard scale, out of 1000 points, to register contest results. Skills/Compétences Canada will distribute one gold medal, one silver medal, and one bronze medal for each contest level. In the case of team events each team member will receive a medal. As a first step, judges complete their individual evaluations. Then, the National Technical Committee will compile their results. NTC members will ensure there is no tie. NTC members will verify there are no errors in calculating results, or in transcriptions of the final results onto the Result Transmission Form. Once these have been verified, all NTC members sign the Result Form. No change is allowed once the form has been signed. Last, the Result Transmission Form as well as all marking material is submitted to the National Technical Chairperson who will return them to the area designated by the National Secretariat. All results must remain confidential until the winners are announced at the awards ceremony. Judges and National Technical Committee members must not discuss contest results with anyone Medals and Certificates of Participation Skills/Compétences Canada only awards one of each of gold, silver and bronze medal for each contest level. The person or team achieving the highest score is awarded the gold medal. The person or team achieving the second highest score is awarded the silver and the third highest scoring person or team is awarded the bronze. All competitors attending the competition will receive a certificate of participation from Skills/Compétences Canada. Candidates Not Reaching a Minimum Standard of Performance If, it is the opinion of the NTC for a contest area, that a competitor(s) has not performed at the minimum acceptable standard for the Skills Canada National Competition then the NTC, through the Chair, can recommend that one or more medals can be withheld. In these circumstances the NTC Chair shall report the potential withholding of medals to the Executive Director of the National Secretariat no later than two (2) hours before the closing ceremonies. The Executive Director or his/her appointee(s) will investigate with the NTC and Judges to ensure integrity and consistency of the contest areas. The National Secretariat will also advise the affected region of the request to withhold medals. A meeting will be convened of the affected parties (National Technical Committee, competitors, trainers, National Secretariat representatives) so that the rationale for the decision can be clearly communicated. The withholding of the medals will be recorded by the National Secretariat on a Results Transmission Form and signed as is normal practice.

15 If there is a dispute between the National Technical Committee and the National Secretariat as to the awarding of medals a minimum score of 60% must be achieved by the competitor or team in question Results During the awards ceremony, Skills/Compétences Canada announces only the name, the level, the Province/Territory and the medal awarded. Within one week after the Skills Canada National Competition, the National Secretariat will send to each Member Organization, the standings, marks and group average for all competitors. The name of the individual, province/territory and standings for the top three competitors for each trade or technology area will be compiled by the National Secretariat and be verified by an independent body and be made available for public distribution. The complete list of ranking, scores, averages, etc. should be used for Skills/Compétences Canada Member Organizations internal use only Media Before the Competition Filming or photographing in the halls/buildings and workshops before the start of the Competition is forbidden exception is granted to Skills/Compétences Canada Official Media During the Competition Filming,photographs and/or interviews inside a contest area during the Competition is subject to the approval of the Chair of the National Technical Committee or National Technical Committee Media designate responsible for the skill, and with approval of the Skills/Compétences Canada National Secretariat. 4 Conflict Resolution Committee 4.1 Composition of the Conflict Resolution The Conflict Resolution committee shall be composed of one representative appointed by each Member Organization of Skills/Compétences Canada. In addition, the Host Member Organization will be responsible to appoint a bilingual person as Chair of the Conflict Resolution Committee. This person may not be associated in any way with any Member Organization of Skills/Compétences Canada,. A quorum of the Conflict Resolution Committee consists of fifty percent(50%) plus one(1) of the Member Organization representatives plus the independent Chair. (For the purposes of this clause 50% plus 1 shall mean the ordinal number beyond the 50% metric e.g. 8 representatives quorum is 5, 9 representatives quorum is 5, etc.) The independent Chair may, at his discretion, divide the committee members into groups if it is determined that this will be necessary to complete all of the work by the required time frame. In this case a quorum as identified above would still be in effect. Each Member Organization must advise the Executive Director of Skills/Compétences Canada, of the name of its Conflict Resolution Committee representative, in writing, no less than 10 days prior to the commencement of the competition. Each Province/Territory will also identify a Provincial/Territorial Competitor designate.

