Preventing and Addressing Harassment within Rotary District 6440

Preventing and Addressing Harassment within Rotary District 6440

Rotary Policy / Guidelines 26. 120, Harassment-free Environment at Meetings, Events, or Activities adopted January 2019 and amended October 2019. - Rotary is committed to maintaining an environment that is free of harassment. - All members and individuals attending or participating in Rotary meetings, events or activities should expect an environment free of harassment and shall help maintain an environment that promotes safety, courtesy, dignity, and respect to all. 26. 120. 1, Training of Adult Harassment Policies adopted October 2019 and amended January 2020. - Incoming and current club presidents, governors, regional leaders, and directors shall be provided annual training on RI’s adult harassment policies and procedures at events including, but not limited to, presidents-elect training seminars (PETS) and International Assemblies Learning Center Course, Preventing and Addressing Harassment

2019 RI created a policy and Learning Center training on Preventing and Addressing Harassment within Rotary History of this process Directed Districts to create a District policy and procedure and develop training May 2020 DG, Suzanne Gibson formed a committee charged to work on this

Betsy Kmiecik, Arlington Heights, Chair Dr. Aimee Harris-Newon, Bloomingdale - Roselle Committee Established Carlton Marcyan, Lake Forest – Lake Bluff Luis Ramirez-Alonso – Arlington Heights Suzanne 'Sam' Martinez – Lake Zurich

District 6440 Policy Rotary District 6440 is committed to: maintaining a respectful environment that is free from any kind of harassment, which includes unwelcome verbal, visual, written or physical contact, advances, or comments that harass, disrupt, or interfere with another's participation in any Rotary activities by creating an intimidating or hostile environment.

What is harassment? • Unwelcome physical contact, comments, advances

Comments based on: • Age • Ethnicity • Race • Color • Sexual orientation • Abilities • Religion • Socioeconomic status • Culture • Gender identity

Can I say anything? How do I know? • List on previous slide – protected classes – from various federal laws • If not a protected class, what can I say? • Examples • Cubs fan – Sox fan, sports banter? Bears/Packers? • Comments, verbal jabs – harassment? • Republicans – Democrats • Comments, verbal jabs – harassment? • Betsy Kmiecik example • Comments, verbal jabs – harassment?

It was just a joke………. . Jokes that are unwelcome, that make fun of a person or group can and do constitute harassment.

Can I compliment a member or guest? Nice haircut! That’s a beautiful sweater! Those pants look great on you! New shoes? Where did you get them? Which of these feel like they might be OK to say? Any seem inappropriate? Remember the Kmiecik Rule of Thumb on safe compliments: “If you would make that comment in front of your mother or spouse/partner, it’s fine. ” • • •

When do comments/contact become harassment? When severe and pervasive

A single act of physical contact or attack can be severe, pervasive Severe and pervasive defined A one-time comment – is not severe or pervasive unless particularly offensive On-going comments – every week, even once a month pervasive

What to do if you feel harassed? • Speak up – to the person who made the comment or contact • If not comfortable, speak up to a member of your club’s board or a Rotarian you feel comfortable talking to

Questions on the subject? Check with your club’s president or a club member you respect. Go Go to rotary 6440. org, search harassment Email If you prefer, email the District Governor and the Harassment Prevention Committee Chair, harassment@rotary 6440. org.

Implementation Communicate the adoption of the policy by the District to all Rotarians Create a page on the district website for Preventing and Addressing Harassment, with links to the policy, flowchart, and training Send a copy of the policy and flowchart via email to all assistant governors Schedule one Zoom session to review the policy At PETS we train the Presidents-Elect and reinforce the obligation to review the policy with their membership in the upcoming Rotary year (via presentation or video). We will track progress on those reviews with each club, and it will be covered in the Official Visits by the District Governor to each club. Breakout session at the spring training conference.