2.2 Risk Management Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Fencing-Escrime New Brunswick (FENB) identifies, assesses, and manages potential risks that could affect the organization’s operations, reputation, financial integrity, and the safety of participants.
Risk management supports sound decision-making and safeguards FENB’s people, assets, and programs while promoting accountability and continuous improvement.
Scope
This policy applies to all FENB activities, including tournaments, programs, training, governance, and partnerships. It encompasses physical safety, financial controls, data protection, and reputational risk.
It covers the Board of Directors, Executive Director, staff, volunteers, officials, coaches, and athletes. It also extends to affiliated clubs and partner organizations acting under FENB’s authority.
Policy
Risk Management Framework
FENB shall maintain a proactive and systematic approach to identifying, analyzing, and responding to risks associated with its operations.
Risk management is an integral part of organizational decision-making, planning, and program delivery.
The Executive Director will serve as the designated Risk Manager and ensure that all significant risks are logged, monitored, and reported to the Board.
The Board of Directors retains overall responsibility for risk oversight and approves the annual risk register and mitigation strategies.
Identification and Assessment
FENB will identify risks using input from staff, coaches, clubs, and external partners.
Risks will be assessed based on their likelihood and potential impact and prioritized accordingly within the risk register.
Risk categories include:
Strategic – governance, planning, or compliance failures
Operational – health, safety, or logistical issues at events
Financial – fraud, budget variance, or funding loss
Reputational – misconduct, social-media incidents, or data breaches
Compliance – failure to meet laws, insurance, or policy obligations
Risk Mitigation and Controls
Each identified risk will have a mitigation plan specifying ownership, response strategy, and timeline. Strategies include avoidance, reduction, transfer (through insurance), or acceptance.
FENB has a low tolerance for risks that may compromise participant safety, safeguarding, legal compliance, or ethical standards.
FENB shall ensure appropriate insurance coverage is maintained for liability, property, accident, and directors’ and officers’ insurance as outlined in the Insurance and Legal Compliance Policy (Section 2.12).
Safety risks at events or programs will be addressed in coordination with the Safe Sport, Conduct, and Athlete Protection Policy (Section 2.1) and the Crisis and Emergency Management Policy (Section 2.17).
Monitoring, Reporting, and Incident Management
The Executive Director will review and update the risk register at least annually and whenever major changes occur.
Material risks or incidents will be reported to the Board immediately, with follow-up actions documented.
Incident reporting and response under this policy will align with established procedures under the Safe Sport and Athlete Welfare Policy and the Crisis and Emergency Management Policy, as applicable.
Lessons learned from risk events will be integrated into updated mitigation strategies and shared with relevant stakeholders.
Roles and Shared Responsibility
While the Board and Executive Director hold oversight and coordination responsibilities, risk management is a shared responsibility.
All FENB representatives — including staff, volunteers, officials, coaches, and affiliated clubs — are expected to identify, mitigate, and report risks within their scope of responsibility.
Training and Awareness
FENB will provide training to staff, volunteers, and clubs on identifying and reporting potential risks.
Orientation for new Board and committee members will include an overview of this policy and FENB’s risk-management framework.
Training and awareness activities will be proportionate to role and responsibility.
Review
This policy shall be reviewed every two years or sooner in response to changes in legislation, best practice, or organizational structure.
Related Policies
Safe Sport, Conduct, and Athlete Protection Policy (Section 2.1)
Insurance and Legal Compliance Policy (Section 2.12)
Crisis and Emergency Management Policy (Section 2.17)
Approved April 2026