16 Provincial/Territorial designates will be responsible to sign any grievance filed by a competitor(s) from its region, before it will be considered by the Conflict Resolution committee. Provincial/Territorial designates will be allowed to provide guidance to their competitor at any time in the grievance process. Note Grievances must be filed on the day of the perceived infraction as per the timelines indicated in the process below. Those filing a grievance and those with a grievance filed against must remain present throughout the grievance process unless otherwise advised by the relevant persons depending on the stage of the grievance i.e. National Technical Committee Chair, National Secretariat, Conflict Resolution Committee 4.2 PHASE I Informal Protest Process Competitors (hereinafter referred to as eligible party ), are eligible to make an Informal Protest, with respect to that particular contest, to the judge or judges of that particular contest or to any of the National Technical Committee Members. Provincial/Territorial designates may assist the competitor in following the correct process. An Informal Protest may be made verbally, or in writing, using a standard format prescribed by the National Secretariat, which can be obtained from the National Technical Committee Chairperson or at the National Secretariat on-site office. An Informal Protest may be filed in French or English. An Informal Protest may be made at any time between the commencement of the particular contest and up to 10 minutes after the alleged infraction or violation occurred. The National Technical Committee shall make a decision on the Informal Protest at the site of the contest, within thirty (30) minutes of the Informal Protest being made. All parties involved in the grievance are required to be notified of the grievance and must remain present until the grievance process has been completed. Once an informal protest is received the National Technical Committee Chair will advise the National Secretariat that an informal protest had been made and that a decision has been rendered. The National Secretariat will inform the conflict resolution committee of the situation immediately. 4.3 PHASE II National Technical Committee - Informal Protest Appeal If any eligible party directly affected by the determination of an Informal Protest wishes to appeal that decision, he or she (hereinafter referred to as Plaintif ) may file a Grievance with any member of the National Technical Committee for that contest. A copy of the Grievance shall also be filed, by the Plaintif, at the National Secretariat on-site event office. A Grievance must be made in writing using a standard format prescribed by the National Secretariat, and as found at the National Secretariat on-site event office. A Grievance may be filed in French or English.

17 A Grievance may be filed at any time between the determination of the Informal Protest and up to 10 minutes following this decision. A Grievance will be considered by the National Technical Committee Chair, or his or her designate, at a location to be determined by the National Technical Committee Chair, or his or her designate. The National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, has the exclusive discretion to determine which other members of the National Technical Committee shall be present at the consideration of a Grievance. The plaintiff, and any competitors directly affected by the determination which is the subject of a Grievance, shall be available for questioning during the consideration of that Grievance upon request by the National Technical Committee Chair or designate in an area as provided by the Conflict Resolution Committee. The National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, may request that others including the judge or judges who may have been involved in the Informal Protest be available for questioning during the consideration of a Grievance in an area as provided by the Conflict Resolution Committee. The National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, and any other member of the National Technical Committee appointed by the National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, may consider any information the National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, considers relevant in the consideration of a Grievance. The National Technical Committee shall make a decision on Phase II of the protest at the site of the contest, within thirty (30) minutes of the making of the Appeal. In making a decision after consideration of a Grievance, the National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, may take whatever corrective action that he or she considers appropriate, up to and including the disqualification of any competitor who has breached any of the competition rules or regulations providing they advise the Conflict Resolution Committee before announcing the decision. The decision of the National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, shall be delivered verbally at the conclusion of the consideration of a Grievance. A written confirmation, no longer than one (1) page, shall be filed, by the National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, at the National Secretariat on-site event office within 15 minutes of the verbal delivery of the decision. The plaintif and any eligible party may obtain a copy of the written confirmation of the decision from the National Secretariat on-site event office. 4.4 PHASE III Conflict Resolution Committee Appeal Process If a plaintiff or any eligible party directly affected by a decision delivered after consideration of a Grievance, wishes to appeal that decision, the plaintif and/or any such eligible party may appeal the decision to the Conflict Resolution committee. An Appeal must be made in writing using a standard format prescribed by the National Secretariat, and as found at the National Secretariat on-site event office. An Appeal may be filed in French or English.

18 An Appeal may be filed by the Plaintif or eligible party at the National Secretariat on-site event office. No later than 10 minutes after the written confirmation of the decision of the National Technical Chair, or his or her designate, is filed with the National Secretariat. Consideration of an Appeal shall take place at a location to be determined by the Chair of the Conflict Resolution committee, or his or her designate. The Plaintif, and any eligible party which is the subject of an Appeal, shall be available for questioning during the consideration of that Appeal by the Conflict Resolution Committee in an area as provided by the Conflict Resolution Committee,. The Chair of the Conflict Resolution Committee, or his or her designate, may request others to be available for questioning during the consideration of that Appeal in an area as provided by the Conflict Resolution Committee. This may include the National Technical Chair which considered the Grievance, or his or her designate, judge, judges or any other individuals relevant to the decision. The Conflict Resolution Committee may consider any information the Chair of the Conflict Resolution committee, or his or her designate, considers relevant in the consideration of an Appeal. Any decision of the Conflict Resolution Committee shall be made by a majority vote, and where there is a tie vote, the Chair of the Conflict Resolution committee, or his or her designate, shall have the deciding vote. In making a decision after consideration of an Appeal, the Conflict Resolution committee may take whatever corrective action that it considers appropriate. The decision of the Conflict Resolution committee shall be delivered verbally at the conclusion of the consideration of an Appeal. A written confirmation, no longer than one (1) page, shall be filed, by the Chair of the Conflict Resolution committee, or his or her designate, at the National Secretariat on-site event office within one (1) hour of the verbal delivery of a decision of the Conflict Resolution Committee. The Plaintif and any eligible party may obtain a copy of the written confirmation of a decision of the Conflict Resolution Committee from the National Secretariat on-site event office Decisions of the Conflict Resolution committee The decisions of the Conflict Resolution Committee are final and binding, and are not subject to further appeal. Any written decisions rendered by the Conflict Resolution committee, and filed with the National Secretariat, may be forwarded upon request to the Member Organizations through the Executive Director of that member s that were involved in the dispute.