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HARASSMENT/HOSTILITY/BULLYING
GSMISTS is committed to an environment and climate in which relationships are characterized
by dignity, respect, courtesy, and equitable treatment. It is the policy of GSMISTS to provide
all volunteers, staff, and members (girl and adult) with an environment free from all forms
of unlawful or unwelcomed harassment, hostility, and bullying; and therefore, it will not be
tolerated.
Harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, religion, lineage or citizenship,
national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial
status, age, socioeconomic background, source of income, disability, genetic information,
predisposing genetic characteristics, carrier status, domestic violence victim status, or any other
characteristic protected by law will not be tolerated, and is grounds for release.
This policy includes physical violence as well as intimidation, stalking, coercion, display of
weapons, threats, and talking or joking about harassment or hostility, whether in person or
through some other means of communications such as writing, telephone, voice mail, e-mail, or
any form of social media.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, “bullying” is dened as
aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength,
typically repeated over time.
Cyberbullying is bullying that occurs online. Whether cyberbullying occurs in e-mail, a text
message, an online game, or on a social networking site, it is prohibited. This includes rumors
or images posted online where other people may see them. GSMISTS will cooperate with police,
schools, and other organizations that share our values who are attempting to enforce laws,
regulations, and rules regarding cyberbullying regardless of the potential punishment.
Anyone, regardless of volunteer or member status, who violates this policy and/or refuses
to abide by this policy, is prohibited from holding volunteer positions with GSMISTS and
from attending Girl Scout activities, events, and meetings. Any volunteer who engages in or
encourages bullying is subject to release from their volunteer position.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
GSMISTS prohibits sexual harassment and retaliation against its applicants, interns,
contractors, volunteers, or employees by another individual. Sexual harassment is a form of sex
discrimination and is unlawful under federal, Michigan State, and local law. Sexual harassment
includes unwelcome conduct which is either of a sexual nature or which is directed at an
individual because of that individuals’ sex or gender, gender identity or gender expression
(including, but not limited to, transgender status), and/or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment
can be verbal, visual, or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion towards
an individual based on sex or gender, gender identity or gender expression, and/or sexual
orientation. This includes but is not limited to sexual advances or irtations, requests for sexual
favors, obscene or vulgar comments or gestures, sexual jokes or comments about a person’s
body, and propositions or suggestive or insulting comments of a sexual nature. It is unlawful
and against this policy for males to sexually harass females or other males, and for females to
sexually harass males or other females.