Major organization-wide policies can be found beneath this header. These policies are created and amended through the governance process of the Mission Circle. Policies created by other roles and circles, along with some minor operational Mission Circle policies, live on Glassfrog.
The main channel for communication among PAF volunteers is a Slack workspace. The purpose of this workspace is to build community and encourage each other. This is not a constructive space for debates, arguments, or criticism. These should be given directly and offline when possible.
Below are the guidelines organizers use to moderate Slack to ensure conversations there are helping our community stay strong and grow. We hope these guidelines create clear expectations about what does and does not belong in our shared communication channels.
All comments should be kind, respectful, and encouraging towards other community members. Comments that are critical of other community members' actions or choices will be removed. If you have feedback for someone, we encourage you to reach out to them directly, and try to understand their perspective first.
Do not pressure people about their individual consumption. This is not a place to tell other people why they should go vegan. Posts directly pressuring community members to be vegan or vegetarian, or shaming non-vegans, will be removed.
Controversial or polarizing topics are not appropriate. While debating ideas is important, that is not what our Slack space is for. Instead, we are working hard to create a welcoming space for people with different views. Posts agitating controversial topics will be removed, especially if they condemn (explicitly or implicitly) people holding opposing views. Such topics include, but are not limited to:
Whether certain products/activities are vegan
Vaccines and Covid regulations
Controversies around gender and sexuality
Religious beliefs
Describing one's own experiences is perfectly appropriate, but do your best to avoid politicking. The following examples are an attempt to illustrate the difference:
Personal experience | Politicking |
---|---|
"My parents were more upset when I went vegan than when I came out 😝"
"Conservatives are hopeless, they're just a bunch of homophobes"
"My religious faith is what motivates me to fight for animals."
"Who here believes in God? If God is real, why is he letting animals suffer?"
"I decided (not) to get the vaccine."
Sharing links to information advocating for or against Covid vaccines.
"I practice the liberation pledge."
"If you really care about animals, you shouldn't go to a restaurant that serves meat."
Applying to all volunteers, organizers, and employees of Pro-Animal Future.
At Pro-Animal Future, we welcome anyone who wants to join us, even if they have opposing views or work in industries that may conflict with our mission. This includes agents of industry or government who may not share our values but wish to participate for any reason. While we do not require a personal practice of veganism for participation, we do require that all members, including infiltrators, adhere to our code of conduct. Our goal is to create a welcoming and respectful community that strives to create a better future for animals and humans alike.
It is expected that everyone treats all members of the community and the greater public with respect. These expectations apply to members, associates, and guests while at PAF events, when representing PAF to the public, in PAF communication channels, or while interacting with people you meet through any of the above.
We do not discriminate or harass anyone on the basis of race, color, or ethnicity; nationality, immigration status, citizenship, or ancestry; age; species; religion or spiritual belief; sex; sexual orientation; gender, gender identity, or gender expression; marital status; pregnancy or parental status; physical or mental ability, medical conditions, or disability status; education; or financial means, socioeconomic status, or class.
We acknowledge that there are various methods used for killing animals for human consumption, including conventional methods as well as religious methods such as halal and kosher. We believe that all forms of killing animals for food are equally objectionable and are not part of a compassionate future. It is not acceptable to single out any particular religious method for criticism or condemnation.
We do not condone harassment, which can range from extreme forms such as physical violence or threats of violence to less obvious actions like ridiculing, teasing, or repeatedly bothering community members, or intentionally excluding someone from otherwise open community activities, or making them feel unwelcome.
We do not use or condone speciesist, sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, ageist, or otherwise discriminatory language, including ridiculing or demeaning comments, even if intended to be humorous.
We honor pronouns and gender identities. When we make a mistake with someone’s pronouns, we correct it and move on.
We do not use objectifying language toward nonhuman animals, e.g. "it," "meat," "beef.”
We do not engage in or condone violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person.
We do not gossip about other members.
Gossip is discussing the faults of others without a constructive intention. Venting to someone about a conflict in order to process your emotions, or seeking advice from a third party, do not constitute gossip if your intention is to improve your relationship with the person in question. Gossip occurs when your intention is to put others down, or to bond with someone at the expense of someone else.
