Care & Conduct

Revised Dec. 2024

Karmê Chöling exists to support each individual in discovering their own inherent Basic Goodness. When this goodness is expressed in a community, Enlightened Society is formed.

Rooted in the Shambhala tradition, the Karmê Chöling community values respect for all individuals; regardless of age, race, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation or identity, capabilities, politics, religion or occupation. Every person has the right to be free from harassment, intimidation, and discrimination!

Abiding by this Care & Conduct Policy is a requirement for all staff, residents, program participants, volunteers and visitors who stay at Karmê Chöling. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in dismissal or being asked to leave.

• Household Members consisting of Staff, Residents, and Volunteers: This is an ongoing group of people who reside at Karmê Chöling as their primary residence while they are here. They constitute a kind of backdrop or container for the Participants who come in for Programs.
• Participants come to Karmê Chöling on a temporary basis, to take part in a Program of specific duration. They are not part of the ongoing household at KCL but are here to focus on the Program, returning to their home after it has finished.

1. Treat others with respect: Be genuine, honest and decent in relating to others
2. Be law-abiding and trustworthy: Do not waiver in meeting your obligations and take only what is freely offered by others.
3. Communicate: Listen to each other. Convey your needs clearly. Communicate gently and thoughtfully without manipulation or slander.
4. Learn from each other: Give kind and honest feedback and be willing to receive it.
5. Care for each other: Care for everyone’s well-being and work for the benefit of all without bias or prejudice.
6. Meditation and Practices: Commit to practice & study during your time at KCL. Staff and residents need to maintain an active ongoing relationship with a meditation instructor or someone who formally helps you reflect on your path. Practice disciplines that benefit yourself and others.
7. Take responsibility for yourself: Own your decisions and actions and learn from your mistakes. Take responsibility for your own state of mind. Continue medications and treatments that have been prescribed to you that you need.
8. Help protect the harmony and dignity of our community: Recognize that overindulgence of alcohol and use of drugs can negatively affect your behavior and impact the experience of those around you.
9. Positions of authority: Recognize that any position of power is a responsibility. Whether it is in the context of work or a program, authority is always in the service of promoting the well-being of others.
10. Engage in mindful relationships: Be especially caring and respectful in intimate relationships where vulnerabilities are shared. If Household Community Members wish to enter into relationships with each other, it is recommended that they give themselves at least 1-3 months to settle into their new life at Karmê Chöling and its meditation environment before becoming involved in an intimate relationship with a Housemate.

Summary

1. Unlawful actions

2. Firearms

3. Alcohol & Recreational Drugs

4. Sexual Misconduct

5. Harmful Speech

6. Causing Division & Disharmony

(which will be reported to law enforcement officials) including but not limited to:

• Sexual assault, stalking, or harassment
• Physical violence
• Financial malfeasance
• Theft
• Damaging property
• Possession of illegal drugs, including prescription medication not prescribed to you
• Abuse of children and vulnerable adults
• Sexual relationship with an underaged minor
• Providing alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age of 21
• Possession or consumption of alcohol by individuals under the age of 21
• Violating any other state and federal laws

No bringing or possessing firearms on Karmê Chöling premises. This will automatically result in you being asked to leave.

• No use of illegal drugs on the Karmê Chöling premises, including prescription drugs that are not prescribed to you.
• No use of recreational marijuana on KCL premises.
• Medical marijuana prescriptions: KCL leadership needs prior knowledge of any medical marijuana prescriptions you have before you arrive at KCL.
• No use of alcohol during programs that involve under-aged minors including Family Camp
• No use of alcohol in public spaces at KCL except for ritual use and social events, both of which need prior KCL leadership approval
• No overindulgence of alcohol resulting in inebriation

Including but not restricted to:

• No sexualizing gestures, verbal innuendo, or invasive personal questioning.
• No inappropriate touching including touching or grabbing any part of a person’s body when that person has indicated that such physical contact is unwanted
• Do not continue to ask a person to socialize when that person has indicated they are not interested
• Do not tell sexual jokes or use sexually vulgar or explicit language in the presence of a person known not to welcome such behavior
• Do not use the dharma or other spiritual principles to obtain sexual favors.
• Sexual relations between a Participant who is at KCL to attend a specific program, and a Household Community Member are prohibited. (An exception would be if two people were already in a relationship when they entered KCL.)
• Sexual relationships between staff, residents, or volunteers where there is an imbalance of power is prohibited. For example:
  • Supervisor and subordinate in a work situation
  • Meditation instructor and the student they are instructing
  • Teacher and student who are involved in a program
    
    (An exception is when two people are already in a relationship when they enter KCL.)

