[Mn-at-large] NFBMN Code of Conduct

[David Andrews]

>
>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 don’t hesitate to contact me.
>Warm regards,
>Ryan Strunk, President
>
>
>
>NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MINNESOTA CODE OF CONDUCT
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>I. Introduction
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>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 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.
>
>
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>II. Diversity Policy
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>
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>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.
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>
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>III. Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
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>
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>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 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 
>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 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.
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>IV. Social Media and Web Policy
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>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.
>
>
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>V. Conflict of Interest Policy
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>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.
>
>
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>VI. Policy While Interacting with Minors
>
>
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>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.
>
>
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>VII. Alcohol and Drug Policy
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>
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>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.
>
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>VIII. Other General Principles
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>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.
>
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>IX. Violations and Complaint Procedure
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>
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>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.
>
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>X. Minimum Standard
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>
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>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.
>
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>XI. Federation Pledge and Acknowledgement of Code of Conduct
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>
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>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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