Safeguarding Policy

1. Our Commitment

The Dr. Interested Simmon Chang Chess (Against Cancer) Club is a youth-led initiative, and many of the players who take part in our tournaments, events, and community are minors. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful environment for every young person we work with, and to responding seriously and promptly to any concern raised about their wellbeing. This policy sits alongside the wider Dr. Interested Safeguarding Policy.

2. Who This Applies To

This policy applies to everyone who represents the club in any capacity — organizers, tournament directors, arbiters, coordinators, volunteers, and coaches — in all interactions with players, whether at in-person events, online (Lichess, Discord, social media), or over email.

3. Code of Conduct

Everyone representing the club is expected to:

• Treat every player with respect, patience, and professionalism
• Keep communication with players on official, monitorable channels (our Discord, official email) rather than personal accounts, where practical
• Avoid one-on-one, unsupervised, private contact with a minor outside a tournament's normal structure
• Never request or share inappropriate images, messages, or personal information with a minor
• Never provide alcohol, drugs, or other age-restricted substances to a minor
• Follow our AI Policy, our Privacy Policy, and any media consent requirements when photographing or filming players

4. Fair Play

All tournaments are played under standard fair-play rules. Engine assistance, outside help, and result manipulation are prohibited. Where an event is CFC-rated, Chess Federation of Canada rules and its fair-play procedures also apply. Suspected violations are reviewed by the tournament director and may result in removal from the event and forfeiture of the entry fee (which is still donated to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation).

5. Media, Consent, and Minors

Where we photograph, film, or record players at our events, we seek consent in advance — for minors, from a parent or legal guardian — before using that media publicly. See our Media Consent and Release page for details on how that consent works.

6. Reporting a Concern

If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a young person involved with the club — or about the conduct of anyone representing us — please report it as soon as possible to hr@drinterested.org. Reports are taken seriously and handled as confidentially as circumstances allow. If a young person is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services first.

7. Response to Concerns

Where a concern is raised about someone representing the club, we will review the situation and may suspend or remove that person's access, role, or involvement while the matter is looked into, consistent with our Terms and Conditions. Where a concern involves suspected abuse, harm, or illegal conduct, we will refer the matter to the appropriate authorities.

8. Ongoing Review

This policy is reviewed periodically as the club and its programs grow, and updated as needed to reflect current practice.

9. Contact Us

Questions about this Safeguarding Policy can be directed to hr@drinterested.org.