COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS
As a community we respect the dignity of all people and recognize that everyone has the right to safety and belonging. All those who interact with our community are expected to participate in creating a welcoming space by acting in alignment with NECC values.
Our Code of Conduct and Model of Conduct are built on the principles of how we work together as a community. They guide us in upholding the mission, vision, and values that define who we are. Click here to learn more about our mission, vision, and values.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Northeast Community Center’s mission is to build and support a thriving and resilient intergenerational community in NE Portland. Guided by our values, the NECC provides physical space and community-responsive programs that promote well-being, foster relationships, empower individuals, and center equity.
Those who act outside NECC’s organizational values may be asked to leave the center to maintain a safe environment for all at the discretion of NECC personnel. Below are examples of conduct outside our values.
- Degrading or defaming words or actions toward any person, including in written form, online, or displayed on clothing or materials.
- Violence, aggression, intimidation, belittling, or bullying. This includes threatening any person with harm: emotionally or physically.
- Slurs, phrases, or expression of attitudes that marginalize or perpetuate stereotypes based on
race, culture, ability, age, sexual orientation, gender, identity, immigration status, nationality, religion, spiritual practice or personal belief. - Jokes, comments or gestures of a sexist or sexualized nature.
- Jokes or pranks that destabilize safety, security or property.
- Physical contact without consent (verbal affirmative permission).
- Defacement, damage, or theft of equipment, program materials, the facility, or others’ personal possessions.
- Use of anything as a weapon to scare or threaten.
- Use of alcohol, cannabis, or any other controlled substance while on NECC premises.
MODEL OF CONDUCT
We encourage all members of the NECC community to: support each other, protect each other, communicate with each other, and learn with and from one another. The following are examples of our model of conduct in action, they include but are not limited to:
SUPPORT – waiting patiently for equipment or support from staff members; cleaning up after ourselves; inviting new people to join drop-in sports; acting with empathy to our houseless community members; uplifting classmates when they are trying something new.
PROTECT – respecting personal boundaries of trans and nonbinary people in locker rooms; seeking consent before you take photos of others; interrupting inappropriate comments about people’s bodies; informing staff of safety issues when you see them; following the direction of staff.
COMMUNICATE – addressing problems directly with your fellow community members when possible; letting your fitness instructor know when you need modifications; communicating to staff what support needs your child might have; listening to others and taking their concerns seriously; saying hello to those you see in the facility.
LEARN – being open to new experiences, ideas and perspectives; listening to others when they express that they’ve been harmed; allowing yourself to fail and try again; reflecting on the feedback we receive from instructors.
EXPECTATIONS
All members of the community are expected to uphold these norms and:
- Speak up when you feel these norms are not being met, whether to the person directly or to a safe support;
- Take seriously if someone feels you are not meeting these norms and make changes in your behavior;
- And participate in conflict resolution when possible.
REPORTING
If you would like to report a breach of our code of conduct, please reach out to the manager for the program you were participating in at the time. You can find contact information for all managers on the staff page of our website.
Incidents requiring escalation will be reported to the Executive Director and, if necessary, to the NECC Board of Directors. Both parties will adhere to a defined restorative justice process to address and resolve the issue effectively.
