Code of Conduct and Ethics

This Code sets baseline expectations for how we treat one another, how we use power, and how we represent People Pfirst in public. It supports a culture of openness, distributed power, and practical local action. The goal is a strong organization that people want to join and stay in.

Purpose and Scope

This Code applies to all members, Directors, volunteers, and guests at all People Pfirst activities and in Organization-controlled spaces, including meetings, events, email lists, and online channels. It is incorporated by reference into the Bylaws and is enforceable under the discipline and removal provisions of the Bylaws.

This Code does not restrict lawful speech in anyone's personal capacity. It governs conduct in Organization spaces, the use of Organization roles and resources, and public representation of People Pfirst.

Respect, Dignity, and Non-Discrimination

People Pfirst is a broad coalition. We expect members to treat one another with respect and to honor each person's dignity and cultural identity. Harassment, threats, intimidation, and degrading conduct are not acceptable.

People Pfirst does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, religion, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, pregnancy, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other protected or historically targeted status — in meetings, at events, online, or in any People Pfirst-controlled space.

We debate ideas and strategies. We do not demean people. Criticism should focus on actions, decisions, or positions, not personal traits or identity.

Directors, Board members, and Committee Chairs have an affirmative duty to protect the organization's culture. When behavior violates these standards, leaders are expected to intervene early and calmly — redirecting discussion, naming the issue, pausing a meeting, or requesting a rephrase. Leaders should document serious incidents and follow the enforcement process below.

Openness Without Retaliation

Members may raise concerns, disagree with leadership, propose agenda items, request records, participate in votes, and advocate for change without fear of retaliation, exclusion, or social penalty.

Retaliation is prohibited. Retaliation includes threats, intimidation, harassment, exclusion from participation, removal from roles without documented cause, denial of access to opportunities or information that are normally available, misuse of member data, and disparagement intended to punish or silence.

External non-retaliation: when representing People Pfirst, Directors and Committee Chairs must not retaliate against candidates, partner organizations, or their members for good-faith disagreement, declining to seek or accept an endorsement, or participating in other organizations. People Pfirst resources — including endorsements, event access, communications channels, volunteer support, or data — may not be used as leverage to punish or coerce external individuals or groups.

This section does not prevent enforcement of the Bylaws, this Code, or other policies, including removal from a role for documented performance or conduct issues, provided the action is based on facts and follows the required process.

Integrity, Truthfulness, and Role Clarity

People Pfirst relies on trust. Members and leaders should not knowingly make false factual statements in Organization spaces or while representing People Pfirst.

Speak for People Pfirst only when authorized. Otherwise, make it clear you are speaking for yourself. Do not imply that People Pfirst has endorsed a candidate, adopted a position, or entered a partnership unless the Organization has done so through its processes.

Use process rather than backchannel pressure. We do not ambush votes, weaponize private channels, or attempt to bypass the rules for notice, agenda-setting, or voting.

Conflicts of Interest, Campaign Entanglement, and Transparency

People Pfirst includes members who are active in campaigns and allied organizations. That is normal and often valuable. It becomes a problem when it is hidden, distorts decisions, or when organizational resources are used to benefit a private campaign or an outside group.

Disclosure requirement. Directors, Board members, Endorsement Committee members, and Committee Chairs must proactively disclose any relationship that could reasonably be seen as a conflict of interest before participating in related discussions or decisions, including: being a candidate for office; being paid by, contracted with, or holding a leadership role in any campaign; being paid by, contracted with, or holding a leadership role in another PAC or political committee; being a named officer or core team member of an issue-advocacy organization whose priorities overlap with People Pfirst decisions; or any close personal relationship that could reasonably be viewed as affecting impartial judgment on an endorsement, partnership, vendor choice, or resource allocation.

Disclosures must be updated promptly when circumstances change. The Board will evaluate disclosed conflicts and may require appropriate role changes — recusal, stepping off a committee, restricting access to certain data, or pausing participation in endorsement-related work. The goal is to prevent misuse of influence and protect organizational credibility.

No self-dealing. Do not steer Organization money, contracts, paid work, or vendor relationships to yourself, your business, your employer, or close associates without Board review, competitive pricing when feasible, and documented recusal.

No use of non-public information. Do not use non-public Organization information, internal strategy, or member data for personal, commercial, or campaign advantage.

Use of Organization Resources, Data, and Lists

Member and volunteer data is confidential and used only for sanctioned Organization purposes. Member and volunteer contact information may not be used to support internal slates, factional organizing, or personal political projects outside sanctioned Organization activities.

Use role-based access, unique passwords, and multi-factor authentication where available. Do not share accounts. Do not export lists, download voter files, or share access without authorization.

If a person opts in to civic-only communications, do not place them into electoral or PAC communications without a separate opt-in.

Nonpartisan Civic Engagement Rules

When operating under the Civic Engagement Program at civic events, the Nonpartisan Civic Engagement Policy governs. In that role, we provide voter registration and civic education and share factual information about elections and issues without persuasive messaging. We do not do candidate campaigning or fundraising, and we follow the two-hat rule: volunteers staffing civic events in the Civic Engagement role may not engage in PAC electioneering or partisan activity at that event.

Confidentiality of Board Deliberations

Board deliberations are confidential unless the Board designates otherwise. Members of the Board and participants in Board meetings must not publicly share internal deliberations, draft decisions, private communications, or personal information about members learned through Board service.

This confidentiality rule does not restrict publishing final decisions, votes, minutes, and required notices; communicating necessary information to members for upcoming votes; reporting misconduct, legal violations, or safety concerns through the Organization's processes or to appropriate authorities; or sharing one's own viewpoint in general terms without attributing statements to specific individuals. Confidentiality may not be used to conceal misconduct, conflicts of interest, or violations of the Bylaws or this Code.

In meetings and online channels, participate respectfully. Allow others to speak. Do not shout down, repeatedly interrupt, intimidate, doxx, or share private contact information. In public communications tied to People Pfirst, critique decisions and actions, not personal traits.

Enforcement and Corrective Action

The goal of enforcement is to protect members, protect the Organization's credibility, and correct problems early. Responses should be proportional.

Any member may report a concern to the Governance Committee or the Operations Director. For civic-event issues, reports go to the Civic Engagement Lead. Except in urgent safety situations, the subject will receive notice of the concern and an opportunity to respond. The Board of Directors will review the facts and make a determination by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

Corrective actions may include: coaching or retraining; written warning; removal from a volunteer role; removal from a committee role; suspension of participation privileges; restricting access to data or systems; or referral to the Board for removal from office under the Bylaws.

Matters involving misuse of member data, fundraising impropriety, credible harassment allegations, or civic-event rule violations may result in immediate temporary removal of relevant access and roles while the matter is reviewed.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

People Pfirst uses unique passwords, multi-factor authentication where available, and role-based access for critical systems including banking, filing accounts, donor tools, email lists, and voter and contact databases. Access is removed promptly when a role ends. The Finance Director maintains an access inventory and reports quarterly to the Board on the status of access controls.

Review and Updates

This Code is reviewed at least annually. Material changes require Board approval and publication to members at least fourteen (14) days before taking effect, consistent with the Bylaws.