[Cinci-nfb] Fwd: [Ohio-talk] Code of conduct

[Sheri Albers]

Please read.

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Date: June 25, 2018 at 7:02:25 AM EDT
> To: "'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List'" <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Richard Payne <rchpay7 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Ohio-talk] Code of conduct
> Reply-To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
> 
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF Ohio CODE OF CONDUCT
> 
> I. Introduction
> The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio is part of a nationwide
> community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the
> nation's blind. The Federation knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back. To help carry out the Federation's
> vital mission, this Code of Conduct sets forth policies and standards that
> all members, especially Federation leaders, are expected to adopt and
> follow. 
> 
> II. Diversity Policy
> The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio embraces diversity and full
> participation as core values in its mission to achieve equality,
> opportunity, and security for the blind. We are committed to building and
> maintaining a statewide organization with local chapters and divisions that
> is unified in its priorities and programs and is directed by the membership.
> We respect differences of opinion, beliefs, identities, and other
> characteristics that demonstrate that blind people are a diverse cross
> section of society. Furthermore, the organization is dedicated to continuing
> to establish new methods of membership and leadership development that
> reflect the diversity of the entire blind community. In promoting a diverse
> and growing organization, we expect integrity and honesty in our
> relationships with each other and openness to learning about and
> experiencing cultural diversity. We believe that these qualities are crucial
> to fostering social and intellectual maturity. Intellectual maturity also
> requires individual struggle with unfamiliar ideas. We recognize that our
> views and convictions will be challenged, and we expect this challenge to
> take place in a climate of tolerance and mutual respect in order to maintain
> a united organization. While we encourage the exchange of differing ideas
> and experiences, we do not condone the use of demeaning, derogatory, or
> discriminatory language, action, or any other form of expression intended to
> marginalize an individual or group. The National Federation of the Blind
> does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color,
> religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national
> origin, citizenship, marital status, age, genetic information, disability,
> or any other characteristic or intersectionality of characteristics. 
> 
> III. Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
> The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio will not tolerate
> discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender identity
> and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, marital
> status, age, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic or
> intersectionality of characteristics. Harassment on the basis of any of
> these characteristics similarly will not be tolerated. Although this Code of
> Conduct establishes a minimum standard prohibiting discrimination and
> harassment, nothing in this Code should be interpreted to limit in any way a
> person's right to report abuse or harassment to law enforcement when
> appropriate. 
> Sexual harassment is prohibited by state and federal law and also will not
> be tolerated by the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio. Complaints of
> harassment may be lodged by a female against a male, by a female against a
> female, by a male against a male, or by a male against a female. Sexual
> harassment is defined as "unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual
> favors, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal or physical
> conduct or communication of a sexual nature." The following conduct is
> either considered conduct that by itself is sexual harassment, or that has
> the potential risk of causing sexual harassment to occur, and this conduct
> is therefore prohibited:
> *    unwelcome inappropriate physical contact or touching;
> *    repeating of sexually suggestive jokes/references/innuendoes and
> comments about an individual's body/sexual prowess/physical
> attributes/dress;
> *    the use of sexually derogatory language/pictures/videos toward/about
> another person;
> *    the use of inappropriate sexual gestures;
> *    sexually suggestive propositions; and
> *    explicit or implicit threats that failure to submit will have
> negative consequences.
> 
> Under this policy, harassment can be verbal, written, or physical conduct
> that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because
> of his or her race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
> identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status,
> citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by
> law; or that of his or her relatives, friends, or associates, and that a)
> has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive
> environment; b) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with
> an individual's performance or involvement in the organization; or c)
> otherwise adversely affects an individual's opportunities for
> participation/advancement in the organization.
> Harassing conduct includes epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping;
> threatening, intimidating or hostile acts including bullying; denigrating
> jokes; and written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or
> aversion toward an individual or group that is placed on walls or elsewhere
> on the organization's premises or circulated by email, phone (including
> voice messages), text messages, social networking sites, or other means.
