Code of Conduct for Common Ground Pacific
The Code of Conduct defines the expectations Common Ground Pacific has for appropriate, respectful, and professional behavior at Common Ground Pacific.
By following these parameters, you’re ensuring that the organization is inclusive, safe, and fair for all volunteers, members, students, and others under Common Ground Pacific.
Scope
This Code of Conduct applies to all members of Common Ground Pacific. This includes tutors, Board of Directors, volunteers, students, and all persons involved with Common Ground Pacific.
It also includes full-time and temporary members at Common Ground Pacific. No matter your role or location, these guidelines are designed to ensure understanding of what is expected at Common Ground Pacific.
Common Ground Pacific’s Core Beliefs
Common Ground Pacific is committed to building a community based around trust, responsibility, safety, and collaboration. To support this vision, Common Ground Pacific asks members, volunteers, and all persons under Common Ground Pacific to support our core beliefs:
Prioritize Safety: The safety and well-being of students, volunteers, members, and community partners must always come first. Volunteers, members, students, and all persons supporting Common Ground Pacific’s safety shall be protected at all times. All actions taken during the time with Common Ground Pacific must be in the best interest of everyone involved.
Act with Integrity: Before making a decision, ask yourself, does it reflect Common Ground Pacific’s mission positively? Always double-check before making an impactful decision.
Don’t be afraid to collaborate: Common Ground Pacific was founded by students, for students. Thus, a collaborative community is desirable for the best interests of all parties involved.
Treat everyone with respect: Never act with malicious intent; our organization includes people from all walks of life. Kindness and respect towards everyone involved at Common Ground Pacific are appreciated and expected.
Reporting Concerns and Code of Conduct Violations
At Common Ground Pacific, we take Code of Conduct concerns seriously. If something doesn’t feel right, please speak up to the current Board of Directors or Founders.
We do our best to protect the identity of anyone who reports a concern. However, depending on the situation, anonymity may not always be possible due to legal requirements.
Anyone who reports a violation of the Code of Conduct will not face punishment or backlash. However, making a false report with proof of ill intentions will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
Compliance
Everyone involved with Common Ground Pacific (i.e., Tutors, volunteers, students, Board of Directors, Founders, and all persons under Common Ground Pacific) is expected to follow the Code of Conduct. This includes state and federal laws related to safety, environmental standards, and fair practices.
We also expect ethical conduct during partnerships or any actions related to Common Ground Pacific.
Respect and Inclusion
Common Ground Pacific is committed to building a community that’s diverse, inclusive, and respectful. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is a violation of this Code of Conduct. Such actions violate all that Common Ground Pacific stands for.
If you’ve experienced or witnessed instances of inappropriate behavior or any actions that violate this Code of Conduct, please report them to the current Board of Directors or Founders. Every concern will be taken seriously.
Professional Conduct
All individuals representing Common Ground Pacific are expected to conduct themselves professionally and responsibly.
Members, volunteers, tutors, and Board members must:
Be punctual and reliable
Communicate respectfully and professionally.
Follow organizational policies and procedures.
Represent Common Ground Pacific honestly and accurately.
Avoid conflicts of interest that could interfere with the organization’s mission.
Avoid actions that are actual or implied violations of bylaws, code of conduct, or conflict of interest policy.
Child Safety and Protection
When working with Common Ground Pacific, the safety and well-being of students is a top priority. Tutors and other individuals working with students must:
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students
Treat all students with respect and dignity
Never ask for personal information of students that is not willingly shared by the student
Never engage in abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or inappropriate behavior
Never speak in abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or inappropriate language
Follow all organizational safety procedures
Immediately report concerns regarding student safety to the Board of Directors and Founders if they arise
Confidentiality
Individuals may learn personal information about students, volunteers, or partners while participating in activities with Common Ground Pacific.
Tutors and members of Common Ground Pacific must maintain confidentiality regarding organizational, financial, and personal information. Members shall keep all names, images, and personal information of participants in the program, such as tutorees, private and confidential. Members shall not request personal information from participants who do not wish to share beyond what is reasonably necessary for participation.
Personal information includes address, contact information, photographs, or other identifying details. Participation in sharing personal information shall always be voluntary, and no participant shall be pressured to disclose information they are not comfortable sharing.
Social Media and Publications
Members and volunteers must use good judgment when posting about Common Ground Pacific online.
Individuals may not:
Misrepresent Common Ground Pacific or its activities
Share confidential information, including addresses, contacts, or other identifying details
Photographs of individuals may not be posted or shared without consent from said individual
Post content that could reasonably harm the organization’s reputation, volunteers, students, or partners
Disciplinary Action
Violating the Code of Conduct of Common Ground Pacific is taken seriously.
Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, disciplinary action may be taken:
A written or verbal warning
Temporary suspension
Removal from Common Ground Pacific
Common Ground Pacific’s goal is to handle these situations ethically, with the attention they need, while giving everyone involved the opportunity to respond.