As a member or participant of Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA!, you are expected to maintain ethical and professional conduct while on our premises, during volunteer shifts or activities, and/or when representing our organization in the community.
This Community Code of Conduct aims to clearly communicate the required standards of behavior while volunteering with Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA!. We expect participants to act respectfully, honestly, and ethically while fulfilling their responsibilities, and in their interactions with our staff, fellow volunteers, and community members.
Introduction
Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) is a grassroots union of transit riders, workers and neighbors. Together we organize for an expanded, affordable and accessible public transit system that meets all needs, with no communities left behind.
Pittsburghers for Public Transit intends to provide a safe, creative, and mutually supportive environment for all community members, and in turn, expects members to recognize and be accountable for their actions. PPT expects members to treat others, including people not connected to PPT, with courtesy and respect whenever performing work or otherwise representing PPT. PPT trusts that members will contribute to teamwork and find value in what each of their community members bring to PPT. Team members have the responsibility to colleagues to conduct themselves according to high standards of ethics and performance.
Obligations and Expectations
Members and participants are expected to follow the ethical standards outlined in this code of conduct. Moreover, volunteers are expected to uphold Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA! mission while representing the organization in public.
The roles that members and participants play in this organization are extensive. As a few examples, our members participate and lead in committees, speak at public events, attend monthly meetings, provide transportation to other volunteers, tabling and canvassing fellow transit riders, and more. This Code of Conduct is applicable to all these circumstances in which PPT/Transit for All PA is hosting or facilitating, and many others not described here.
Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA members and participants are held accountable to these standards because of the extensive role that members play in developing and ratifying the annual organizational and campaign agenda as well as running for and electing the PPT Board of Directors. This Code of Conduct is a mechanism to ensure that these privileges and responsibilities are honored, and for our community to continue to be a safe and welcoming space for all.
Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Harassment, and Bullying
Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA has a zero-tolerance policy for racism, discrimination, sexual harassment, ableism, xenophobia, queerphobia, and bullying of any kind.
These behaviors include but are not limited to: offensive physical actions such as lewd gestures; statements meant to humiliate a person publicly or individually; the use of racial slurs or “jokes”; sexually explicit communication that is either written or spoken; any unwelcome physical contact with other volunteers, staff, or clients; any unwanted sexual attention; harassment due to a person’s race, color, gender, identity, religion, language, medical condition, age, culture, national origin, gender expression, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.
If you witness these behaviors, you are expected to notify a PPT staff member immediately. If you engage in any of these behaviors, you will be subject to the Code of Conduct Escalation Policy.
Attendance and Punctuality
Pittsburgher for Public Transit/Transit for All PA! depends on you to arrive on time for volunteer events- tardiness can cause a significant disruption to the work and is unfair to other participants. We ask that if you know you will be late or absent, please notify the appropriate PPT staff member as soon as possible. Repeated tardiness or absences may result in action as per the Escalation Policy.
Confidentiality
During the course of their duties, volunteers will likely have access to, deal with, or become aware of confidential information, circumstances, and data surrounding those we serve. This information must be kept strictly confidential. Any breach of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action up to and including the termination of volunteer services.
Dress Code
It is important that participants and members dress appropriately for their role so that they can fulfill their volunteer duty safely and comfortably.
When a PPT/T4APA participant or member has a meeting with a partner, especially a person or group in a position of leadership, such as a board member, elected official, etc. the participant should dress in business casual or business attire as appropriate. When unsure, you should err on the side of caution and choose business attire. If you have questions about what is considered business attire, business casual, or casual attire they should direct their questions to a PPT/T4AllPA staff member.
We ask that you refrain from wearing clothing that displays obscene language or offensive material while representing our organization.
Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use
Participant and member activities must be conducted without the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. These substances are prohibited from Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA! premises.
If alcohol is served during a member or community event, participants are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner.
Smoking and vaping is prohibited inside our buildings and vehicles. Smoke and vape products may only be consumed in designated smoking areas and disposed of responsibly.
Breaches of the Volunteer Code of Conduct
By failing to uphold the ethical considerations in this document, members and volunteers should expect disciplinary action per the PPT Escalation Policy. It is at Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA! discretion whether to issue a warning or to terminate services as a volunteer. Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA! has the right to release or terminate volunteers at its discretion. Pittsburghers for Public Transit/Transit for All PA! is not responsible for any monetary losses accrued as a result of breaches of conduct.
Escalation Policy
In most cases, PPT will attempt to resolve issues with constructive feedback, goal-setting and corrective action rather than removing members. Performance problems may be addressed through formal or informal discussions, and written or oral communication. In cases of member actions that violate the PPT of code of conduct, PPT will evaluate each case based on its severity and impact on PPT’s operations, mission, and community, and will use the following approach:
- Step 1: Structured discussion about the incident or behavior, its impact on other members or staff, and how the incident or behavior can be addressed, along with a review of the Code of Conduct. This discussion will be documented in the members’ EveryAction.
- Step 2: This step requires an incident report to be written. Formal discussion that refers to previous misconduct, if any, along with a review of the incident report, the Code of Conduct, and the Escalation Policy. There will be further discussion about how this incident or behavior will be remedied and avoided in the future. This incident report will be documented in EveryAction.
- Step 3: This step requires a written communication to the member, that references previous behavior and the severity of the misconduct with regards to the Code of Conduct. This step allows for prohibition from aspects of the PPT and T4APA community, up to and including removal from membership and blocking from participation. In this step, it should be made clear the timeline for the consequence.
There are major infractions that do not follow the progressive steps on the code of conduct, and warrant immediate progression to Step 2 or Step 3 of the Code of Conduct Escalation Policy, with PPT staff and Board discretion. We define major infractions as:
- Sexual harassment,
- Bodily harm or threat of harm,
- Theft
- Fraud
- Representing PPT/T4APA in a way that would actively harm our movement,
- Unauthorized communication on behalf of PPT/T4APA,
- Unauthorized use or sharing data outside of PPT/T4APA campaign work
Agreement Through Participation
By participating in any PPT/T4APA organizing (whether through events, meetings, online form submissions or other means), participants agree to uphold this Code of Conduct and follow the Escalation Policy outlined above.
All participants under the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by a guardian or have their guardian’s written permission. The guardian agrees to ensure that the participant under the age of 18 abides by this Code of Conduct.