1. Our Commitment
Waterway Cleanups maintains a zero-tolerance standard for harassment, abuse, and
exploitation of any kind. Protecting people always comes before protecting reputations,
relationships, or convenience. No person’s tenure, seniority, popularity, donations, or
value to the organization exempts them from this policy.
2. Who and Where This Applies
This policy applies to all of the conduct below whenever it has a connection to the
organization or its people, including:
- At any cleanup, event, meeting, training, or organization-sponsored activity.
- During travel, carpools, lodging, or social gatherings connected to our activities.
- Online and over any communication channel — text, email, social media, messaging apps, or phone.
- Off-site and outside of events. Conduct that occurs away from our activities is still
covered when it involves another volunteer, participant, or member of our community, or
when it creates a safety concern for our people. Being “off the clock” is not a defense.
3. Expected Standard of Conduct
Everyone associated with Waterway Cleanups is expected to:
- Treat all people with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
- Maintain appropriate, professional boundaries with other volunteers and participants.
- Follow the instructions of event leads and staff regarding safety.
- Immediately report conduct that violates this policy.
4. Prohibited Conduct (Zero Tolerance)
The following conduct is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate, permanent
removal from the organization. This list is illustrative, not exhaustive:
- Sexual harassment: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual acts, sexual
comments, or any conduct of a sexual nature directed at another person.
- Sexual misconduct, coercion, or assault of any kind.
- Grooming: any pattern of building trust or emotional dependency with the intent to
manipulate, exploit, or sexually abuse a person, regardless of that person’s age.
- Exploitation of a power, age, or trust imbalance to pursue a personal, romantic, or
sexual relationship with a volunteer or participant.
- Harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
- Bullying, intimidation, threats, stalking, or unwanted physical contact.
- Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or participates in a review.
- Endangering minors in any way. Minors must never be left in an isolated, one-on-one
situation with an unrelated adult volunteer.
5. Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Participants
- A two-adult rule applies: no volunteer may be alone, one-on-one and out of sight of
others, with a minor or vulnerable participant at any organization activity.
- Any concern involving a minor will be reported to the appropriate authorities as
required by law, without delay.
6. How to Report
If you experience or witness a violation, report it as soon as possible. You do not need
proof, and you will never be penalized for making a good-faith report.
- Report to: the President or any Board member.
- Email: info@waterwaycleanups.org
- Reports may be made verbally or in writing. We will document the report and keep it as
confidential as reasonably possible, sharing only with those who need to know to respond.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first.
7. Our Response — No Exceptions
When a credible report of serious misconduct is received, Waterway Cleanups will:
- Act immediately. The individual will be placed on an immediate, indefinite suspension
from all activities, events, premises, and contact with members while the matter is
reviewed. This is a protective step, not a finding of guilt.
- Prioritize the reporter’s safety. We will support the person who came forward, offer
resources, and never require them to interact with the person they reported.
- Not “investigate” as a court would. We are not law enforcement. We do not require a
police report, charge, or conviction to act. A credible safety concern is enough.
- Support law enforcement involvement where the reporter wishes it, or where the law
requires it.
- Remove permanently any individual found to have engaged in sexual misconduct,
grooming, abuse, or violence. There is no path back into the organization for this conduct.
8. No Retaliation
Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith, or who cooperates with a
review, is itself a serious violation of this policy and will result in removal. This protection
applies even if a report cannot ultimately be substantiated.
9. Volunteer Status Is At-Will
Volunteering with Waterway Cleanups is voluntary and at-will. No one has a contractual or
guaranteed right to a volunteer position. The organization may suspend or end any
volunteer relationship at any time to protect the safety of its people, consistent with its duty
of care. Suspension or removal under this policy is not a legal judgment about the individual;
it is the organization meeting its obligation to keep participants safe.
10. Acknowledgement
All volunteers are required to acknowledge and agree to this Code of Conduct as part of
signing the volunteer waiver. Continued participation constitutes ongoing agreement to
abide by this policy as it may be updated from time to time.
Questions about this policy may be directed to info@waterwaycleanups.org. This policy is a
statement of organizational standards and expectations; it is not legal advice.
