Appeals

Appeals Procedure

Steps and guidlines for filing an appeal of your class handicap with PHRF-LO.

The first step in any appeal of a PHRF-LO handicap is to discuss the situation with your local club handicapper. He/she will confirm whether an appeal is necessary or appropriate and will help guide you through the process.

FILING THE APPEAL

The CERTIFICATE HOLDER may appeal his/her own or any other handicap with the following proviso:

  1. The appeal must contain a completed copy of the PHRF-LO Appeal Form.
  2. The appeal must contain supporting objective data limited to a maximum of (5) five single sheets.
  3. A copy of that appeal must be forwarded either electronically or by post to the PHRF-LO Administrative office.
  4. The appellant acknowledges, that if the appeal is against another boat or class, the PHRF-LO Administration office shall notify the CERTIFICATE HOLDER(s) affected (if an email address is available) that their handicap is being appealed.
  5. The appellant acknowledges, that the appeal may require multi-level reviews that would be addressed during regular scheduled meetings.

1st LEVEL REVIEW - HANDICAPPER

The HANDICAPPER(s) who represent the appealing CERTIFICATE HOLDER shall first review such appeal.

The Club HANDICAPPER shall “acknowledge receipt of”, and “respond and comment” to the appellant on his/her appeal within (30) thirty days of receiving the written appeal.

1st Level Review Actions

  1. The CERTIFICATE HOLDER may, if dissatisfied with the decision of the HANDICAPPER, may appeal that decision to their DISTRICT.
  2. The HANDICAPPER, if in support of the CERTIFICATE HOLDERs appeal, may forward the appeal to the DISTRICT Chief HANDICAPPER requesting that the Appeal be reviewed at the next DISTRICT Meeting.

Updated Jan 2017

2nd Level Review - District

The DISTRICT representing the CERTIFICATE HOLDER shall be the second review of the appeal.

The DISTRICT Council shall provide the appellant with a written response to his/her appeal, within (30) days of the DISTRICT hearing the appeal.

The appeal will be reviewed with the following proviso:

  • The appeal must be received a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the next DISTRICT Meeting to allow for proper distribution.
  • The Original Appeal and supporting documentation must be submitted to the DISTRICT Chief for distribution.
  • The appeal must be accompanied by the written statement from the local HANDICAPPER(s).
  • When the DISTRICT Council hears the appeal, the local HANDICAPPER(s) concerned shall not vote.

2nd Level Review Actions

  1. The DISTRICT will review the appeal and note all discussions, motions and/or actions in the minutes to their DISTRICT meeting.
  2. The CERTIFICATE HOLDER may, if dissatisfied with the decision of the DISTRICT, may appeal that decision to CENTRAL COUNCIL

Updated Jan 2017

10.4 3rd LEVEL REVIEW – CENTRAL COUNCIL

CENTRAL COUNCIL will review all appeals that fall into one of the following three categories:

  1. The CERTIFICATE HOLDER is dissatisfied with the decision of the DISTRICT and has requested a review by CENTRAL COUNCIL.
  2. The DISTRICT noted in their minutes that they feel the appeal warrants review by CENTRAL COUNCIL.
  3. The DISTRICT noted in their minutes that the appeal warrants action but Class of Boat is not Unique to that DISTRICT.

The appeal will be reviewed with the following proviso:

  • The CENTRAL COUNCIL shall not hear the appeal until the next scheduled CENTRAL COUNCIL meeting.
  • All appeals will be reviewed by one of the Assistant Chief HANDICAPPERs (or a delegate) prior to being presented to CENTRAL COUNCIL.
  • The appeal must be accompanied by the written statement from the local HANDICAPPER(s) and the DISTRICT Meeting minutes where the appeal was reviewed.
  • The DISTRICT Chief HANDICAPPER from the DISTRICT of origin shall not vote on the final appeal.

Updated Jan 2017

Rules and Guidlines
As stated in the Bylaws Section of the PHRF-LO Handicappers Manual

APPEAL RULES AND GUIDELINES

RACE RESULTS

Appeals will be heard on the basis of received race results. No appeal will be heard from any Member Club that has been delinquent in sending results for presentation at the AGM, for both of the previous 2 racing seasons prior to an appeal being presented to the CENTRAL COUNCIL.

Exceptions and conditions:

  1. Such appeals will be held over until their clubs race results can be presented at an Annual General Meeting.
  2. The CENTRAL COUNCIL of HANDICAPPERs may vote to accept/review an appeal from a Member Club with an inactive racing program.
  3. In cases where there is an absence of race results due to an inactive racing program at the individual’s Member Club, an appeal may be considered given the CERTIFICATE HOLDER can supply:

● Information showing other results from around the Lake that have been included in the race analysis presented at the AGM.
● A written statement from the Member Club’s Board of Directors or an Executive Member of the Member Club, describing their present racing program.

Any handicap change based on a successful appeal at the CENTRAL COUNCIL will remain in effect until the next CENTRAL COUNCIL meeting held in conjunction with the AGM.

Exception to above:

If the appeal was against another class of yacht and in review, had merit, sailors with the affected class of yacht may launch an appeal if they are unhappy with the revised handicap. (i.e.: allow CERTIFICATE HOLDERs of the affected class an opportunity to respond/defend their current handicap)

No Response to 1st or 2nd Level Review

In the event that the appellant is unable to obtain a response from either the Club HANDICAPPER or DISTRICT Chief, the appeal may be forwarded to the Assistant Chief HANDICAPPER for that “DISTRICT Area” who shall contact either the “Member Club” or “DISTRICT” to rectify the situation and shall respond and/or direct the appellant.

Updated Jan 2017

CONFLICT OF INTEREST  - applicable to all handicap discussions.

In the event of commercial or perceived conflict of interest, these must be declared openly before any action that may reflect on any issue for discussion.  If any individual Handicapper or Member of Central Council has a direct interest in any item for discussion he/she must declare this before decisions are taken and absent himself/herself from the discussion and voting.