Code of Conduct

In order for a person to be selected as an instructor within GKR Karate, that person has been judged as someone well versed in karate and also as a person who has the character and demeanour to represent GKR to students and the public. The Code of Conduct has been written as a public document to declare our standards to all students, parents and others who may be interested in how our club operates.

The founder of GKR, Robert Sullivan, has always espoused a set of personal values that are based on respect for all people. This concept of respect is basic to the art of GKR Karate and must extend to the dealings instructors have with all people they encounter in their role. The GKR instructor is the public face of our club and our club will be judged by the ways they conduct themselves. These judgments will be made by students, parents, the venues we use, regulatory authorities and within the martial arts community generally. We are a family club and are committed to the promotion of family values and instructors are expected to also support these values.

Care of Children
Many of the students of GKR are children. Parents entrust their children with GKR every day. Instructors must live up to that trust by ensuring that all behavior towards children is entirely appropriate. By their nature children will view their sensei as a leader and a person to be respected and in turn an instructor will have earned this respect by the way the instructor conducts himself or herself. GKR will take the appropriate steps to screen potential instructors.

Honesty & Citizenship
GKR will expect that all instructors will operate in an honest manner. This extends to all dealings inside and outside the organisation. Part of this is an expectation that all instructors strive to be good citizens within their personal environment.

Beliefs
A person is entitled to pursue their own beliefs and standards without undue disruption and interference from others. These differences may arise through religion, personal values, gender or ethnicity. Instructors will be respectful, understanding and accommodating of these matters.

Sexual Harassment
Any form of sexual harassment is totally unacceptable. Sexual harassment can take the form of verbal comments concerning appearance, private life or other issues. It can take the form of unwanted physical contact, adult humour, double entendre etc. GKR does not seek to encroach on the normal social interplay between people, however GKR is all about respect for your fellow participants, and any form of sexual harassment runs completely counter to this and will not be tolerated.

Equal Opportunity
GKR has an overriding policy of equal opportunity for students to train in and enjoy karate. This country has laws that are designed to promote equal opportunity. GKR will not tolerate discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, physical or mental handicap. At the same time instructors will be mindful of medical conditions that may affect the safety and well being of other students. Any concerns of this nature are to be dealt with sensitively and reported to the senior instructor at the earliest opportunity. Instructors will always be sensitive to the varying needs of its students. GKR prides itself on being a welcoming organisation for all people, and instructors are its ambassadors.