Code of Conduct

Attending events and programs presented by the Creative Education Foundation (CEF) can be transformative. Transformations require vulnerability, and we strive to make CEF events and programs as safe and authentic as possible. To ensure the optimal environment in which people can do self-exploration and reflection in the company of others we ask all participants to adhere to our Code of Conduct.

Our Code of Conduct is based upon CEF’s Core Values

Creativity

  • Creativity is innate; it can be deliberate, studied, taught, and learned. Constructive creativity requires personal integrity, as well as integrity in process, product and environment.
  • We respect and celebrate everyone’s creative ability. We exhibit personal integrity by being self-reflective and compassionate with others, and we also hold people accountable for behavior that harms or disrupts others or the creative environment. We speak directly without sarcasm. We do not gossip. We do not shame others.

Dialogue

  • Courageous and respectful communication yields meaning and understanding. We express viewpoints with clarity and self-awareness, ask questions to better understand others’ viewpoints, and listen generously.
  • Courageous and respectful communication means that we strive to be honest and clear, and that we express ourselves with self–control and confidence. We ask questions to seek understanding with others.

Process

  • We trust and use the Creative Problem Solving process in our leadership and program development. Play fosters creativity and connects us to our goals and each other.
  • When we feel stuck, we will return to the core principles of Creative Problem Solving and the creativity mindset. We will take the opportunity to reset when we feel stuck or frustrated. We recognize that play, kindness, and humor help us to connect and collaborate.

Inclusion

  • We achieve quality outcomes by bringing together people of different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and thinking processes. Variety and differences require us to remain open-minded, to use debate, and to manage conflicts as tools for stronger outcomes. We all embrace the value of inclusion and do so with the understanding that we all have more to learn about how to be truly inclusive. We are open to correction and growth. We also recognize that embracing inclusion does not mean tolerating destructive behavior.

Service

  • Generosity, awareness of self and others, and ongoing learning are essential characteristics of partners, volunteers, and staff.
  • Service requires high-level personal, interpersonal, and organizational goals, exceptional delivery, and achievable commitments.
  • We extend grace to others who may be experiencing challenges that compromise their behavior, until and unless they are not able to reset their behavior for the good of the majority. We will be clear about our expectations regarding a safe environment.

Growth

  • Individual growth and organizational growth go hand-in-hand.
  • Seeking both organizational growth and organizational stability requires fiscal responsibility, efficiency, effective resources management, and teamwork.
  • We practice and expect the practice of self-awareness. We will question “the way things have always been done” to ensure we are adapting to changing needs and circumstances.

We expect all staff, volunteers, board members, vendors, and program and event participants to abide by our code of conduct. We empower others to directly address deviations from our code of conduct, or to report deviations to a member of the staff or Board. If resolution of the questionable behavior is not achieved, the person in violation will be subject to removal or dismissal.