Code of Ethics

Section 1. Applicable Parties.

All elected and appointed officials of Manhattan Young Democrats (MYD Officers), and Manhattan Young Democrats (MYD) members are, at all times, representatives of the organization and must conduct themselves in such a manner to reflect positively on the organization. A person is considered an MYD member if they’ve paid dues for the current year. Failure to adhere to this code may result in removal from their elected or appointed post, or membership being revoked.

Non-member participants (event-goers) and MYD members will treat each other respectfully and are expected to encourage a welcoming, open space for all individuals. Non-member participants are MYD event-attendees who have not paid dues for the current year. Failure to respectfully interact with other event-goers and MYD members may result in event expulsion, long-term event bans, and/or revocation of MYD membership status.

Section 2. Non-Discrimination.

The Manhattan Young Democrats (MYD) is dedicated to equality for all. Under no circumstances are racism, misogyny, sexism, ableism , or discrimination of any kind to be tolerated by or among MYD Officials, MYD members, and event-goers. MYD Officials and members are to be constant in their conduct to promote equality among race, gender, and sexuality. MYD, shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, national origin, citizenship status, economic status, prior incarceration, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, or sexual orientation.

Section 3. Honesty.

The Manhattan Young Democrats can only function where there is truthfulness among members. MYD Officials will maintain standards of full disclosure and honesty among each other as relates to the issues and business of MYD. 

Section 4. Age-Appropriate Actions.

MYD does not condone underage drinking or any age-inappropriate actions. When organizing events, all elected and appointed MYD board members must be mindful of participants’ ages and take steps to adhere to applicable local laws.

Section 5. Respect.

MYD does not tolerate any harassment or any other unwanted interactions by or to event-goers at an MYD-hosted event. MYD Officers, MYD members, and event-goers will respect all spaces where events are hosted, and will ensure cleanliness, timeliness, and clear communication are all ensured when working with both venues and the organizations that own them.

Section 6. Remedy/Recommendations

Failure to adhere to this code may result in accountability measures including but not limited to removal from any or all events, required attendance at an unconscious bias training or a similar event, temporary or permanent membership revocation, or any other accountability measure as prescribed by the MYD Board.

When necessary, MYD officers may seek to temporarily remedy a situation by removing a person from an event. Such temporary remedies must be followed with a formal investigation process.

Section 7. Submitting a complaint

If an applicable party or non-member attending an MYD event or meeting believes the code was violated, they may submit a complaint for review and investigation by the MYD Board. 

Such complaint should be filed as soon as possible. The complaint must include: 

  • The name of the person submitting the complaint and their contact information, including email and phone number;
  • The date or in the event a specific date cannot be determined, the date range, that the alleged incident(s) took place;
  • The names of parties involved in the alleged incident, including the name of the person who allegedly violated the code, the person or people harmed, and potential witnesses;
  • Details of the alleged incident in violation of the code.

The person filing the complaint may also include any supporting documentation, and/or reconciliation and accountability measures sought by the person filing the complaint.

The complaint should be submitted via email to: officers@gomyd.com. If submitting the complaint electronically is a barrier for a person filing the complaint, they may request to speak with an MYD Board member, who will write up the complaint on behalf of the person filing the complaint.

The MYD Board will designate a Board Member to lead the investigation. If the complaint is made against a sitting Board member, that member must recuse themselves from the investigative process. If an MYD Board Member has a conflict of interest, they must recuse themselves. A conflict of interest includes but is not limited to having a personal relationship with either party to the complaint and working for or with either party to the complaint.

Section 8. Responding to a complaint

Within 30 days of receiving a submitted complaint, the MYD Board shall notify the alleged-harmer  of the alleged misconduct. They shall have 30 days to respond, if they so choose, to the complaint. The response should be submitted via email to officers@gomyd.com. If submitting the complaint electronically is a barrier for a person filing the complaint, they may request to speak with the MYD Board member tasked with leading the investigation, who will write up the complaint on behalf of the person filing the complaint.

Section 9. Investigation

Upon receipt of the response, or 30 days after the alleged-harmer was notified of their alleged misconduct, the MYD Board shall conduct a thorough investigation of the complaint.

The investigation must include, but may not be limited to:

  • Follow-up interviews with the person filing the complaint and alleged-harmer in order to go over the alleged violation and ask any follow-up questions;
  • Interviews with any potential witnesses;
  • Acquiring and reviewing supporting documentation

The MYD Board must keep contemporaneous notes of the investigation. The investigation must not take more than 60 days. Should the Board need additional time, they must notify the person filing the complaint and alleged-harmer one-week prior to the initial 60 day investigative deadline. Such an extension must not go beyond 30 days.

Once the investigation is complete, the MYD Board member tasked with leading the investigation must write up its findings and proposed recommendations within 20 days. The Board must also notify the person filing the complaint and alleged-harmer that the investigation is complete and that a report has been drafted.

At the next board meeting immediately following the submission of the report, the lead Board Member will present its findings and recommendations to the Board, and answer any questions. 

Section 10. Adoption of recommendations

Recommendations by the lead Board member shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the MYD Board. In consultation with the MYD Board, and in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, recommendations may be amended. 

Within 3 days of the adoption of the recommendations, the lead Board member will notify the person filing the complaint and alleged-harmer via email with a copy of the report.

Documentation of the investigation and adopted recommendations must be kept on file with the current and future MYD Board. 

Section 11. Confidentiality 

Complaints and deliberations shall be confidential until a decision is reached. Violation of confidentiality shall be considered a violation of this Code of Ethics and may result in removal from the MYD Board, and/or general membership.