Lisa Anderson for Bellingham City Council
Code of Conduct & Resolution Procedures
CAMPAIGN CODE OF CONDUCT
Friends for Lisa Anderson for Bellingham City Council is a private entity controlled by Lisa Anderson, candidate for Bellingham City Council, Ward 5, in 2023. We adopt this Code of Conduct to govern interpersonal relations during the course of this existence. The candidate, paid staff, contractors, and volunteers will be committed to achieving a safe and respectful environment that is free of harassment, bullying or intimidation. All campaign members shall have zero-tolerance for behavior that encourages, fosters, or creates an environment that makes those working together feel unsafe and/or uncomfortable.
All campaign volunteers and workers – candidates, paid staff, interns, and contractors who will work with other campaign workers – who will supervise others will be required to acknowledge and agree to this code of conduct as a condition of employment. This code of conduct will be made visible to all campaign volunteers and workers.
The goal of this document is to ensure that each member of the campaign team feels valued, safe, and supported within the team structure. To that end, in addition to being a condition for employment, this document is intended to serve a dual purpose: to ensure that all members of the campaign team undergo explicit education in the expectations that the campaign leadership have defined and to ensure that resources for taking appropriate action are available, should they prove necessary.
I, Lisa Anderson, understand that the following values, policies, and practices govern all employees, volunteers, contractors, vendors, and others working with Friends for Lisa Anderson for Bellingham City Council (the “Campaign”). I hereby agree to abide by the following as a requirement of my involvement with the Campaign, and understand that failure to do so may result in my dismissal:
I understand that the candidate in this campaign, Lisa Anderson, is an equal party to this code of conduct and is equally answerable to these policies. The Campaign expects all employees, volunteers, contractors, vendors, and others to respect the rights and opinions of others, and to refrain from behavior that impairs our mission, purpose, or culture of empowerment in this volunteer environment. The Campaign is deeply committed to maintaining an environment that is free from any kind of harassment, bullying, or discrimination. Conduct that is discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise disempowering will not be tolerated. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to:
● Behavior that causes or threatens to harm any person connected with the Campaign, physically or emotionally, or causes reasonable apprehension of such harm or subjecting another to a substantial risk of such harm;
● Physical or verbal threats against, extreme disrespect to, or intimidation of any person which results in limiting her/his full participation in all aspects of the Campaign;
● Activity that constitutes discrimination because of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or marital or relationship status;
● Engaging in disorderly conduct such as fighting; threatening behavior; sexual, gender-based, or other harassment; public disturbance; or drunk and disorderly conduct; and ● Other behavior inconsistent with the standard of conduct expected of the Campaign or its commitment to providing an environment conducive to progress, empowerment, and political leadership.
The Campaign does not tolerate any form of sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct. Sexual harassment may include sexual advances, sexual solicitation, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct that is of a sexual nature. Sexual misconduct includes behavior that falls short of the legal definition of sexual harassment, but nonetheless is unprofessional, inappropriate, and inconsistent with our cultural values.
The Campaign expects all volunteers and employees and contractors to treat one another and the public equitably, fairly, and with professionalism and respect at all times. The Campaign encourages its employees or contractors to report behavior that is unprofessional, inappropriate, unfair, or inequitable. Retaliation for reporting inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. The Campaign is committed to ensuring that no employee experiences an adverse effect or consequence as the result of speaking up.
The Campaign is committed to creating a safe and violence-free work environment and will not tolerate violence or threats of violence of any kind. The Campaign is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and job applicants will be treated fairly and equitably, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
The Campaign encourages its employees, contractors, volunteers, and others to take action to make our community and workplace better. That means we all need to do our part to create an environment that is more empowering, equitable, and enjoyable for all who wish to be a part of our campaign. This includes reporting misconduct and/or identifying inappropriate behavior as such when we observe it as bystanders.
Any time I feel that the Campaign could be doing better, I understand that the Campaign encourages me to speak up and share my concerns with my supervisor or another trusted employee or volunteer. The Campaign believes that employees, volunteers, and others have an obligation to do their part to create a culture that is supportive and free from intimidation or bias.
If, for whatever reason, I do not wish to talk to my supervisor about a concern, I understand that the following individual, unaffiliated with the Lisa Anderson campaign, has agreed to be the point of contact and is committed to taking my concerns seriously and will work with me to respond to the situation in accordance with my wishes. What I discuss with these individuals will remain confidential until I choose otherwise. While not employed by the campaign, this advisor has also agreed to this code of conduct:
CONTACT NAME: Todd Lagestee
TITLE: Ethics Oversight
Cell: (360) 927-3753 (text ok)
Email: toddlagestee@hotmail.com
Lisa and her campaign staff know that it is impossible to identify every possible scenario in one document. To that end, we understand that we are a community and depend on the inherent belief that we will all act in the best interests of others. We understand that we must rely on each other but that no one’s judgment is perfect. I agree to take action in order to ensure that we maintain a volunteer culture that is fair. I understand that it is acceptable and encouraged to seek assistance and clarification about any questions regarding this code and how it applies. I understand that I should seek clarification from the person I feel most comfortable asking for help from and that if I am asked for help I will assist that person to find resolution through other campaign staff.
RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
Friends for Lisa Anderson for Bellingham City Council is a private entity controlled by Lisa Anderson candidate for Bellingham City Council, Ward 5, in 2023. We adopt this Code of Conduct to govern interpersonal relations during the course of this existence. The candidate, paid staff, contractors, and volunteers will be committed to achieving a safe and respectful workplace that is free of harassment, bullying or intimidation. All campaign members shall have zero-tolerance for behavior that encourages, fosters, or creates an environment that makes those working together feel unsafe and/or uncomfortable.
Behavior that will not be tolerated:
- Behavior or language that discriminates or marginalizes others because of their race, color, religion, nationality, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or relationship status, economic status, military service, disability or age;
- Direct or implied threats of harm, acts of intimidation, emotional or physical abuse to any person connected with the Campaign;
- Sexual harassment.
Procedures when someone believes the Code of Conduct is being/has been violated:
- Promptly, document in writing what happened to you and what you did in response. Even if you think that you have handled the situation and don’t anticipate further problems, document it. Date it, sign, put it in a drawer.
- Notify the candidate of the problem, even if you think you have handled it and don’t anticipate further problems. In other words, get it “on the record.” You do not need to be asking for any action to be taken. If the situation involves the candidate, notify a trusted friend.
If the problem persists:
- Continue to document in writing what happened and what you did in response.
- As soon as you feel you are unable to handle the situation on your own, report the issue to the candidate, or if the candidate is involved, report the issue to the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center 360-676-0122 https://www.whatcomdrc.org/mediation-overview Use the completed worksheet to help you articulate what you want and need to have happen.
- The candidate has final authority and responsibility for resolving the issue between any paid staff or volunteers. The candidate will refer conduct to Whatcom Dispute Resolution if actions were egregious or repeated after initial intervention. If you do not feel the candidate has appropriately resolved the issue, then the candidate has become a party to the issue.