The Western Cave Conservancy (WCC) feels strongly about creating a community that fosters participation in a safe and respectful manner and allows all people to feel included. The caving community is friendly and welcoming. And, as in all societies, challenging interactions nonetheless still occur. Therefore, to maintain our community, the WCC has crafted this Code of Conduct “Code” so that we have a mutual understanding about what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable.
Accordingly, all WCC board members, trustees, property managers, and volunteers are expected to show respect, kindness, and courtesy to each other in all interactions, whether at an official WCC event, on-line, or other contexts while representing the WCC.
Please follow the Platinum Rule: Treat others as they want to be treated.
Definitions of Unacceptable Behaviors
Harassment – Intimidating, humiliating, or sabotaging others for categories including, but not limited to, offensive verbal comments or physical actions related to race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, familial status, pregnancy, genetic information, religious creed, national origin or ancestry, medical condition, military/veteran status, or marital status. This includes racist, sexist, or homo/transphobic statements.
Sexual Harassment – A subset of harassment that specifically includes unwanted behavior or words that are sexual in nature, including but not limited to, displaying sexual images in public spaces, stalking, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual or persistent romantic attention.
Threats – Statements or actions that imply, explicitly or implicitly, intent to harm.
Harmful Acts – Deliberate action intended to cause harm.
Blatant “isms” – Statements that are explicitly antagonistic to a person’s identity. This can include, but is not limited to, statements regarding any of the categories above.
Reporting
If you experience or witness any behavior that appears to be a violation of this Code of Conduct, please report to one, or all, of the WCC board members below.
President: Steven Johnson mailto:president@westerncaves.org
Vice-President: Rafael Langer-Osuna mailto:vicepresident@westerncaves.org
Secretary: Marianne Russo mailto:secretary@westerncaves.org
Treasurer: Mike Spiess mailto:treasurer@westerncaves.org
Board at large: mail@westerncaves.org
Attempts will be made to keep as much information as possible anonymous, however, to facilitate investigation, some information may need to be shared. Following reporting, the board member will contact the reporting party to gain additional information and inquire wishes to proceed. If it is found to be warranted, the board will determine next steps. This may include, but is not limited to, verbal warnings or restrictions on participation including leadership privileges.
Please keep in mind that the WCC does not have jurisdiction over grotto trips, participants on WCC owned properties, or the public in general. However, the board will be happy to facilitate passing information on to the appropriate grotto or the National Speleological Society’s reporting systems, but will do so only with permission except in extreme cases.
A report can be directly submitted to the NSS at: https://caves.org/code-of-conduct-form
Retaliation against a reporter or those investigating a report will not be tolerated. This includes attempts to uncover or share identities, public or private harassment, and discriminatory treatment.
For further clarifications or concerns, please contact the WCC Board of Directors. This policy is new and may be amended as determined by the board.