[VABS] CODE OF CONDUCT

[Andre Hill]

 Dear VABS Members,

During tomorrow's conference call, I will be going over the Code of Conduct
in general. I will not be reading this entire document. Please make sure
that you read through this in its entirety.



NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF Virginia


CODE OF CONDUCT





I. Introduction


The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia.
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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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
thathe/ 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 Virginia 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.



If you have questions about the Code of Conduct, he will be holding two
conference calls during March to answer questions and address procedural
questions. I am glad to address any questions outside of the conference
calls so do not hesitate to ask. If you have an urgent question or concern,
he can be reach at Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com





Yours Sincerely,

Andre' E. Hill

-Chair, Legislative Committee
Virginia Association of Blind Students
National Federation of the Blind

-Member- Planning Activities Committee & Alumni Advisory Council
Maryland Youth Leadership Forum

-Student Member
Electronic Information & Technology Advisory Board
Tidewater Community College


"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm
going is what inspires me to travel it.”-Rosalía de Castro