We extend our respect and good faith to people outside our community, such as during petitioning or in public parks during community events.
We approach disagreements and different opinions with curiosity. We default to giving others the benefit of the doubt, especially when communicating online.
When we perceive potential conflict, we engage in calm conversations, with the goal of understanding other points of view. We take escalating online disagreements offline to a phone or in-person conversation, or respectfully agree to disengage on the topic.
We embody the ideals of nonviolence and nonviolent direct action by directing our anger at systems, not the individuals who are caught up in those systems.
When we feel someone is not acting in accordance with our values we speak directly with that person one-on-one, trying to understand their true meaning and intentions, and sharing our concern.
We are open to feedback when others express concern or hurt over our words or behavior. We listen before we respond, acknowledge when we are mistaken, and take steps to do better.
If a conflict escalates beyond our ability to engage in it constructively, we may seek the assistance of multipartial third parties to help the original parties reach a constructive resolution.
We acknowledge that there will be disagreements and different perspectives in the community and we aim to focus on the values that unite us. However, disagreements or debates affecting a large enough section of the community may necessitate the involvement of PAF’s Mission Circle or an authorized representative, potentially resulting in corrective action.
We do not expect leadership to solve our personal disputes or problems.
Enthusiastic consent is achieved when someone has demonstrated clear verbal or physical communication that they are excited to take part in an activity. The activity may be sexual or it may something else, but either way, enthusiastic consent must be freely given (without coercion, pressure or being under the influence), reversible, informed, and specific to the situation in question.
We ask for and wait to be given consent before initiating any physical contact, including non-sexual contact such as hugs.
We do not give anyone unwelcome sexual attention. This includes sexualized comments, jokes, or innuendos, inappropriate touching or groping, unwelcome sexual advances, leering, invasion of personal space, blocking normal movement, and any other behavior that makes another community member sexually uncomfortable.
We do not record or photograph others outside the scope of public events and actions, such as protests and Meetups, unless given explicit permission.
We do not display or share offensive images, such as videos, photos, cartoons, or drawings that are derogatory or sexualizing of others.
We do not pressure someone to submit to romantic or sexual requests for any reason, including as a condition of receiving opportunities or to avoid loss of opportunities.
We are conscious of power, position, and privilege when it comes to initiating any romantic or sexual behavior or relationship.
It is unacceptable to retaliate against or penalize those who report, express an intent to report, assist another person to report, or participate in an investigation related to a report about any of the above behaviors.
We recognize that the preceding list cannot include every possible situation, but we trust our community members to apply the underlying values as needed and appropriate.
This code of conduct can apply to PAF members outside the context of an official PAF event. For instance, harassment or escalatory conflict behavior on social media may constitute a violation. Committing a violent crime or crime of moral turpitude, even outside the context of a PAF event, would also constitute a violation.
All food and beverages at PAF events must be free of animal products. Additionally, events should be free of drugs, including alcohol.
While on a PAF-related trip, sleeping arrangements should be made thoughtfully. No one should be asked to share a bed or other sleeping arrangement (e.g. couch or car) with someone they would not already be comfortable doing so with outside of the trip.
updated 2021.03
This policy applies to all Partners and associates that need to spend money for mission-related activities.
Any member of the Mission Circle may unilaterally approve expenses less than $500 per month. Any expenses over that threshold must be approved by a decision of the full Mission Circle.
There is no guarantee that an expense will be approved after the fact, so when possible, you should seek approval before spending money. If you make an unauthorized purchase with an organizational account, you may be required to pay the money back yourself.
The Mission Circle may also approve a budget for any sub-circle. At that point, the circle lead has discretion over use of the use of their circle's budget.
If an approved expense was paid by an individual Partner or associate, reimbursements may be made by check or electronic transfer, at the discretion of the recipient.
We practice voluntary simplicity and want to avoid overspending or unnecessary costs. With any purchase, please put in some extra effort to find a less expensive option, within reason. In general, Pro-Animal Future is very unlikely to reimburse expenses that could be deemed luxuries, such as professional dinners or business-class tickets and other upgrades.
