[Mn-at-large] NFBMN Code of Conduct
David Andrews
dandrews at visi.com
Sun Jun 3 21:29:53 UTC 2018
>
>Greetings, fellow federationists,
>In the National Federation of the Blind of
>Minnesota, we believe in helping all blind
>people live the lives they want, and we do so
>regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation,
>disability, age, or anything else someone might
>attempt to use to divide us. We do not
>discriminate, and we want all blind people to
>know they are welcome here. In addition, our
>leaders hold themselves to a high, ethical
>standard of behavior so that we can represent
>the organizationand all blind peoplewith
>integrity and treat one another with respect.
>I am pleased to announce that the board of
>directors of the National Federation of the
>Blind of Minnesota has adopted an official code
>of conduct that makes these expectations clear.
>You will find that code of conduct below, along
>with my signature as president of the National
>Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.
>I am honored to be part of an organization that
>believes in the potential of all blind
>Minnesotans and promises to treat everyone with dignity.
>If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact me.
>Warm regards,
>Ryan Strunk, President
>
>
>
>NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MINNESOTA CODE OF CONDUCT
>
>
>
>
>
>
>I. Introduction
>
>
>
>The National Federation of the Blind of
>Minnesota is part of a nationwide community of
>members and friends who believe in the hopes and
>dreams of the nations 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 Federations 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
>Minnesota 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
>Minnesota 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 persons 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
>Minnesota. 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 individuals 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 individuals performance or
>involvement in the organization; or c) otherwise
>adversely affects an individuals 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 organizations 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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
>Minnesota 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 minors 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 leaders or members right to pursue
> organizational change through appropriate
> methods or to limit anyones 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
> Minnesota 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, Ryan Strunk, 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.
>
>
>
>
>Ryan Strunk, President
><mailto:president at nfbmn.org>president at nfbmn.org
>www.nfb.org
><http://www.nfbmn.org>www.nfbmn.org
>(612) 872-9363
>Live the life you Want.
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