Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct was approved by the General Assembly (GA) on …
This Code of Conduct contains the guidelines drawn up regarding the desired behavior within Pecunia Causa. Within Pecunia Causa, we want every member to feel comfortable and enjoy their time at the association, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, religion, sexual preference or other matters that are part of our unique identity. To ensure that everyone feels at home at our association, this Code of Conduct contains rules that we comply with and promote in practice. This document is binding for both members, contributors and external attendees. The Code of Conduct is actively endorsed at the time of registration. New members will have to agree to this Code of Conduct if they want to become a member or contributor of the association. This Code of Conduct may change over time and adapt as necessary, and this should be done through a vote at a GA.
The Code of Conduct consists of three parts: ”General behaviours”, ”Alcohol and drug usage” and ”Action in case of violations of the Code of Conduct”.
General behaviours
1. All members treat everyone with respect and appreciation, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, religion, sexual preference, appearance or any other distinguishing characteristics.
2. All members are responsible for the accessibility of the association and avoid discriminatory, insulting, humiliating, intimidating, sexist and/or offensive comments or behavior.
3. Sexual misconduct is never tolerated.
4. Verbal and physical violence, including bullying and intimidation, in the association atmosphere will never be tolerated.
5. All members respect each other’s boundaries. There will be no pressure on anyone to do something they are not comfortable with.
6. All members have respect for possessions and property. There is no theft or damage and we work together to ensure that property remains intact.
7. All members respect the applicable rules in public spaces and at external locations as they are enforced and other people who are there are taken into account. Local legislation must always be observed. The Code of Conduct serves as a supplement to legislation.
In addition to general behavior, it is important to state that certain behavior is expected from attendees and the board. To ensure this, there are a number of guidelines below.
Attendees at an activity
1. All members are present at an activity out of their own motivation and ensure that the activity is not disrupted.
2. All members represent the study association in a professional and positive manner and disorder will never be tolerated.
3. All members respect the organizers of an activity.
Board
1. The board is honest in considering sanctions, which are discussed further below.
2. The board must treat misconduct by a fellow board member with integrity and report this at all times. If necessary misconduct can be advised at Radboud University through the head of Student Life and International Mobility (SLIM).
3. The board is aware that it has a possible balance of power and takes this into account.
Alcohol and drug usage
At activities of Pecunia Causa where alcohol is served, it is crucial to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all members and other stakeholders present. This part of the Code of Conduct plays a central role in creating a positive culture where the health, safety and well-being of all members is paramount. In addition, the Code of Conduct promotes an atmosphere of inclusivity and respect for all members. It is important that association activities are accessible to everyone. By encouraging members to respect and not pressure each other’s choices, everyone contributes to an environment where everyone feels welcome and safe.
The use of alcohol and drugs can affect a person’s ability to think clearly and act responsibly. By setting guidelines regarding the use of alcohol and drugs during association activities, the Code of Conduct helps ensure that members do not endanger themselves or others. Finally, the guidelines contribute to maintaining a positive reputation for Pecunia Causa.
1. Alcohol consumption under the age of eighteen and/or providing alcohol to minors during association-related activities is never tolerated.
2. Disorder during association-related activities due to alcohol consumption will never be tolerated.
3. The possession, use or being under the influence of ‘drugs’ (namely List I and II of the Opium Act) during activities related to the association will never be tolerated.
4. For each event where there is no supervision from a third party, one ultimately responsible person must be appointed prior to the event. This person will always be one board member. This person must be completely sober during the activity.
5. For events related to the association within the Netherlands with at least one overnight stay, two ultimately responsible persons must be appointed per day prior to the event. Those persons will always be one board member + one board member or one committee member or one general member. These persons must be completely sober during the day. The persons are not obliged to stay with the group all night, but can be asked to provide assistance at any time if an emergency or stressful situation arises.
6. For events related to the association outside the Netherlands, two ultimately responsible persons must be appointed per day prior to the event. Those persons will always be one board member + one board member or one committee member or one general member. These persons must be completely sober during the day. The persons are not obliged to stay with the group all night, but can be asked to provide assistance at any time if an emergency or stressful situation arises.
Action in case of violation of the Code of Conduct
All members are always responsible for their behavior and its consequences and are therefore accountable for misconduct by all members. The aim of this is to create an open culture of discussion. An open culture of discussion means that there is an atmosphere in which everyone dares to discuss and ask questions and encourage each other to enter into discussions. Violations of the Code of Conduct can always be raised among each other so that awareness is created and compliance is encouraged. Violations can also always be reported to the board. This information is confidential and will be handled with integrity.
If it is observed that a member’s behavior deviates from the Code of Conduct, it is the board’s ultimate responsibility to call the member to account. The board is at all times authorized to expel a member for failure to comply with the Code of Conduct during an activity, after which a corrective conversation will be initiated within 24 hours between at least one board member and the ‘offender’. In this corrective conversation, it is important to make the person concerned aware of which rules of the Code of Conduct have been violated and what consequences this has had for those involved or the organization, in order to have the person in question take responsibility for actions taken and to recognize the possible damage that has been caused.
If the board is of the opinion that a violation is so serious, as reported in, for example, general behavior (points 3 and 4) and/or alcohol and drug use (points 1 to 5), the board can issue warnings on the basis of the Code of Conduct. After the second warning or if the situation so requires, the sanctions below will always be imposed.
– For the duration of one week, or for as long as the board deems this appropriate and proportionate:
a. exclusion from activities; and/or
b. conditional suspension of the member in question.
– For an (in)definite period:
a. suspension of the member in question;
b. expulsion from the membership of the member in question.
– In the event of a criminal offense, the board will report this to the police if the situation requires or gives reason to do so.
In the event of a violation by a board member, more firm action will be taken by means of a sanction instead of an initial warning. After all, a board member has an exemplary role for the association.
Procedure regarding official warnings and sanctions
1. The board can address someone about their (mis)behavior by means of an official warning and draw attention to sanctions that may follow if this behavior continues.
2. The board provides the opportunity to discuss the official warning.
3. An official warning is made in writing.
4. If a party is injured by someone’s behavior, he or she can be informed about the warning issued.
5. The board ensures the opportunity to discuss the sanction.
6. The sanction imposed must be proportionate to the misconduct.
7. If a party is injured by someone’s behavior, it can be informed of the sanctions imposed.
8. The board can decide to withdraw the sanction at any time.
Implementation of sanctions
1. Sanctions are issued by the board.
2. The content and effect of sanctions are laid down in the Articles of Association (Statuten) or the Internal Regulations (Huishoudelijk Reglement).
3. A sanction will be communicated in writing to the party concerned. The board must justify why a sanction has been imposed on the person sanctioned.
Because this Code of Conduct is important to all members, all members always contribute to the maintenance of the Code of Conduct. The board is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Code of Conduct. More sanctions and/or other measures may be taken if the board deems this appropriate in light of the nature and seriousness of the behavior. The board reserves the right at all times to deviate from measures if it deems this appropriate. The board will take reasonable sanctions in accordance with the Code of Conduct.