GROOMTEAM USA, Inc®
COnflict of interest policy
This policy helps to establish the highest standards in the pet styling profession as stated in the GroomTeam USA, Inc® Code of Conduct and guidelines for point acceptance.
GroomTeam USA, Inc® Board Members, Officers, and Team Coordinator are prohibited from competing in GroomTeam USA, Inc® Sanctioned Classes or judging Open Division in GroomTeam USA, Inc® Sanctioned classes.
1. Competitors will not be eligible to earn GroomTeam points under the following conditions:
- ACCEPTING JUDGING OR APPRENTICE JUDGING ASSIGNMENTS FOR ANY GROOMTEAM SANCTIONED CLASSES. THERE WILL BE A WAITING PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM THE LAST CLASS JUDGED OR THE NEXT TEAM CYCLE, WHICHEVER IS GREATER
- ENTRY PROVIDED BY YOUR JUDGE(S)
- ENTRY PREPARED BY ANY JUDGE(S) THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE SHOW
- FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY JUDGE(S) ASSIGNED DURING THE TIMEFRAME(S) OF THAT SANCTIONED CLASS(ES)
- PERSONAL MENTORING RELATIONSHIP WITH JUDGE(S) ASSIGNED DURING THE TIMEFRAME(S) OF THAT SANCTIONED CLASS(ES). (EXCLUDING POST CONTEST CRITIQUES)
Including:- Private or semi-private instruction (less than six attendees) within four months of competition.
- Instructor/Student/Apprentice within the last six months.
- VESTED BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, DEFINED AS AN INVOLVEMENT HAVING THE ELEMENT OF PERSONAL GAIN, WITHIN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- Employee/Employer/Subcontractor
- Consulting
- Professional Handling or Handling Assistant
- Business Partnership or Venture
2. Show Organizers must adhere to the following conflict of interest policies pertaining to GroomTeam USA, Inc® sanctioned classes to retain sanctioning status. Show management:
- MAY NOT INFLUENCE OR ADVISE CONTEST PLACEMENTS
- MAY NOT UTILIZE THE SERVICES OF JUDGES WHO:
- Are employees/employer (free-lance authors/sub-contractors are exempt).
- Are directly involved with the planning and production of the contest.
- Are relatives of show management.
- Have a business ownership/partnership with show management.
- Use professional handler services for/with show management.
3. Although judge/competitor conflicts of interest are ultimately the competitor’s responsibility, it is in the best interest of show management to hire judges that have retired from the competition ring.
- SHOW MANAGEMENT SHOULD PROHIBIT JUDGES FROM:
- Judging their students, relatives, or employees/employers.
- Judging contestants with whom they have a vested business relationship.
- Providing contest dogs to contestants in a class that they are judging.
- Personally assisting a competitor with dog preparation during the show duration.
GroomTeam USA, Inc® has the responsibility to quickly address issues directly related to the awarding of points as referenced in sections 1, 2, and 3, above. To resolve issues, immediately submit a Grievance Form for the perceived infraction to the attention of the GroomTeam USA, Inc® Board of Directors, Team Liaison, or Team Coordinator. At least one of these GroomTeam USA, Inc® leaders are present at almost all shows. Contact information can be found on the GroomTeam USA, Inc® website.
All other concerns should be brought to the attention of the Show Promoter/Contest Coordinator, utilizing the protocol established for the specific contest in question.