Code Of Conduct

CONSTITUTION

The Ontario Horticultural Association, District (D16) is committed to providing a safe, caring environment by promoting respectful, responsible membership excellence. A positive climate exists when all members feel safe, comfortable, respected, and accepted.

The ‘’Standards of Behaviour’’ outlined below apply to all members including guest speakers and visitors when:

• participating in a meeting;
• traveling on a bus;
• participating in D16 planned activities; or
• engaging in an activity which will have an impact on D16 membership

A) Standards of Behaviour

All Society Members of D16, guest speakers and visitors are expected to:

• respect and comply with federal, provincial, and municipal laws;
• demonstrate honesty and integrity;
• respect the rights of others and treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, regardless of economic
• status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, language group, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity
• or expression, age, or ability;
• show proper care and regard for property and the property of others;
• take appropriate measures to help those in need;
• demonstrate best effort during all D16 activities.

B) Inappropriate Behaviours

In abiding by D16 Standards of Behaviour, all members are expected to refrain from:

• breaking federal, provincial, or municipal laws;
• any behaviour that discriminates or stigmatizes based on economic status, race, colour, national or ethnic
• origin, language group, religion, gender, sexual orientation,
• gender identity or expression, age, or ability, such as racial, homophobic, or transphobic comments;
• any violent or bullying behaviour (physical, verbal, social, electronic) that Intentionally hurts (physically, socially, or emotionally) another person;
• making derogatory or hateful comments toward an individual or group of people;
• threatening an individual or group of people;
• threatening to damage or destroy property;
• injuring an individual, group of people or property;
• using technology to intentionally abuse or bully another person;
• using technology to interfere with the positive climate of D16;
• using language that is violent, profane, or discriminatory;
• wearing clothes that depict violence, profanity, or discrimination;
• conduct unbecoming e.g., fighting, and similar unprofessional activities are strictly prohibited

C) Reactive Strategies

In response to inappropriate behaviour D16 shall utilize a Reactive Management Strategy, to respond to issues as they arise, depending on:

• the level of inappropriate behaviour
• circumstances of the behaviour
• other people involved
• the environment
• precipitating factors
• special circumstances
• verbal reminders
• model expected behaviour
• loss of membership
• police involvement

D) Conflict of Interest

D16 expects that all Society members, guest speakers and guests participate conscientiously, honestly and in accordance with the best interests of D16.

• Members must not use their membership, or the knowledge gained as a result of their membership for private or personal advantage.
• Regardless of the circumstances, if members sense that a course of action they have pursued, or are presently pursuing, or are contemplating pursuing may involve them in a Conflict of Interest with D16, they should immediately communicate all the facts to the D16 director Board.