The Mountaineers
At The Mountaineers, we strive to create policies and learning environments that foster experiences where all participants feel belonging. To support this goal, we have a Member Code of Ethics to define expectations for members and leaders for a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful community. We developed these comprehensive policies so that everyone understands our expectations for how we should treat one another and for how we handle complaints of inappropriate behavior.
In alignment with our mission and core values, we hold members accountable for the behavior expectations in our Member Code of Ethics via our Prohibited Behavior Policy. Specifically, we are committed to maintaining an environment within our organization and during our sponsored activities that is free of verbal, physical, and visual forms of harassment. The Prohibited Behavior Investigation Policy defines the process for reporting violations of our Prohibited Behavior Policy, starting with filing a Behavior Complaint.
How To: File a Behavior Complaint
The Mountaineers is above all, a community. We encourage our members to work to resolve issues directly with one another or with support from a friend or mentor.
If there is an issue that needs to be elevated because it is very serious, repeated, or you don’t feel your peers are providing the support needed to resolve it, you should file a Behavior Complaint Form. In the form, it’s helpful when you reference specific violations of our Member Code of Ethics, Prohibited Behavior Policy, or any of our other policies. It’s also helpful to share what you’d like to see as the outcome of the process.
This form is received by the Programs & Operations Director and CEO, who will contact you to discuss next steps towards resolution. We strive for privacy throughout this process, but the nature of some concerns do not always allow for anonymity - something we will discuss with you as we proceed. Our goal is to address concerning behaviors promptly in a way that prevents problems from escalating or occurring again.
How are Behavior Complaints resolved?
Once a behavior complaint has been received, it will follow our Receiving Behavior Complaints Process. As outlined in the board policy, the investigation process will be followed and the recommended resolution will be documented and communicated to the parties involved in the Behavior Complaint. Because we strive for privacy and anonymity, we do not disclose the outcomes of this process beyond the parties involved.
Broadly speaking, outcomes have included things like providing additional support to improve processes within a course or committee, mediated conversations between parties, a temporary or permanent removal of leader status, and, in rare cases, the removal of individuals as Mountaineers members. Individuals involved in a Behavior Complaint Process may appeal a decision if they feel it is warranted.
A Mountaineers where all people feel belonging
We hope these policies will continue to lead to more physically and emotionally safe outcomes for our members. If you haven’t done so recently, we encourage you to re-read our Member Code of Ethics and Prohibited Behavior Policy. Doing so will serve as a good reminder and help us stay accountable to a community of belonging for all Mountaineers.