> 
> 
> 
> IV. Social Media and Web Policy
> All members of the Federation, but especially officers and board members of
> the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio as well as those in leadership
> positions such as chapter and division presidents, should follow these
> recommended guidelines when making comments online, posting to a blog, using
> Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn/YouTube/Pinterest/Instagram/similar tools, and/or
> using other platforms that fall under the definition of social media:
> *    Promote the mission and branding message of the organization in
> comments/posts.
> *    Recognize that you are morally and legally responsible for
> comments/pictures posted online.
> *    Be aware that the audience includes members and nonmembers of the
> NFB, both youth and adults, representing diverse cultures and backgrounds.
> *    Refrain from using profanity/derogatory language.
> *    Post/respond with integrity. Though you may disagree with a post, be
> respectful and factual. Do not fight or air personal grievances online.
> *    Do not post materials that are inappropriate for children/minors to
> view/share/read.
> 
> V. Conflict of Interest Policy
> Each NFB of Ohio officer, board member, or chapter or division president
> (hereafter Federation leader) is expected to take appropriate responsibility
> to protect the Federation from misappropriation or mismanagement of
> Federation funds (including funds of the affiliate, chapter, or division in
> which the Federation leader assumes a leadership role).
> Each Federation leader is expected to disclose the existence of any
> potentially conflicting personal financial interest or relationship to the
> full National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Board of Directors and seek
> its review and approval, as specified below. For example:
> *    A Federation leader must seek board review and approval of his or
> her receipt of salary or compensation of any kind from the Federation
> (including an affiliate, chapter, or division).
> *    A Federation leader must seek board review and approval of receipt
> by his or her spouse, parent, child, sibling, or other close relative of
> salary or compensation of any kind from the Federation (including an
> affiliate, chapter, or division).
> *    A Federation leader must seek board review and approval of any
> ownership interest exceeding 5 percent in or of any salary, compensation,
> commission, or significant tangible gift from any commercial venture doing
> business or seeking to do business with the Federation (including an
> affiliate, chapter, or division). This process will also apply to the review
> of such interests involving spouses, parents, children, siblings, or other
> close relatives.
> *    In reviewing matters brought pursuant to this section, the officer
> or board member seeking state board review and approval will refrain from
> voting.
> *    Each Federation leader shall take appropriate steps to avoid
> unauthorized or inaccurate appearances or official endorsement by the
> Federation (including an affiliate, chapter, or division) of any product,
> service, or activity that has not been so endorsed. For example, because the
> Federation never endorses political parties or candidates for elected
> office, any Federation leader participating in the political process must
> take care to avoid creating an appearance of official Federation
> endorsement.
> 
> VI. Policy While Interacting with Minors
> For purposes of this Code of Conduct and consistent with most legal
> standards, a minor is any individual under the age of eighteen. While
> interacting with any minor, a state officer, board member, or chapter or
> division president (hereafter Federation leader) shall recognize that a
> minor cannot legally give consent for any purpose even if said minor is
> verbally or otherwise expressing consent. For example, a minor may say that
> he/ or she consents to physical interaction. However, such consent is not
> valid or legal and should not be accepted. A parent or guardian must be
> informed and consulted about any action requiring consent from the minor. A
> Federation leader shall report any inappropriate interactions between adults
> and minors to the minor's parents and law enforcement when appropriate.
> 
> VII. Alcohol and Drug Policy
> Although alcoholic beverages are served at some Federation social functions,
> members and Federation leaders may not participate in any such functions in
> a condition that prevents them from participating safely and from conducting
> Federation business effectively or that might cause embarrassment to or
> damage the reputation of the Federation. The Federation prohibits the
> possession, sale, purchase, delivery, dispensing, use, or transfer of
> illegal substances on Federation property or at Federation functions. 