Travel expenses include any kind of transportation and accommodation expenses that you incur when going on a work trip. Expenses related to this category that may be fully or partly reimbursable include:
Accommodation
Legal document expenses (e.g. Visa)
Air, train, ship, gasoline, or other transportation fares
Necessary medical expenses (e.g. vaccinations)
Local transportation during trips (taxi fares, rental cars etc.)
Other minor or per diem expenses that are included in that trip’s budget (e.g. meals, business material)
Medical expenses arising from travel-related accidents, if appropriate.
We won't reimburse the following:
Expenses incurred by spouses or other associates who accompany our Partners on their travels
Un-authorized service upgrade (e.g. business class or hotel rooms)
Travel insurance (unless explicitly approved by MC in writing)
Personal services (massages, beauty treatments etc.)
Personal purchases (gifts, clothes etc.)
Lost personal property (e.g. luggage)
Cannabis or alcoholic beverages
Animal products
Fines incurred while driving or parking
Non-business subscriptions/ training
Personal trips
This list is not exhaustive. Seek approval before spending money when possible, and use the normal approval process for uncertain reimbursements after the fact.
Any excessive expenses will be investigated. Consistent falsified or exaggerated claims, or repeatedly making unauthorized purchases with a Pro-Animal Future account, will be grounds to initiate a conflict process and may initiate a review of a Partner's membership in Pro-Animal Future.
updated 2021.03
As with other matters, we publish all information related to our finances unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. The main reason to publish our financial information is so that our associates may hold us accountable.
We ask all associates, friends, and supporters of Pro-Animal Future to join us in keeping vigilant watch for the many nefarious issues that may arise in an organization where money is concerned, including but not limited to:
Undue influence exerted on our mission by donors, either directly or indirectly by our need to appeal to donors.
Replacing creativity with money; becoming lazy with how we spend money when a creative solution has greater potential.
Conflict over how to spend money and an artificial sense of scarcity.
Becoming overly invested in the separation between individuals receiving money from the movement and those who are not; arrogance on the part of paid staff.
At a minimum, the following information shall be published on our website annually:
IRS Form 990 returns.
An annual report detailing our financial activity in broad terms, including:
a breakdown of our expenses for the year into meaningful, clearly defined categories; and
a breakdown of income from small, mid-sized, and large donations, and an exact amount received from each grantor of large donations. (The grantor's identity may be kept anonymous, per the section below.)
The identities of research fellows and the amount of their grant, as well as the identity of and amount given to anyone else for customized products or services.
Where our money is banked.
Generally speaking, except for the items listed above, financial information may be kept private where relevant laws allow and if there is a compelling reason to do so. Some examples are:
The identity of a grantor, be they an individual or a foundation, if the grantor provides a credible explanation for why their identity should be kept private. (Where such exceptional circumstances apply, the donation will be published with an accompanying note: “Donor has requested anonymity.”)
Any financial information related to active or potential legal cases.
Identities of donors who contribute less than $5000 per year shall be kept private unless the donor requests otherwise.
Money is an incredibly potent force in our society. The overwhelming tendency of money is to reinforce the status quo by directing energy into the channels created and stewarded by economically dominant institutions. Money therefor poses a threat to any organization attempting to challenge or disrupt the status quo. At the same time, many organizations have missions which cannot be accomplished without money, and the movement ecosystem could never be complete without them. We must find a way to raise money without succumbing to its dangers.
Of the dangers listed above, the risk of co-optation is the most nefarious. We adopt the following rules in an attempt to mitigate the threat of financial co-optation. (For the purpose of these rules, a grantor is someone contributing over $5000 per year.)
We will never accept grants from individuals or organizations with any financial or business interest in any animal agriculture, fishing, or vivisection enterprise.
We will never discontinue, or decline to undertake, any program at the suggestion of a current or potential grantor.
We will never hire someone or provide a research grant to a particular grantee at the behest of a current or potential grantor.
We will never accept more than $5000 in one year from a member of the Mission Circle (Board of Directors), and giving more than that amount in one year shall make someone ineligible to sit on the board for three years.
As much as circumstance, reason, and law allow, we shall not base decisions about our mission and programs on what we think will satisfy donors and grantors.