[Ohio-talk] code of conduct

[Sherry Ruth]

Richard, if I didn't do this already I agree to this code.  Sherry Ruth

> _____________________________________________ 
> From: 	Ohio-Talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]  On Behalf
> Of Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk
> Sent:	Thursday, March 08, 2018 6:13 AM
> To:	'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List'
> Cc:	Richard Payne
> Subject:	[Ohio-talk] code of conduct
> 
> Greetings you will find the code of conduct policy for the National
> federation of the Blind of Ohio in the body of this message. The state
> board of directors have already voted to adopt this code of conduct. I
> think that all the chapter presidents have all agreed to it also. You
> should read it and understand that it is now the code of conduct for the
> affiliate.
> 
> 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
> 
>  << File: ATT00036.txt >> 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: winmail.dat
Type: application/ms-tnef
Size: 9810 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20180308/5c5bc1c9/attachment.bin>