Including but not restricted to:

• False or deceptive speech, including denial of responsibility.
• Demeaning language with regard to race, gender, class, sexual identity, nationality, age, ethnicity, language, physical ability, and other differences.
• Verbal or emotional abuse including screaming, name-calling, shaming, intimidation, threats, and bullying.

Including but not restricted to:

• Discrimination or exclusion with regard to race, gender, class, sexual identity, national origin, age, ethnicity, language, physical ability, or other characteristics.
• Shunning another. Retaliating against those who report harm.
• Behavior that causes a level of disturbance within the community requiring a formal response – such as the effects of unconscious racism or insensitivity to the experiences of others.
• Abuse of privileges or requiring unreasonable special treatment.
• Distorting and using teachings for personal advantage.
• Non-disclosure of a conflict of interest.
• Casually touching a person who has explicitly indicated that physical contact, no matter how innocuous, is not desired.
• Attempting social engagement with an individual who has indicated they do not want to interact.

Complaints and issues related to the Care & Conduct Policy are managed by the Care & Conduct Team which includes the Director of Personnel and several staff or household members.

This team addresses a variety of concerns, including:

• Complaints about potential violations of the Care & Conduct Policy
• Issues related to alcohol or substance use within the Household
• Mental health challenges that may affect community or workplace dynamics

The Care & Conduct Team can be reached by:

• Talking to a member in person. The Personnel Director is always one of the members.
• Placing a note in our dropbox that is on the table by the mailboxes
• Email: careandconductteam@karmecholing.org

When an issue arises involving the Care & Conduct Policy, substance use, or mental health concerns, the following steps should be taken:

• Report Immediately: The issue should be reported as soon as possible to a member of the Care & Conduct Team.
• Recusal Process: If a member of the Care & Conduct Team is directly involved in the issue, they will recuse themselves from the review process to ensure impartiality.

Once a complaint is received, the Care & Conduct Team will conduct a thorough investigation. This process includes gathering relevant information by:

• Speaking with the individual directly involved in the issue
• Interviewing the person who raised the concern
• Speaking with any witnesses or others present when the incident occurred
• Reviewing written communications that may be relevant
• Investigating any other materials or context related to the issue

Based on the information gathered, the Care & Conduct Team will determine whether a violation of the Care & Conduct Policy has occurred or if there is an issue to be resolved. The team will then provide a written response to the person who raised the issue, outlining the findings and any actions to be taken.

If the investigation reveals that there has been a violation or issue, one or more of the following actions may be taken:

• Notification of Violation: The individual who violated the Code of Conduct will be notified, either through an interview or in writing, that a violation has occurred. They will be informed of the consequences of their actions.
• Remedial Actions: The individual may be provided with written instructions on the necessary steps to remedy the situation and prevent further violations.
• Community Resolution: Whenever possible, we encourage communal resolution through methods such as:
  • Face-to-face communication between the parties involved
  • Community meetings to address broader issues affecting the group
  • Mediation by a neutral third party

For serious violations, the following additional actions may be considered:

• Documentation: The violation may be noted in the individual's personnel, resident, participant, or volunteer file.
• Dismissal: Depending on the severity of the violation, the individual may be dismissed from the program or community.
• Escalation: If necessary, the matter may be reported to the Shambhala International Code of Conduct office for further review. If anyone involved in the care and conduct matter indicates that they are pursuing legal recourse, KCL will stop its own care and conduct process and refer the matter to Shambhala’s legal counsel.
• Legal Reporting: Violations of the law will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

By following this structured process, Karmê Chöling ensures that all complaints and issues are handled with fairness, integrity, and a commitment to maintaining a supportive and respectful community.

This document will be reviewed annually by the Executive Director, the HR Director and the Care & Conduct Team, or if changes in the law or other circumstances warrant earlier review.

Karmê Chöling’s Care & Conduct Policy is based on the principles set forth in the Shambhala Global Code of Conduct, the guiding document of our parent organization. In case of any discrepancy between Global’s or KCL’s policies, the stricter policy will take precedence.

I have read, understand and agree to abide by the Karmê Chöling Care & Conduct Policy while at Karmê Chöling (including all its properties).