SAFETY & WELL-BEING

SMSH Alumni Association (SMSHAA) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all who participate, volunteer, and educate in our organization. We take everyone's safety and well-being very seriously. Our administration consistently reviews and revises policies and procedures to prioritize our members' and volunteers' safety. We serve many people of various ages, identities, and backgrounds, and we strive to be very clear about what is, and is not, acceptable behavior.
We welcome feedback about our policies and procedures. Please feel free to contact us with any concerns or comments you may have.

Inclusivity Policy

SMSHAA provides equal opportunities to all volunteers, registrants, participants, and members without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

We expressly prohibit any form of unlawful discrimination in regards to race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. All volunteers, registrants, participants, and members are responsible for assuring that SMSHAA is free from discrimination of any kind. Improper interference with the ability of anyone associated with SMSHAA (including but not limited to Board of Directors, SMSHAA members, committee chairs and committee participants) to perform their expected roles and duties in a healthy and safe environment will not be tolerated. 

Socialization Policy

SMSHAA holds its management and members to the highest degree of ethical and professional behavior. Our goal is to operate the organization in a respectful manner that honors integrity, edification, and compassion towards others. Events, such as class reunions and networking, are meant to encourage healthy socialization. We encourage people to:

• communicate cordially and respectfully towards each other,
• speak using a socially acceptable volume considering the environmental sounds
• first seek to understand the other before expecting to be understood
• self-regulate their emotions so as to keep conversations civil and without escalating to violence

We strive to avoid any kind of conflicts of interest, misunderstandings, complaints of favoritism, morale problems, questionable behavior, and sexual misconduct. Regarding interactions with SMSH students, all SMSHAA management and members are prohibited from unethical or inappropriate socialization, including but not limited to, dating, pursuing a date, and having or pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship. 

Sexual misconduct is defined as ANY unwelcome sexual advance, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. These include but are not limited to:

• unwelcome sexual (or sexual in nature) advances
• requests for sexual favors
• unwanted, abusive, threatening, or obscene exchanges
• making graphic verbal commentaries about an individual
• making sexually derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, and jokes
• using sexually derogatory words to describe an individual

These unacceptable exchanges are not limited to face to face physical contact; they can include verbal exchanges and exchanges through online social media including but not limited to text messages or images. 

Healthy Interaction Policy

SMSHAA expects it members and participants to have healthy interactions demonstrating respect for themselves and others while contributing to the well-being of the organization. Bullying, cyberbullying, hazing, and any disrespectful behaviors are not condoned and are prohibited. Engaging in any of these activities will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the organization and event(s).

Bullying/Cyberbullying is defined as any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward any member that has the effect of any of the following:

• Placing any member in reasonable fear of harm to their person or property;
• Causing a substantially detrimental effect on any member’s physical or mental health;
• Substantial interfering with members’ performance of their role; or
• Substantially interfering with any member’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges .

Bullying/Cyberbullying may include a pattern of any one or more of the following:

• Gestures aimed at other individuals that may be considered rude, offensive or obscene.
• Written, electronic, or verbal communications, including but not limited to calling names, threatening harm, taunting, malicious teasing, using angry and vulgar language, pretending to be someone else and sending or posting material to get that person in trouble, or spreading untrue rumors. Electronic communication includes but is not limited to a communication or image transmitted by email, instant message, text message, blog, or social networking website through the use of a telephone, mobile phone, computer, or other electronic device.
• Physical acts, including but not limited to hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, choking, damaging personal property, or unauthorized use of personal property.
• Purposefully shunning anyone. 

Hazing is defined as engaging in any humiliating or dangerous activity towards another person as a prerequisite of belonging in a group, regardless of their willingness to participate. Hazing may include, but is not limited to, tattooing, piercing, head-shaving, branding, sleep deprivation, physical punishment (paddling or hitting), kidnapping, consuming unreasonable/unacceptable foods or beverages, being deprived of personal hygiene and/or inappropriate sexual behavior.

We obey all applicable laws, rules, and ordinances combined with common sense to assure that everyone has a healthy, safe, and positive experience in all of our meetings and events.