Code of Conduct & Ethics
CODE OF CONDUCT
Act in a professional and businesslike manner at all times and take your role seriously.
Strive to provide a safe and sportsmanlike environment in which players can properly display their lacrosse skills.
Know all playing rules, their interpretations, and their proper application.
Remember that officials are teachers. Set a good example.
Make your calls with quiet confidence; never with arrogance.
Manage and help control games in cooperation with the coaches to provide a positive and safe experience for all participants.
Violence must never be tolerated.
Be fair and impartial at all times.
Answer all reasonable questions and requests.
Adopt a “zero tolerance” attitude toward verbal or physical abuse.
Never use foul or vulgar language when speaking with a player, coach, or parent.
Use honesty and integrity when answering questions.
Admit your mistakes when you make them.
Never openly criticize a coach, player, or fellow official.
Keep your emotions under control.
Use only USA Lacrosse-approved officiating techniques and policies.
Maintain your health through a physical conditioning program.
Dedicate yourself to personal improvement and maintenance of officiating skills.
Respect your supervisor and his/her critique of your performance.
CODE OF ETHICS
The purposes of the Montana Lacrosse Officials Association (MTLOA) Code of Ethics are briefly summarized through the following provisions:
First, to provide our members a meaningful set of guidelines for their professional conduct and to provide them with agreed-upon standards of practice;
Second, to provide to others (i.e. players, coaches, administrators, fans, media) criteria by which to judge our actions as “professionals.”
The MTLOA has adopted this Code and strongly urges its members and officials to adhere to its principles. By doing so, notice is given that we recognize the need to preserve and encourage confidence in the professionalism of Lacrosse officiating. This confidence must first be fostered within the “community” of Lacrosse officials and then within the public generally.
The MTLOA believes the integrity of officiating rests on the integrity and ethical conduct of each individual official. This integrity and conduct are the very basis of the future, well-being and growth of Lacrosse and the effectiveness of this Association. The Association shall, by programs of education and other means, encourage acceptance and implementation of these Articles.
To these ends, the MTLOA declares acceptance of this Code:
ARTICLE I – Our Lacrosse officials must be free of obligation to any interest other than the impartial and fair judging of sports competitions. Without equivocation, game decisions, which are slanted by personal bias, are dishonest and unacceptable.
ARTICLE II – Our Lacrosse officials recognize that anything that may lead to a conflict of interest, either real or apparent, must be avoided. Gifts, favors, special treatment, privileges, employment or a personal relationship with a school or team, which can compromise the perceived impartiality of officiating, should be avoided when possible.
ARTICLE III – Our Lacrosse officials have an obligation to treat other officials with professional dignity and courtesy and recognize that it is inappropriate to criticize other officials publicly.
ARTICLE IV – Our Lacrosse officials have a responsibility to continuously seek self-improvement through the study of the game, rules, mechanics, and techniques of game management. They have a responsibility to accurately represent their qualifications and abilities when requesting or accepting officiating assignments.
ARTICLE V – Our Lacrosse officials shall not be party to actions designed to unfairly limit or restrain access to officiating, officiating assignments or association membership. This includes selection for positions of leadership based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical handicap, country or national origin.
ARTICLE VI – Our Lacrosse officials must maintain a high level of personal conduct, not only at game sites, but in their personal life and accordingly must not engage in any criminal, dishonest, disgraceful, or immoral conduct, or any other conduct which might reasonably adversely affect the association, our relations with the schools, teams, players, other officials or the public.
Social Media Policy
We all represent the officiating industry. Promote officiating in a positive light and with a general feeling of pride and professionalism. We are ambassadors for officiating.
It is inappropriate to communicate specifics about your assignments, other officials, coaches, players, or any related personnel.
It is unacceptable to carry a cell phone on the field at any time and cell phones shall not be used to determine a ruling during a contest.
Do not engage in specific play and or ruling evaluation/commentary, whether it be of a game you worked, one that you witnessed, or in general about the impact of officials in any sporting event.
Consider that your communication may be read by anyone at any time. Even texts, emails, and other forms of direct communication may be made public.
Authorized representatives of the board may post information with the board’s consent to the MTLOA social media platforms. Members may repost any official communication.