Code of Conduct
By accepting a position as a Steering Committee member, Working Group Chair/ Working Group member, representing SUFC in an official capacity, or attending an SUFC related event, you are committing to uphold the values and standards expressed in this
Code of Conduct. Any inability or unwillingness to act in accordance with the group’s values will result in consequences that may jeopardize your ability to participate in the group. Participants will be expected to:
- Promote inclusivity. We welcome and support people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to members of any sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, social and economic class, educational level, color, immigration status, sex, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability. Words or actions that do not respect an individual’s identity will not be tolerated.
- Be considerate. As a coalition, we depend on each other to produce our best work. Your decisions will affect clients and colleagues, and you should take those consequences into account when making decisions and communicating with each other and members of the larger urban forestry community.
- Be respectful. We won’t all agree all the time, but disagreement does not justify disrespectful behavior. We will experience frustration from time to time, but we cannot allow that frustration to result in personal attacks. An environment where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not a productive or creative one, and members who do not abide by these standards will be subject to one warning. Any incidents after the first warning will result in removal.
- Choose your words carefully. Always conduct yourself professionally and with integrity. As a participant, you are promising to treat others with kindness, decency, and with consideration to their personal or professional obligations outside of this group. Insults, exclusionary behavior, and harassment will result in a reevaluation of your suitability as a participant and may result in your removal.
- Make differences into strengths. We can find strength in diversity. Different people have different perspectives on issues, and that can be valuable for solving problems or generating new ideas. Being unable to understand why someone holds a viewpoint doesn’t mean that they’re wrong. Instead, focus on resolving issues and learning from mistakes.
- Unacceptable behaviors include:
- Sending aggressive emails when the recipient may not have had time to respond;
- Attacking an individual during a meeting or via email;
- Acting as an authority figure to other group members – all members are equal;
- Using language to insult or demean another person or the work of another person.
- The Convener is responsible for the management of this code.