WOMEN TO WOMEN NETWORK | CODE OF CONDUCT + ETHICS

We believe in creating and maintaining a welcoming, collaborative environment for all members, future members, and guests, as this is vital to the success and growth of a new Region and for the Women to Women Network (WtoWN) overall.

The Women to Women Network is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment, regardless of an individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic prohibited by law. As such, the WtoWN will not tolerate discriminatory, harassing or otherwise unacceptable behavior at any of its activities, events or meetings. It adopts the following code of conduct and expects everyone in the workplace and those who participate in any of its activities, events, or meetings to abide by it.

DEFINITIONS

DISCRIMINATION

It is discrimination to make any decision or judgment based on another person’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

HARASSMENT

Harassment consists of unwelcome verbal, visual or physical conduct that is based on another person’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law. It may include but is not limited to, actions such as the use of epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, jokes, or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to sex, race, age, disability, or other protected categories. Harassment also may include written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group based on protected characteristics, whether that material is sent by email, or placed on walls, bulletin boards, computer screens or other devices, or while representing WtoWN at an event, activity, or program.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment can involve unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can involve conduct by a person of either gender toward a person of the same or opposite gender.

EXPECTATIONS

The Women to Women Network expects all members, Directors on the Leadership Team, and all participants in WtoWN activities, events or meetings to conform to the following code of conduct:

  • Respect others and their views

  • Recognize and value individual differences

  • Be sure you do not engage in aggressive, bullying, or intimidating behavior

  • Do not engage in discriminatory or harassing behavior

SECTION ONE: REPRESENTING WtoWN

As a Member, you are acting as a representative of WtoWN. As such, we expect members and leaders to adhere to the following guidelines:

1.1 MAINTAINING MISSION + VALUES

Each Director of the Leadership Team will be able to speak to the mission, values, and goals of the Women to Women Network when at WtoWN events, conferences, programming, and roundtable discussions and/or acting as a representative of WtoWN at other local events, panels, and conferences. Additionally, leaders and members understand that the sole purpose of WtoWN is not centered in lead generation, “transactional” networking, or recruitment, and said behaviors are not acceptable at any WtoWN events.

1.2 ONLINE PRESENCE

Directors’ and members’ public social and online presence is an extension of their representation of the Women to Women Network. This includes:

  • Personal or professional websites

  • Public social media accounts including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Pinterest, and TikTok

  • Public comments on websites, blogs, and social media accounts

Additionally, any abusive interactions or language used in private messages with others goes against our mission and values.

Women to Women Network does not tolerate any discriminatory or abusive language toward any race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, or disability. This can include:

  • Sharing social content

  • Commenting on social posts, websites, or blogs

  • Posting on public or private social accounts

  • Posting on personal or professional websites

1.3 PARTICIPATION OR MEMBERSHIP IN OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS

We understand that members have unique interests and hobbies and will likely be part of groups, organizations, or events outside the Women to Women Network. However, WtoWN does not tolerate leaders or members participating in groups, organizations, or activities that engage in abusive, discriminatory, or harassing behaviors. Examples include:

  • Protest against or harassment of any group outlined as defined under “DISCRIMINATION”

  • Participation in any group that advocates discrimination or engages in targeted harassment of any groups outlined above.

1.4 ROLES IN OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS

Any member of the WtoWN Leadership Team will not serve in a leadership capacity with another organization that is similar to or directly competes with WtoWN.

1.5 SPONSOR RELATIONSHIPS + SUPPORT

As a Region grows, we rely heavily on Regional Directors’ and members’ connections to establish relationships with potential sponsors of WtoWN events, programs, etc. The Women to Women Network National Leadership reserves the right to properly research any and all potential sponsors and determine if they align with our mission and values. Once a sponsorship agreement is established, that relationship is under the Women to Women Network - any changes, adjustments, or terminations of said sponsorship agreements will remain between said Sponsor and the Executive Team of Women to Women Network. Additionally, any support or materials provided to WtoWN events, programs, etc. are the property of WtoWN. This includes:

  • Funding as event sponsors

  • Funding as program sponsors

  • Funding as Regional, Chapter, or National sponsors

  • Materials, goods, products, or services provided by the sponsor as in-kind donations

1.6 PROMOTING WOMEN TO WOMEN NETWORK

Women to Women Network Directors are held to a high expectation of professional behavior when interacting with members and non-members and when representing the WtoWN in their communities. These interactions are not only a reflection of the Women to Women Network but also a reflection on the director as a business professional. When acting in an official capacity for the WtoWN, directors shall represent the Women to Women Network first and their company second and be aware of networking to build relationships vs. selling.

Women to Women Network recognizes and appreciates that officers and directors may participate in other community and business-based organizations. While representing the Women to Women Network, directors should only promote the Women to Women Network and shall not promote any competing organizations or their programs and events.

SECTION TWO: WORK PRODUCED FOR WOMEN TO WOMEN NETWORK

As a Member, there may come a time when you develop, create, or curate content, materials, or resources to support your Region, Chapters, and WtoWN overall. As such, all work produced for WtoWN is the intellectual property of the Women to Women Network and will adhere to a specific set of standards.

