Code of Professional Responsibility

Excerpt from the PSIA-NW Bylaws, ARTICLE XIII, published in the Summer 2010 issue of the NW Snowsports Instructor. These Bylaws were published as a followup piece related to another article in that same issue. You can download a PDF of the Summer 2010 Issue here.

Section 1.  Purpose:

As a member of the snowsport teaching profession, an instructor becomes obliged to fulfill the responsibilities that are serious, sometimes complex, and diversified.  As a professional, the instructor is a part  of a rapidly growing industry.  The instructor has much contact with the public, government agencies and other segments of the industry. As a teacher, the instructor can and will influence students in many respects.  Because of the desire of the snowsport teaching profession to maintain respect and confidence in its relationship with others, this code of professional responsibility has been formulated to provide incentive for the highest degree of ethical conduct. Loss of that respect and confidence is detrimental, both to the profession and its members.  This code is designed to provide an inspiration guide and as a basis for disciplinary action when the conduct of an instructor falls below the required minimum standards established hereby.

(1) An instructor should assist in maintaining the integrity and competence of the snowsport teaching profession.

(2) An instructor shall not:

• Circumvent these rules through the action of another;
• Engage in illegal conduct involving moral turpitude;
• Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
• Engage in any other conduct that adversely reflects upon his or her fitness to teach.

(3) Instructors should assist the snowsport teaching profession in fulfilling its duty to make qualified and competent instruction available to the public. Recognizing that snowsports involve certain inherent risk of injury or harm to participants, instructors shall not:

• Aid non-professional and unqualified persons in teaching;
• Engage in teaching in violation of these rules;
• Teach in an unsafe or incompetent manner.

(4) An instructor should exercise independent professional judgment on behalf of customers.   Instructors shall:

• Consistently demonstrate a positive attitude towards snowsports and teaching;
• Be truthful in all dealings and advice with customers;
• Render professional opinions based upon fact and knowledge, rather than speculation and prejudice;
• Refrain from rendering negative opinions or advice unless truth and good taste require it.

(5) Instructors should assist in improving the snowsport teaching and educational system. Professional instructors shall participate in continuing educational programs designed to maintain and improve their professional competence.

(6) Instructors shall enthusiastically support other elements of the snowsport industry and related service organizations so long as such is not incompatible or in conflict with obligations imposed by this code of professional conduct.  Other elements in the industry include equipment manufacturers, distributors and retailers and area operators. Related service organizations include the United States Coaches Association and its regional divisions, the National Ski Patrol System, and agencies of federal, state and local government responsible for the management of public lands committed to snowsports.

Section 2. Discipline:

It shall be grounds for censure, reprimand or expulsion from this association if a professional instructor is:

1. Convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;
2. Improperly lends his or her name to a snowsport instructional endeavor conducted by persons unqualified to engage in snowsport teaching;
3. Grossly incompetent in snowsport teaching;
4. Abuses privileges granted by virtue of profession from others in the industry such as equipment manufacturers, distributors or retailers, or the operators of the areas;
5. Violates the Code of Professional Responsibility in effect at the time of the conduct;
6. Engages in a course of conduct demonstrating unfitness to teach.

Section 3. Rules and Regulations:

The Board of Directors shall establish and publish rules and regulations for implementing appeals and grievances under the Code of Ethics, which rules and regulations shall be uniformly applied to all members and which shall afford members a hearing on the issues raised.