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Swim Alberta will institute and maintain the best and most progressive development and high performance competitive swimming programme.   In order to achieve this volunteer officials are integral to the development of the sport of swimming as they provide the opportunity for athletes to compete.

At Swim Alberta we value Excellence, Integrity, Innovation and Collaboration.  Excellence is the quality or state of being outstanding and superior in programming, service, operations and performance.  Integrity is the quality of possessing and adhering to high moral principles and professional standards.  Innovation is enhancing and creating leading edge programmes, methods and delivery models for the advancement of swimming.  Collaboration is effectively working with swimmers, coaches, clubs volunteers and partners. Officials  have a role in ensuring they operate within the values set out by Swim Alberta and additionally have a role to  ensure that none of their actions or decisions conflict with the rules of swimming.

This code of conduct outlines the relationship that officials and Swim Alberta have with each other, it also outlines the responsibilities that Swim Alberta has to it’s officials as well as the responsibilities that officials have to Swim Alberta – and ultimately our swimmers.

Swim Alberta believes that officials are a valuable human resource and play an important role in achieving our mission and assisting in the development of our swimmers. Swim Alberta commits to our officials by:

• Offering an officials programme that has adequate resources, is well managed and has the appropriate infrastructure to ensure officials are working in a supportive environment;
• Ensuring officials receives a thorough orientation and effective training to their roles;
• Providing the necessary mentoring and accessible support so that officials can fulfill their commitment;
• Informing officials of new programs, services and changes to policy, rules and other technical information that impacts your ability to be an effective official;
• Creating an environment where there is open communication, a sense of teamwork and respect for diversity between officials, yet recognizing that the sport of swimming is technical in many aspects;
• Providing ongoing opportunities to learn, grow and develop as officials;
• Providing a process to officials to have an opportunity to report and have action taken on mistreatment, poor conduct or violations of this code, through the Complaints and Disciplinary Policy of Swim Alberta.
• Recognizing officials for their contributions and accomplishments in both formal and informal ways.
• Provide insurance coverage when an official is working with or on behalf of Swim Alberta.

As officials, you act as ambassadors for the sport of swimming and Swim Alberta.  Because of this important role, we expect our Officials to adhere to general standards of personal conduct:

• Participate in orientation, training and ongoing development opportunities that are provided to officials;
• Take responsibility for ensuring as an official that you are maintaining and updating your knowledge of the rules and rule changes as they pertain to competitions;
• Work within the boundaries of your official’s position description while supporting the work of other officials on deck. 
• Act as an ambassador of Swim Alberta by agreeing to enforce and abide by the rules of Swimming/Natation Canada and taking ownership for actions and decisions made while officiating;
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all other persons – swimmers, coaches, volunteers and parents;
• Conduct themselves openly, professionally, lawfully and in good faith in the best interests of Swim Alberta, swimmers, coaches, other officials and parents;
• Approach your officiating responsibilities as you would approach other professional commitments;
• Be fair, equitable, considerate and honest in all dealings with others;
• Respect the confidentiality appropriate to issues of a sensitive nature, which may include disqualifications, process and appeals as well as specific information and data about individuals;
• All members of Swim Alberta are bound by the organizations Confidentiality Policy.
• Promote a team spirit by respecting differences in people, valuing diversity of opinion and working with others to achieve the best decisions for our athletes in competition;
• Maintain a fair and courteous attitude during  officiating of the competition;
• Demonstrate respect for the athletes and the sport by ensuring that you dress in proper attire for officiating.