Purpose

Pine Belt Humanists (PBH) is an all-volunteer organization sustained by the donated time, energy, and funds of its members. We all share responsibility for creating a safe, welcoming, and positive community environment where everyone can participate comfortably. This Code of Conduct applies to members and nonmembers alike at PBH events, programs, and PBH-managed online spaces.

Inclusion and Respect

We are committed to opposing systemic injustice and inequality in our words, actions, and organizational practices. PBH welcomes all people regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, age, race, national origin, religion, or lack of religion.

Joining a group where others already know one another can be challenging. Please be especially mindful to greet, include, and support newcomers.

Critique Ideas, Not People

PBH events encourage thoughtful discussion, including conversations about religion and personal experiences. The presence of people who may feel uncomfortable with criticism of ideas does not mean these topics must be avoided; however, all dialogue must remain respectful. Our guiding principle is to challenge ideas while treating people with dignity. Respectful dialogue does not include personal attacks, mockery, or demeaning characterizations of others’ experiences or identities.

Addressing Conflict

If someone’s behavior makes you or others uncomfortable, speak up if you feel safe doing so. When possible, address concerns privately and respectfully. If the issue continues or if it feels unsafe to handle directly, notify a Board member, committee chair, or the event host. 

If you receive feedback, please accept it openly and without defensiveness. Good-faith feedback helps maintain a healthy community.

Prohibited Conduct

Harassment, discrimination, or hostile behavior that creates an intimidating, degrading, or unsafe environment is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Offensive or degrading verbal comments

• Unwelcome physical contact (always ask before touching another person)

• Sexual abuse of any kind, whether written, verbal, or physical

• Intimidation or threats

• Stalking

• Any behavior that creates a hostile or unsafe environment

Disruptive conduct that interferes with others’ ability to participate or enjoy PBH events is also prohibited. Examples include excessive interruptions, invasions of personal space, aggressive or demeaning speech, or any other actions that might be destructive to the common good or make others feel unsafe or unwelcome.

Participants are expected to conduct themselves respectfully; behavior that is disruptive due to intoxication or impairment is not permitted.

Weapons or dangerous items are not permitted at PBH events, except as required by law.

Individuals who are required to register as sex offenders must comply with all applicable restrictions under Mississippi and federal law, including restrictions on certain activities and locations where minors congregate. As an organizational policy, individuals required to register as sex offenders are prohibited from participating in any PBH event or activity where minors are reasonably expected to be present. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the individual's participation would otherwise constitute "volunteering" under Mississippi law. This policy does not replace or limit any requirements imposed by applicable law.

Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or participates in a review process is strictly prohibited.

Reporting

PBH has an open door policy for reporting. Please contact any Board member with your concerns via Signal or by emailing pinebelthumanists@gmail.com. 

Enforcement

The PBH Board will review concerns with sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality. Event hosts or designated representatives may act on behalf of the Board to address immediate concerns. To protect the community, participants may be asked to leave an event or, when necessary, have their membership revoked. Decisions made to protect the safety and well-being of the community must be respected at the time they are made. If a law has been violated, appropriate authorities may be notified.

Privacy and Photography

Respect the privacy and confidentiality of fellow participants, particularly when sensitive personal experiences or beliefs are shared.

PBH events may be photographed, audio recorded, or video recorded for the purpose of documenting and promoting our programs and community. By attending PBH events, participants acknowledge that images, audio, or video in which they appear may be used by PBH in publications, on our website, in email communications, and on social media platforms.

If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event host or a board member at the beginning of the event. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate such requests.

For events involving particularly sensitive personal sharing, recording may be limited or not permitted, and participants will be notified in advance.

Please honor requests from individuals who do not wish to be photographed. Do not post images of other people’s children without permission from a parent or guardian.

Solicitation Policy

Proselytizing is never allowed at PBH events or in PBH online spaces, and commercial promotion is not permitted without prior Board approval.

Noncommercial sharing of information about events or activities sponsored by allied or mission-aligned organizations may be permitted, provided such sharing is respectful, relevant to PBH’s mission, and does not interfere with PBH programming.

PBH Board members reserve the right to limit or prohibit such sharing at its discretion. Violations may result in removal from PBH spaces.

Legal Status

PBH is a chapter of the American Humanists Association. PBH does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office.