by digital_blue » 21 Oct 2005 2:17
This is a HUGE post... sorry. But here are the Rules Of Conduct...
A member of LSI is a representative of the parent organization, having special responsibility for the knowledge and skill earned and learned at association meetings and events.
The association is largely meant to be self-governing. By self-regulating the association will maintain independence from government domination. The members of the association have a responsibility to assure their actions are viewed in the most positive light possible. Every association member is responsible for the observance of the Members Rules of Conduct. A member should also aid in securing their observance by other members as well. Neglect of these responsibilities compromises the independence and enjoyment of the association and its goals.
Specific Rules of Conduct:
The Rules of Professional Conduct are rules of reason. Some of the Rules are imperatives, cast in the terms “shall†or “shall not.†These define proper conduct for purposes of promoting the association and its goals. Others, generally cast in the term “may,†are permissive and define areas under the Rules in which the member’s own discretion will be called up to decide. No disciplinary action should be taken when the member chooses not to act or acts within the bounds of such discretion.
The Rules presuppose a larger legal context. That context includes the specific laws and statutes found in the jurisdiction of the specific association chapter membership is held in.
Compliance with the Rules, as with all law in an open society, depends primarily upon understanding and voluntary compliance, secondarily upon reinforcement by peer and public opinion and finally, when necessary, upon enforcement through disciplinary proceedings. The Rules do not, however, exhaust the moral and ethical considerations that should inform a member, for no worthwhile human activity can be completely defined by legal rules. The Rules simply provide a framework for the ethical pursuit of lock sports.
Failure to comply with an obligation or prohibition imposed by any/all of the Rules is a basis for status and privileges of membership to be removed and is inclusive of any resulting legal measures that may result.
1. All members shall comply with all laws, statutes, and bylaws enforced in the jurisdiction the member resides in. Where the laws as set down by the association within these pages are of a higher ethical, and/or legal standard, the laws of this association will take precedence during consideration of disciplinary action.
2. In areas where a license to possess lock picking tools is required, all members, unless so properly licensed by the local jurisdictional authority in charge, shall only use lock tools at sanctioned association meetings, for association sanctioned purposes, or in private in a lawful manner, notwithstanding 3.
3. No member of LSI, while acting under the name of or within the capacity of LSI, shall perform lock opening services. If contacted to perform these services, members shall recommend that the requester contact a licensed and qualified locksmith to perform the service. This rule does not preclude members from helping a friend or relative under the following conditions:
a) It is clearly understood that the member is acting outside the capacity of LSI
b) No fee shall be collected for the service.
c) It is lawful in the member’s area to do so.
4. The name, logo, and other items produced and copyrighted by the association may not be used by any member for any purpose without explicit written permission from the president of the chapter and signed by any of the board directors of the association.
5. All members shall pay in full and within 10 days, fees required to maintain membership, as set forth by the Association. Fees may be adjusted yearly and members will be notified not less than 60 days before such fees are due.
6. A member shall at all times be careful when sharing information on lock opening techniques to ensure that this knowledge, to the best of his or her abilities, is not shared with any non-member who may abuse it.
7. Any member found to have fraudulently submitted an application form is in direct violation of the rules of conduct.
8. Membership will not be granted to any individual who has been convicted of a major crime, felony crime, or any violent crime unless:
a) the applicant has fully completed any and all penalties and conditions and made full legal retribution for the offense or offenses AND
b) no less than five years has passed since the above condition was met.
Applicants are expected to disclose any information regarding a prior conviction for which the above conditions are not met, and any existing member found to be in violation of the above shall have his or her membership terminated immediately.
9. If any member knows that any person within the association is engaged in action, or intends to act in a manner that is a violation of these rules, or will in some way harm the reputation of the association, that member shall alert either or both the chapter president, and board members of the association as soon as reasonably possible. Any documentation or proof of intent/actions should be immediately turned over for disciplinary action, and the proper legal authorities contacted.
10. Any sale or barter of lock picking tools should adhere to applicable laws within the chapter’s region. If an individual wishes to sell or barter tools during the course of an LSI meeting, they shall obtain permission from the chapter president.
11. All members shall conduct themselves with decorum at all meetings/sanctioned association events avoiding slanderous, racist, sexually condescending, and other discriminatory or libelous remarks and actions.
12. A member may serve as an elected chapter president after 3 months of attendance of chapter meetings/events. In the case of a chapter being newly started in an area, the Board retains the power to appoint a chapter president without due election.
13. An applicant for membership to the association, shall not:
a.) knowingly make a false statement of material fact;
b.) fail to respond to a lawful demand from a disciplinary authority for information,
c.) obstruct a lawful investigation by an admissions or disciplinary authority.
14. It is considered misconduct for a member to:
(a) violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so.
(b) commit a criminal or deliberately wrongful act
(c) state openly, imply, or threaten an ability to use common lock sport skills in an illegal manner.
(d) knowingly assist a fellow member in conduct that is a violation of applicable rules or law.
In all cases, any member found to have violated any of the Members Rules of Conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action as passed down from the Association Board and set forth here.
1. Violation of the rules of conduct in non-criminal activity will result in the expulsion and removal of membership status and privileges for a time period of not more than 2 years. The precise time period will be decided on by a tribunal formed from the offender’s chapter president and at least two members of the Board of the Association. Gaining Chapter president status will not be possible permanently should the offender choose to re-join the association.
2. Violation of the rules of conduct resulting in convicted criminal activity will result in permanent removal of membership status and privileges.
Written appeals to a ruling may be made to the current President of the Association. Appeals will be decided upon by the president, up to two other members of the board who were not part of the original disciplinary tribunal, and up to two Chapter Presidents none of whom can be the applicants former Chapter President. Appeals will be decided within 14 business days of the receipt of the written appeal, and the decision of the temporary appeal board will be considered final and irrevocable. It is at the Association President’s discretion whether or not to include Chapter Presidents, but at all times a minimum of three members must comprise the temporary committee, and all meetings must be recorded in either written or electronic format. A written or electronic document will be provided to the applicant within 30 days of receipt of the appeal stating the resulting decision of that committee.
Revised Oct 11, 2005
