Dear members, friends, and parents of the Belconnen Tennis Club Community,

The club is looking for a Volunteer; as a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO).

The Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) is the first point of contact for any enquiries, concerns or complaints around harassment, abuse and other inappropriate behaviour. They can potentially help to resolve minor issues, but they are there to provide guidance on steps that can be taken and further information about the available complaints procedures. They do not undertake investigations or mediate in complaints.

A good MPIO is someone that is approachable, is good at listening and is a good communicator.

The MPIO doesn’t have to be someone involved on the committee, it could be anyone within the club.

MPIO training is FREE

It requires completion of Two components.

1. Online module – available at Play by the Rules https://www.playbytherules.net.au/online-courses/mpio-online-course
2. Face to Face session – 2 hours run by the Office of Sport. This is currently being offered via webinar – upcoming sessions are located here https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/events/training

There are other Play by the Rules online courses that you may be interested in and all are free and available online: https://www.playbytherules.net.au/online-courses

Some of the topics include:

• Child Protection
• Harassment and Discrimination
• Complaints Management
• Inclusive coaching
• Let Kids Be Kids (sideline conduct)
• Integrity
• Creating a LGBTI inclusive club
• Parents’ guide to clean sport.

There are also resources on Bounce regarding Member Protection and Child-safety https://bounce.tennis.com.au/mod/book/view.php?id=8650, and I know that this is something that our team intend to talk to clubs further about in the near future. In the Manage My Club / Safeguarding Children section there is a Safeguarding Children Club Resource Kit, which has some checklists that can help your club to evaluate and identify any areas of member protection or child-safety that your club might be able to work on. There are also factsheets and posters, which have previously been circulated to clubs – if your club does not have these and would like additional copies sent out please let me know.

For full detail regarding MPIO please watch this video by clicking on the link

Member Protection: https://youtu.be/HhQq_Br899E