| As the end of the year and the decade comes to a close, it’s a natural time to reflect on the Board’s goals and how we’ve worked to achieve them. The board recognizes the importance of being proactive — that’s why creating needed policies in key areas is one of three goals on our roadmap for the year. Our membership has grown significantly since 2016, as has steady visitation. As a larger congregation that is still growing, it’s important that we have the policies in place needed to enable and sustain this — particularly around Safe Congregation practices. We consulted numerous sources to craft policies in line with good practices, including our values at WES, the Ethical Culture mission and vision, and borrowing from existing policies at UUA congregations. Then at the Board’s December 10, 2019 meeting, we approved two policies and definitions, on harassment and sexual harassment-misconduct. These are shared below. We are happy to have come this far and know there is more to do. Our next steps include approving a third policy on disruptive behavior and creating procedures for all three policies on how to address consequences or violations. Later this board year, we hope to work with WES members to find the best ways to implement them and to make these policies a seamless aspect of our shared community. Our work is not done, but we continue forward to make WES a safer congregation for all members, staff, and visitors. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the trustees (emailtoboard@ethicalsociety.org) as we appreciate hearing your feedback and questions. The WES Board of TrusteesJosh Blinder, Margaret Conway, Trang Duong, Kristin Hunter, Kate Lang, Doug Miller, Lauren Strange ~~~ These policies apply to all people at a WES-sponsored event, including staff, members, visitors, renters, and vendors; and to people in the WES building if a WES member, staff, or friend is involved in the incident. Harassment can be experienced by individuals who are not the intended target of the harassment. Policy: Harassment Statement of policy The Washington Ethical Society (WES) affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person. WES is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment free from all forms of discrimination and from any conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive. Harassment of any kind (e.g., actions, words, jokes, or comments) based on an individual’s sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, ability, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, or any other personal characteristic will not be tolerated at WES. Definitions Harassment is any form of conduct that demeans, threatens, intimidates, or coerces. Harassing conduct may be repeated or an egregious single instance; it is either known or may be reasonably understood to be unwanted. Verbal harassment includes comments that are offensive or unwelcome, including epithets, slurs, innuendo, and stereotyping. Physical harassment includes physical contact, action, or presence that is offensive, unwelcome, or persistent, including hazing, stalking, using physical presence to intimidate, and other unwanted physical contact. Visual forms of harassment includes derogatory or offensive cartoons, drawings, or other types of images. [For any instances of sexual harassment, refer to policy, “Sexual Harassment – Misconduct.”] Policy: Sexual Harassment-Misconduct Statement of policy The Washington Ethical Society (WES) affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person. WES is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment free from all forms of sexual misconduct, abuse, molestation, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. See the WES Employee Handbook for sexual harassment policy regarding staff. See the SEEK policies for special guidelines that pertain to children and youth at WES. Definitions Sexual harassment is any form of conduct of a sexual nature that demeans, threatens, intimidates, or coerces. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, attention, or touching; requests for sexual favors; and other verbal engagement or physical contact of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment also includes harassment on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, self-identified or perceived sex, gender expression, gender identity, and/or status of being transgender. |