[NFBNJ] Code of Conduct pageOn State Website

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
The affiliate board has read and aproved the Code Of Conduct.
We have forwarded to all on the NFBNJ distribution list and is posted on the 
state website.
Keep well.

We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
973 743 0075
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
www.nfbnj.org
Raising Expectations To Live The Life We Want!

***

Code of Conduct
I. Introduction
The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey. 
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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.


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