SECTION 2.1 MAINTAINING BRAND STANDARDS

All content, materials, or resources developed on behalf or for the promotion of the Women to Women Network will follow our brand standards as outlined in our Brand Guidelines.

LOGO

All content, materials, or resources developed on behalf of or representing the Women to Women Network will maintain the integrity of the logo.

COLOR PALETTE

All content, materials, or resources developed on behalf of or representing the Women to Women Network will utilize the approved color palate.

FONTS

All content, materials, or resources developed on behalf of or representing the Women to Women Network will utilize the approved fonts.

TAGLINE

ach Region will work with the CCBO to develop a tailored tagline that can be utilized on materials and social content shared by Directors. All materials and content developed will also use the main tagline for the Women to Women Network:

CONNECT, COLLABORATE, GROW

CONNECT | COLLABORATE | GROW

SECTION 2.2 USE OF WOMEN TO WOMEN NETWORK NAME + LOGO

The Women to Women Network name, likeness, and logo are the intellectual property of the Women to Women Network and cannot be used, copied, or leveraged on any content, materials, or information unless expressly approved in writing by the Executive Team.

Examples of unapproved use of the WtoWN name, likeness, and/or logo include:

  • Social media posts from a member’s company promoting or sponsoring a product, service, etc.

  • Printed materials not developed by a member of the WtoWN Leadership Team (National or Regional) and not for the use at a WtoWN event or program

  • As a sponsor or endorsement of a company, product, or service not affiliated with WtoWN

  • On members or Leadership personal or professional websites

  • In signature lines on emails not associated with WtoWN (any email without wtownetwork.com)

  • On promotional items (i.e. clothing, hats, pens, and other giveaway items) not affiliated with WtoWN, a WtoWN event or program

SECTION THREE: REPORTS OF MISCONDUCT

The Regional Leadership Team is the ultimate example of the mission and values for members, guests, and future members and will follow the code of conduct and ethics outlined in this document. Additionally, they are mandated reporters of any members or guests engaging in behavior that goes against the Women to Women Network Code of Conduct.

3.1 UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

The Women to Women Network values open and vigorous discussion of the issues facing women in their personal or professional development. This code of conduct is not intended to restrict free and open debate but rather to prevent unacceptable behavior, as detailed in the definitions of “DISCRIMINATION” and “HARASSMENT,” and outlined in sections 1.2 and 1.3. Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Discriminatory or harassing speech or actions, including cyberbullying or cyber harassment by any participant at a WtoWN activity, event, or meeting, including all related activities or one-on-one communications surrounding the WtoWN activity, event or meeting

  • Harmful or offensive verbal or written comments or visual images related to race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law

  • Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images between WtoWN members, sponsors, speakers, or guests

  • Bullying or stalking

  • Harassing photography or recording

  • Uninvited sexual attention or contact

  • Physical assault (including uninvited touching or groping)

  • Real or implied threat of physical harm

3.2 REPORTS OF UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

If you are subject to what you believe is unacceptable behavior as outlined above or witness such behavior, please inform a member of your Regional Leadership Team or the Executive Team immediately. Women to Women Network takes these complaints seriously and may, at its discretion, take action that it deems appropriate upon assessing the situation. If needed, the Executive Team will conduct an internal investigation of the reported behavior and determine if the offender engaged in any form of unacceptable behavior as outlined above. If they are found to have engaged in any such behavior, members will be removed from any Leadership or Committee position, if applicable, and their membership will be terminated immediately.

Any complaint brought to the attention of the Executive Team or Regional Leadership Team will be treated confidentially to the extent possible to assess the situation properly. Women to Women Network will take all appropriate steps to ensure that the complainant is no longer subject to the unacceptable behavior.

Women to Women Network will not tolerate retaliation against any individual who complains of unacceptable behavior under this code of conduct. It will take every step necessary and appropriate to ensure that retaliation does not occur, and if it believes that retaliation has occurred, Women to Women Network will take immediate action to help stop the retaliation.

3.3 BEHAVIOR IN NEED OF COACHING OR REDIRECTION

As members, you are acting on behalf of Women to Women Network as a representative of our company, mission, and values when present at WtoWN events or promoting Women to Women Network. As such, one of our core values is leading with grace and finding opportunities for members to learn, grow, and evolve. Portions of this code of conduct are intended to provide opportunities for additional coaching or potential redirection, as outlined in sections 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, and all of section two.

3.4 REPORTS OF BEHAVIOR IN NEED OF COACHING OR REDIRECTION

If a Member or a leader is found to violate sections 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, or any portion of section 2, members of the Executive Team will engage with that Director in a one-on-one conversation with the Director to provide any additional information or coaching, as needed, and Regional Directors will engage members in one-on-one conversations to provide the same information and/or coaching.

If said Director or Member continues to be in violation of any of the above-stated sections in this code of conduct, the Executive Team may take action that can include suspension from participation in the Regional Leadership Team or ask for their resignation from the Regional Leadership Team, and potentially have their membership terminated, depending on the circumstances.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CODE OF CONDUCT

By filling out the form below, you are stating you have read and fully understand the Women to Women Network Code of Conduct and agree to follow all sections outlined.