The Code of Conduct policy was approved by a vote by membership at the General Meeting on 9/2/2021, and amended at Chapter Convention on 2/24/2024
Cleveland DSA prohibits the following behavior:
- Harassment (in-person or online) including, but not limited to stalking or ongoing unwanted contact outside DSA events, abuse, yelling, insults, violence or threats thereof, blackmail, deliberate intimidation, non-consensual physical contact, or ongoing unwelcome sexual/romantic attention.
- Harmful or prejudicial comments related to sexual orientation, gender identity, physical appearance, neurodivergence, sobriety, national origin, body size, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion or lack thereof, and the use of slurs or hate speech generally.
- Irreconcilable disagreement with the core principles of the organization as stated in the chapter’s preamble/guiding document/who we are, what we believe.
- Engagement in intentional ongoing disruptive behavior at chapter events or in any chapter spaces, including online ones
- Acting in a concerted manner within DSA under the discipline or coordination of an outside organization.
- Misuse of chapter resources such as misappropriation of funds or materials.
- Knowingly engaging in behaviors that are harmful or disruptive to chapter work, the chapter as a whole, or individual members within the chapter.
- Misrepresenting Cleveland DSA, such as claiming to speak as an official representative of the chapter without permission from the membership, unauthorized use of chapter communications, using chapter membership to campaign for public office without the chapter’s endorsement.
- Disclosing private or sensitive chapter or member information publicly or privately.
Policies related to Code of Conduct
- Any member may make notice of a violation of the code of conduct and bring it up to the combined body of steering and the HGOs. You can email the HGOs hgo@dsacleveland.org or anonymously send a concern at https://forms.gle/H4hPnYktPDBCT92W6
- A code of conduct violation differs from the grievance process such that the conduct under scrutiny need not be based on a protected category. All applicable procedures outlined in the chapter Harassment Grievance Policy will be followed for a Code of Conduct violation.
- If steering determines that a member is acting on behalf of law enforcement or any other group that is working to undermine DSA’s actions, or is otherwise engaging in conduct that is destructive to the chapter, Steering may temporarily suspend that member’s membership in the chapter. Steering should attempt to conduct a thorough investigation before making a final determination – this investigation may last no more than 30 days. The results of the investigation should be made public to the chapter. Expulsion proceedings may be initiated via the appropriate process.