ANTI-VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT POLICY

Venture For America does not tolerate harassment, threats, threatening behavior, or acts of violence by its Fellows or Alumni (emotional, verbal, physical, or other), whether sexual in nature or not.

Because VFA is not your employer, your first course of action if you experience these behaviors from another Fellow or Alum may be to report to other entities. For instance, if the Fellow or Alum engaging in the harassing, threatening, or violent behavior works with you at the same Company Partner – or is a supplier, client, or customer of your Company Partner – you should first report your concern to a manager or human resources representative of that company who will have the duty to investigate. If you believe you have been the victim of a crime, we encourage you to report that incident to law enforcement and to seek medical attention, if necessary. After reporting to your employer and/or other authorities, your next step is to notify VFA that an investigation is ongoing.

However, if the conduct at issue does not involve a Fellow or Alum who works at your Company Partner, and you do not believe you have been the victim of a crime, your first course of action is to report your concern to VFA directly.

Once VFA receives notice that a Fellow or Alum has committed, or has been alleged to have committed, any of the prohibited conduct above (at any time, against anyone), VFA will conduct an investigation. In the course of VFA’s investigation, VFA will take such action as VFA, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to maintain a safe and respectful program. VFA reserves the right to report the Fellow or Alum to their Company Partner, the police, or other relevant authorities without notice, and VFA will cooperate with such authorities in any investigation in connection with the incident. Any Fellow or Alum who is found to have threatened, harassed, or perpetrated acts of violence against another Fellow or Alum may be dismissed or barred from any VFA-sponsored events and/or technology, or suspended from the program. Alums may lose eligibility for VFA for entrepreneurship programming, such as the Accelerator, any grant or investment opportunities, and participation in future VFA sponsored programming.

OPEN AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE POLICY

Venture For America requires companies that hire Fellows to foster a corporate culture that is open and inclusive. All companies that interview Fellows agree to this policy as part of the Company Partner Hiring Agreement, with the understanding that VFA may terminate its relationship with any company. VFA’s full policy against discriminatory practices by Company Partners against Fellows can be found here, including definitions, reporting and investigatory procedures, and potential VFA actions when such practices occur. Fellows experiencing discriminatory practices – which may include but are not limited to racial slurs, unfair hiring and promotion practices, or sexual harassment – should read the policy in full and use the Inappropriate Incident Report Form to notify us of your experience.

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Venture For America is sensitive to the struggles of mental and physical health challenges and how it may impact a Fellow’s ability to fully engage with the Fellowship, their place of employment and their VFA city. However, VFA Team members are not qualified to give medical advice. If you encounter a situation where you feel that your health or safety, or the health or safety of another Fellow is at risk, we encourage you to seek out the support of the police or an appropriately qualified healthcare provider. VFA maintains a list of national support resources available to you here. If you feel that it is also appropriate to inform VFA, email our Chief Programs Officer, Carrie Murphy at carrie@ventureforamerica.org.

Helpline Resources:

Resources by City

Mental Health Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Substance Abuse and Addiction Hotline: 1-888-459-5511

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Ohio Department of Mental Health: 1-800-720-9616

PRESS POLICY

If you will be interacting with someone who works in the media (like a writer for the local paper, or reporter, blogger, etc.) and discussing VFA, you must coordinate with VFA’s Communications Team in advance. That means you’re responsible for notifying VFA that the conversation is going to happen, coordinating a time to discuss it with the VFA Communications Team, and getting statements approved by VFA in advance. In the same vein, if you are contacted by a member of the media to talk about VFA or the Fellow program, please refer them to VFA’s marketing department. You can reach out to marketing@ventureforamerica.org.