Purpose
The Midwest Krawlers (also identified as MWK) is a community. Our success as an organization relies on this community continuing to be a place where we all can come together to learn, make connections, and build for the future. To do this, we need to create spaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and that inspire rich conversations. The definitions and code of conduct outlined below are meant to provide positive guidance toward meeting these expectations.
This policy affirms that Midwest Krawlers is committed to providing an environment that is respectful, professional, safe, accepting of cultural differences, and free from inappropriate and abusive behavior. The policy covers the members of the Board of Directors, members, guests, and others who participate in and engage with Midwest Krawlers.
Respect and Fairness
Midwest Krawlers is committed to creating and promoting a professional environment where all members of the organization treat one another with dignity and respect. All members must understand that discrimination, bullying, or harassment of others based on cultural and role difference (including but not limited to age, disability, education, employment, ethnicity, gender, language, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sexual orientation, size, marital or family status, and socio-economic status) is not tolerated. All members will respect the knowledge, insight, experience, and expertise of others, regardless of their career status or length of Midwest Krawlers affiliation, including members of the Midwest Krawlers, staff, volunteers, and general public.
Bullying Definition
The Midwest Krawlers defines bullying as behavior that is offensive, intimidating, malicious, or insulting. This includes abuse and misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying does not need to be deliberate: a person may be demonstrating bullying behavior that falls within the above definition, without intention. Whether intentional or unintentional, bullying is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, as it often causes embarrassment, fear, humiliation, or distress to an individual or a broader group of participants. Bullying often results from a misuse of individual power derived from perceived status/position, physical strength, or force of personality. It can also arise from collective power created by the strength of numbers.
Harassment Definition
The Midwest Krawlers defines harassment as any unwelcome verbal or physical behavior, including sexual advances, when the unwanted conduct has the purpose or effect of either violating another person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. Harassment does not need to be deliberate; a person can be harassing another person without a specific intent to harm, and/or may be unaware of the impact. In some situations, the harassing conduct is so serious that a single incident may constitute unacceptable behavior. At other times, the conduct may become harassment if it is repeated or sustained. The following list provides examples of the types of behaviors that would be considered harassment. Note that this list is not by any means exhaustive, but serves as examples only:
- Unwelcome physical contact or physical interaction: This may range from unnecessary touching or brushing against another’s body, physical assault, coercing sexual intercourse, physical threats, or insulting or abusive behaviors or gestures. This may also encompass invading someone’s “personal space” by standing very close to him/her where this is unnecessary.
- Unwelcome verbal conduct: This may include the making of remarks and comments about appearance or abilities, lewd comments, sexual advances, innuendo and banter, the making or repetition of offensive or stereotyped comments, jokes or songs, the making of threats, or the making of demeaning comments.
- Unwelcome written or visual interaction: This may include sending unwelcome or bullying emails, notes, or pictures, as well as displaying or sending offensive material on any Midwest Krawlers social- media/websites/blogs, etc.
- Harassment, bullying and victimization of members, or by members by electronic methods Given the degree of current reliance upon electronic means of communication it should be specifically noted that harassment, bullying, and victimization by members by electronic means is unacceptable.
Membership Code of Conduct
This document sets the code of conduct expected of all members of the Midwest Krawlers and is a condition of membership. It applies to all members, irrespective of their membership type, the role they fulfill, or the jurisdiction in which they live or work. As a Member of Midwest Krawlers, I will: ● Abide by the rules of Midwest Krawlers as set out in the Organizational Code of Conduct;
- Uphold the reputation and good standing of Midwest Krawlers;
- Act with integrity and respect toward others;
- Act, support, respect, and abide by the appropriate laws and policies in general that apply to personal conduct;
- Act in the general interest and will not use my position to unfairly benefit myself, my employer, or others;
- Promptly pay membership fees as part of continued membership and keep my information updated;
- Avoid conflicts of interest in accepting and carrying out any responsibility for Midwest Krawlers, and, if a conflict of interest arises, will disclose the conflict and abstain or resign from affected Midwest Krawlers responsibilities as appropriate;
- Not make any statement on behalf of Midwest Krawlers or act to represent Midwest Krawlers in any official capacity through any public medium, including digital social media, unless authorized to do so by Midwest Krawlers; and must reject and will not make any offer of bribery or unethical inducement;
- Behave legally, responsibly and conduct themselves in a manner which will not harm, cause embarrassment or injure the reputation of the Club, its events, organizers, participants or sponsors.
- Conduct all business with Midwest Krawlers Board of Directors, staff, members, and volunteers in a professional and respectful manner;
Breaches of this Code of Conduct
- Any member not behaving in accordance with the terms of the Code of Conduct at an event of the Club may be asked to leave the function and will not be entitled to a refund of any monies paid.
- The inappropriate behavior of any members will be investigated by the Midwest Krawlers Board of Directors. If a violation of this Code of Conduct is verified, an appropriate course of action will be taken which may include a warning, suspension or revocation of membership.