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