1. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; IPO MEMBERS

   a.    The Independent Party of Oregon (IPO)  is founded on solving civic problems with proposed solutions that are well-debated from a variety of viewpoints, based on facts and mutual respect for others. These values should apply to interactions within IPO, others in the political process and the public and media.

   b.    Officers, Caucus Members, Appointees and Candidates, as well as all members are free to express personal views, but should not claim or infer their personal opinions are also IPO policies or positions unless authorized to do so.

   c.    Officers, Caucus Members, Appointees and Candidates, as well as any member who disagrees with an IPO policy or position, are free to do so.  Discussions of policy differences within IPO and with the public should be respectful and focused on solutions, not personalities.

2.     CONDUCT OF CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGNS FOR PARTY OFFICE, NOMINATION FOR CANDIDATE FOR PARTISAN OFFICE AND PARTISAN OFFICE

   a.    All candidates and participants on campaigns for IPO party positions, nomination to be the IPO candidate for partisan office and for election to partisan office should be willing to respond to reasonable requests from IPO officers or their representatives

           (1)    responding to inquiries made regarding the candidate or campaign by another, including inquiries from any regulatory body;

           (2)    seeking to verify factual statements made as part of the campaign;

           (3)    seeking to investigate any situation which might bring the IPO into disrepute.

3.    RESOLUTION OF CONDUCT DISPUTES.

   a.    The Officers of the IPO will review any complaint or account of conduct which violates the expectations of sections 1 and 2, above.

   b.     The Officers will consider the nature of the violation and the degree to which the violation is clearly established by first contacting the complained-of member.

   c.    Thereafter, when appropriate, the Officers will interview others, review the duration or repetitions of the complained-of conduct, how many IPO members or members of the public were involved, to what the extent the conduct brought disrepute to the IPO, what mitigating steps were taken, what mitigating steps were necessary for the IPO to take on its own behalf, and other relevant factors depending on the circumstances.

   c.    When a violation appears willful, repeated, or otherwise egregious, and is without sufficient mitigating factors, the IPO will then consider appropriate sanctions, including, but not limited to, censure, press release or statement in Voters Pamphlet, or referral to regulatory body.