Celtic Tabletop & DagdaCon Complaints Policy

This policy outlines the methods that Celtic Tabletop will use to handle complaints and potential violations of the Code of Conduct (CoC) at our events, including DagdaCon. This process can only deal with complaints which fall within our remit. Any complaints deemed to be outside our scope will be referred to other organisations where appropriate.

The best way of communicating queries or feedback to Celtic Tabletop is via our email address.

This policy shall be amended as required. The person raising the complaint shall be referred to as the Complainant. The person whom the complaint is about shall be referred to as the Subject of the Complaint (SOC).

1. Definitions

• Serious Misconduct: Actions that are severe, egregious, or significantly harmful. They result in substantial negative consequences for individuals or the organisation.

• Sustained Misconduct: Behaviour that persists over time, indicating a pattern rather than an isolated incident.

• Unacceptable Behaviour: Actions that directly violate the established rules, regulations, or Code of Conduct of the event. This includes disrespectful conduct, harmful actions (physical, emotional, or reputational), and discriminatory or offensive language.

• Staff: Any member of the Celtic Tabletop team, event committee, or volunteer acting in an official capacity at DagdaCon.

2. The role of Celtic Tabletop

Celtic Tabletop's primary role is to ensure a safe and secure event for all attendees. This policy explains:

• Matters we generally can and cannot deal with.

• How to raise a complaint about an event attendee, staff member, or volunteer.

• How we will deal with complaints about CoC breaches.

• What to expect if you raise a complaint with us.

• What to expect if you are the subject of a complaint.

• How we decide on the outcome.

3. Matters we ordinarily deal with

Where an issue is raised regarding an attendee, volunteer, or staff member, the principal focus of Celtic Tabletop is on whether there has been a breach of the CoC. For example:

• A risk of significant loss or damage to the event or its attendees.

• Serious or sustained misconduct by those in attendance at a Celtic Tabletop event.

• Where a person presents themselves as being a staff member or volunteer when they are not.

4. Matters we will not ordinarily deal with

• Matters that do not relate to our events or organisation.

• Complaints relating to services provided by venues, which should be raised with the venue directly.

• Personal grievances a person may have with an individual that do not violate the Code of Conduct.

5. How to raise a Complaint

Anyone can raise a complaint about an individual with Celtic Tabletop. If you wish to raise a complaint with us, please notify a staff or committee member at the event, or email us at info@dagdacon.ie.

Anonymous Complaints: While we will accept anonymous complaints, it may not be possible to progress the complaint in terms of further enquiry or examination in the absence of contact details.

Complaints raised via Third Parties: We will not usually deal with a complaint via a third party unless there is a valid and necessary reason to do so.

6. What to expect if you raise Complaints with us

We aim to conclude our enquiries as quickly as possible. However, some enquiries may be complex and require input from many sources.

• The Complainant's identity will not typically be disclosed to the SOC. However, there may be circumstances where we are legally required to provide it.

• We will not comment on or give updates on enquiries while they are ongoing, as this could prejudice the investigation.

• Our decision regarding a particular complaint is final.

7. What to expect if you are the subject of a Complaint

We will generally contact you if it is established that the complaint raised in respect of your conduct merits enquiry.

• Contacting the SOC does not imply that we agree with the complaint or that there has been any wrongdoing.

• We will explain the complaint to you in general terms and will ask for information to help us better understand the issues.

• We will not disclose the identity of those who have raised complaints unless we have been given permission or have a legal obligation to do so.

8. How we decide on the outcome

In making a decision, we will consider all information obtained during our enquiries and any ongoing risk to the event and its attendees.

• Where non-compliance is identified, we will consider any corrective action already taken.

• We may decide that it is not proportionate or necessary to take a matter forward. In such cases, we will keep the information on record and may refer to it in the future if another complaint about the same individual is raised.

• We may take measures such as issuing a warning, or any other action up to and including expulsion from the event and banning from future events.

9. Legal Disclaimer

This policy is intended to explain how Celtic Tabletop deals with complaints. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a definitive statement of the law in this area.