> 
> VIII. Other General Principles
> In addition to the other policies and standards set-forth herein, state
> officers, state board members, and chapter and division presidents
> (hereafter Federation leaders) shall adhere to the following standards:
>            
> *    Federation leaders shall practice accountability and transparency in
> all activities and transactions.
> *    Federation leaders shall foster a welcoming environment at NFB
> meetings, events, and conferences that is a cooperative and productive
> atmosphere for all members and nonmembers.
> *    Federation leaders shall interact with NFB staff in a professional
> manner and follow proper channels of authority and communication. 
> *    Federation leaders shall positively promote the NFB through verbal
> and written communication.
> *    Whenever possible, Federation leaders and members are strongly
> encouraged to handle conflicts or complaints involving other members
> privately, directly, and respectfully. Nothing in this standard is intended
> to limit a Federation leader's or member's right to pursue organizational
> change through appropriate methods or to limit anyone's right to file a
> complaint for violation of this Code when necessary. 
>    
> IX. Violations and Complaint Procedure
> Violations of this Code of Conduct, after first being established through
> the process set-forth below, are subject to disciplinary action by the
> Federation. Such disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to
> counselling, verbal and/or written reprimand, probation, suspension or
> termination of officer/leadership duties, and/or suspension or expulsion
> from the Federation.
> *    Any complaint for a violation of this Code of Conduct shall be filed
> with the state president. The state president shall appoint a committee of
> no more than four persons to investigate the complaint and provide a
> recommendation for action or lack thereof. The committee shall be comprised
> of persons not directly involved in the matters being raised and who can be
> completely unbiased about the individuals and issues addressed in the
> complaint. Every effort shall be made to appoint a committee reflecting the
> broad diversity of individuals in the Federation. The state president shall
> inform the national President in a timely fashion of any complaints filed
> and report on the resolution of such complaints. 
> *    Complaints shall be treated as confidential in order to protect the
> identity and reputation of the person about whom the complaint is filed and
> the person filing the complaint.
> *    All complaints shall be filed as promptly as possible. Except under
> extreme circumstances, no complaint shall be accepted or investigated after
> a year from the time of the alleged violation of this Code.
> *    Complaints that turn out to be false and used for the purpose of
> harassing, intimidating, or retaliating against someone will be subject to
> the same kind of disciplinary action enumerated above.
> *    Any person dissatisfied with the resolution of a complaint may file
> an appeal with the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Board of
> Directors, which may, in its discretion, take such action as it deems
> necessary. If a person is still dissatisfied, such person may raise the
> matter to the national board of directors, which may, in its discretion,
> take whatever action it deems necessary. No national or state board member
> shall participate in the consideration of an appeal under this Code if such
> board member is the subject of the complaint or if such board member cannot
> be completely unbiased, impartial, and fair while considering the matter. 
>            
> X. Minimum Standard
> This Code of Conduct is intended to recite a minimum set of standards
> expected of Federation members. It sets forth the spirit that the Federation
> expects of all of its participants toward each other and toward those who
> work with the Federation at all of its levels. It is intended to be
> interpreted broadly to instill a respectful, cooperative, and welcoming
> spirit in members and in the activities of the Federation. 
> 
> XI. Federation Pledge and Acknowledgement of Code of Conduct
> I, (Federation leader), pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the
> National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and
> security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the
> Federation; and to abide by its Constitution. I further acknowledge that I
> have read this Code of Conduct and that I will follow its policies,
> standards, and principles.
>                
> 
> Note: The Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind
> unanimously adopted this Code of Conduct on January 26, 2018. In adopting
> this Code, the Board expressed its clear intent that this Code shall be
> reviewed annually or at any other time as necessary. 
>                
> 
> 
> 
> Richard Payne,  President
> National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
> 937-396-5573or 937/829/3368
> Rchpay7 at gmail.com
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Ohio-Talk mailing list
> Ohio-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Ohio-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/sheri.albers87%40gmail.com
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