ADF Code of Conduct

UPDATED FEB 8, 2020

Preamble

As an organization, ADF emphasizes the importance of building relationships. We seek to create relationships with the Kindreds and with each other. We also strive to express the nine virtues of wisdom, piety, vision, courage, integrity, perseverance, hospitality, moderation, and fertility(creativity) in our words and actions. Of these virtues, hospitality and integrity have the most obvious impact on our interpersonal relationships.

Summary

Hospitality is a virtue that includes responsibilities for both the guest and host to be considerate, and to work together to create a safe space for each other. Within ADF, part of that responsibility includes an intolerance for behaviors that show abuse, hate, discrimination, or racism in any form. This means that we are considerate of others and respect their right to define what happens to themselves. This also means that we do not act without consent.

Integrity reflects in how we treat each other. It is expected that ADF Druids keep their word, treat everyone with kindness and respect, do not tell falsehoods, and do not spread gossip. This does not mean that we should not have difficult or corrective conversations, but that those should be done with integrity.

Members and guests of ADF are expected to follow this Code of Conduct in all ADF spaces, both in-person and online, and at any time that they are representing ADF. Failure to follow these regulations will result in corrective action that may include suspension or removal from ADF.

Definitions

  • “Minor” is a person under the age of consent as defined by the laws of the physical location of the event or the person’s location in the case of online events. In the case that the location does not have a defined age of consent, the age of majority will define if someone is a minor.
  • “Adult” is a person at or over the age of majority as defined by the laws of the physical location of the event or the person’s location in the case of online events.
  • “Authorized Adult” is the parent, legal guardian, or adult sibling of the minor; or an adult that has been approved by the parent or legal guardian as defined below.
    • The parent or legal guardian of the children must approve of the adults in writing/email prior to the event, or in-person/text to the event leader or designee.
    • For grove-specific events, written/email permission may be granted ahead of time and for multiple events to the grove organizers or officers for a period of no more than 12 months. Event organizers are expected to verify that a parent gave permission for each adult who is authorized to be alone with the minor child.
    • In the case of emancipated minors, they may designate an authorized adult as if they were their own parent. Minors may be required to show proof of emancipation.
    • You can find an example Child Care Authorization form at Rocket Lawyer but any similar form may be used.
  • “Reasonable Person” is a legal term defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a fictional person with an ordinary degree of reason, prudence, care, foresight, or intelligence whose conduct, conclusion, or expectation in relation to a particular circumstance or fact is used as an objective standard by which to measure or determine something (as the existence of negligence)”
    • In practice this means that: if other similar people (same demographics) in similar situations would agree that something is harmful, then it is.

Behavioral Expectations

ADF Members and guests at ADF events are expected to behave in a way that is acceptable to the organization.

Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to:

  • Verbal, written, electronic, or physical harassment that targets an individual or group on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, spiritual practices, nation or culture of origin, theological belief, physical appearance, relationship status, physical abilities, disability, percieved disability, identity, profession, military status, organizational role, or any other factor.
  • Deliberate assault, intimidation, bullying, defamation, stalking, or any other behavior that would cause a reasonable person distress or alarm.
  • Repeated disruption of rituals, presentations, meetings, festivals, or conversations on-line or in person (including repeated disruptive behavior resulting from intoxication from recreational substances or drugs).
  • Unwelcome, non-emergency, physical contact, sexual advances, or harassment. Only an explicit “yes” means yes. “No”, or silence, means no. Practice consent at all times.
    • Minors are unable to give consent to sexual acts with adults under any circumstances.
    • Individuals who are unconscious, intoxicated or in an altered state are unable to give consent for any form of sexual act or for the consumption of anything that may harm them.
    • Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
    • Non-consensual, non-sexual, physical contact in order to provide medical services or to ensure an individual’s safety during an emergency is permitted but should be minimized.
  • Intentionally creating a situation that would make a reasonable individual feel unsafe
  • Encouragement of any of these listed behaviors.

Required behaviors include:

Conduct specific to minors and adults working with minors at ADF Events.

  • Minors are unable to give consent to sexual acts with adults under any circumstance.
  • There should be no close one-on-one contact between a minor and an unrelated adult who is not an authorized adult.
    • At no point should a single unrelated adult be in an area with a minor that is out-of-sight of other adults without express permission of the minor’s authorized adult.
    • The two-adult rule is not in effect if the adult is the child’s authorized adult
    • The two-adult rule is not in effect in the case of emergencies that are life-threatening or require the minor to be transported to medical care.

What if you see unacceptable behaviors or are a target of these behaviors?

If you notice someone at an ADF function, in an ADF space, or who is representing ADF exhibiting the above behaviors, you are expected to reach out to the people responsible for that space. You may approach the individual to point out the unacceptable behavior in a respectable manner IF you feel safe doing so, but we encourage you to report the behavior to the appropriate responsible parties.

The responsible parties are as follows:

  • Behavior that breaks the law of the location of the event including child abuse or sexual mis-conduct – local law enforcement
  • At festivals or in-person ADF events – follow any guidelines for reporting bad behavior, reach out to the organizers of the event, reach out to the grove leaders if it is a grove event
  • Facebook – Please use the facebook tools to report the post to the Social Media Team
  • Discord – message @Social Media Team with details
  • Emails – Forward the offending email the ADF Listmaster with a report – ADF-Listmaster@adf.org.
  • Zoom – Direct message the organizer or identified moderator with details of the offense
  • For ADF in general or for grievous offenses – email the Members Advocate at members-advocate@adf.org. If appropriate, also contact the local authorities.

Overlap with other ADF events and sub-groups

ADF sub-groups, social spaces, and festivals may have their own Code of Conduct. Any other Code of Conduct is in addition to this ADF Code of Conduct.

Corrective Action

Corrective action may include, but are not limited to, any of the following depending on the intent, severity, and frequency of the action and the location where the action occurred.

  • Social Media Post moderation
  • Written warning or reprimand recorded on your membership file
  • Mandatory training or education at the individual’s expense
  • Removal from leadership including international, regional, or local leadership roles
  • Removal from the Clergy Council and/or Initiate’s Council
  • Removal of Clergy status
  • Expulsion or Suspension from ADF Social Media
  • Expulsion or Suspension from ADF Events
  • Expulsion or Suspension from ADF
  • Reporting the incident to legal authorities

If a member fails to follow any corrective action, they may be expelled from ADF and may be reported to legal authorities depending on the intent, severity, and frequency of the action.

Changes to this document

This document may be changed by a 2/3 vote from the voting members of the Mother Grove.

ADF Members will be given at least two weeks to comment on changes before any vote is started. In emergency situations, the feedback time may be reduced to one week.

All commentary emailed to feedback@adf.org will be considered. Each request for feedback may include additional locations for commentary.

Inspiration:

Heathen Pagan Federation Code of Conduct
Pagan Federation Code of Conduct
Boy Scouts of America