A Drinking Club with a Running Problem
The Ithaca Hash House Harriers (IH3) want to create a responsive and proactive structure to ensure a safe environment for all hashers. We provide support for prevention and response, and we want all hashers to have fun and drink beer (or the beverage of their choice) in a safe and comfortable environment.
Non-consensual interactions and violence in any form will not be tolerated anywhere hashers assemble. This includes, but is not limited to, any non-consensual sexual conduct, both verbal and physical threats, harassment, abuse, and non-consensual photography and sharing. We also do not tolerate theft or misappropriation of others’ and the hash’s dollars, hab, and their belongings.
Consent is mutual, informed, specific, freely given, reversible, and required. No means no. The absence of “no” is not consent. Someone who is severely intoxicated cannot consent. If someone changes their mind, respect their choice. If you are unsure, ask and respect your partner’s response.
No means no, but so does:
Hashing and crashing are privileges. Inappropriate behavior is subject to removal from the hash and/or crash space for the day, for a period of time, or permanently at GM and Mismanagement discretion. If you are a safety risk to others, you will be removed and are not welcome at the hash.
Getting Support
If you need help, talk to the GM, another member of Mismanagement, or ask an Ithaca hasher you trust to point you in the right direction.
IH3 Mismanagement can…
If you ever need it, you can also call a local hotline, and/or law enforcement.
IH3’s Authorities
1. IH3’s GM is the point person for Mismanagement and the kennel, and the general facilitator for addressing issues, so empowered as the elected representative of the kennel.
2. Other members of Mismanagement, as the elected and managing representative body of the kennel (RA, On Sec, Hash Cash, Hare Raiser, Beer Meister, Hash Ranger Rep) can and should receive any reported concerns and bring them to the GM.
3. Hash Rangers, as volunteers of a committee, have the authority to watch and help de-escalate situations on weekend campouts or trails. Hash Rangers can and should receive reported concerns and alert the GM or Mismanagement. To the extent possible (and comfortable), Hash Rangers may also intervene early to de-escalate a situation, but should always later report those situations to the GM and Mismanagement for any needed follow-up.
4. IH3 hashers all share in the responsibility of upholding our community standards and should report any concerns brought to our attention to the GM, Mismanagement, or Hash Rangers.
When Incidents Occur
Incidents can be reports from the Reporter (the person reporting a concern), the Subject (the person who is being reported), and eyewitnesses.
To all hashers: If you see something, say something!
Hearsay and rumors are not helpful. Note that an eyewitness may see something, but we must first find out if an individual wants to become a Reporter and pursue the complaint.
In the moment, if an incident has occurred:
1. Listen to the story.
2. Do not dismiss the story or the feelings of the Reporter(s).
3. Alert the GM, another member of Mismanagement, or ask an Ithaca hasher you trust to help.
4. The GM will inquire to find out more details. Note that the GM will likely need to communicate with both parties (Reporter and Subject) separately. Depending on the situation, the GM may need to wait until they are sober. Also, understand that when someone is accused, it is natural for them to react in self-protective ways, such as anger, disbelief, dismissiveness, arguing.
5. If there are witnesses, the GM will communicate with them separately to gather more information.
General Flow Chart of Reporting and Action:
Potential Sanctions/Interventions:
1. Verbal interventions
a. Warning
b. Mediation (If necessary we will seek help from another kennel to help with mediation).
2. Suspension or temporary ban
3. Permanent ban
Rights of the Subject:
1. To be notified of the complaint and to receive the details of the complaint in writing.
2. After the Subject receives written details of the complaint, they shall be allowed a minimum of 24 hours to deliberate before they receive further questioning or are pressed for a response.
3. The Subject shall be allowed to have their side heard – either by written response or via private discussion with the GM or additional members of Mismanagement.
Other Considerations
Incidents at Other Kennels:
In general, we will try to avoid having to deal with hashers from other kennels whose actions occurred at other events. Exception: If the inappropriate action was against an IH3 hasher at an away event, we may take action and we should work collaboratively with the other kennel and respect their decision-making process.
To the degree possible, the GM will endeavor to get information about hashers that other kennels warn us about leading up to events IH3 is putting on. IH3 will stand with and support decisions made by other kennels; such as, suspensions and bans.
The GM Banned List:
GM’s are privy to a listing of banned hashers from other kennels. The list is not necessarily updated regularly and details about the bans are only sometimes provided. However, prior to Hash Weekends, the GM will review our rego list to see if a hasher we do not know is on the banned list. The GM may inquire with the GM of the kennel who banned the hasher, if information is needed. However, if a hasher we do not know is on the banned list, we may decide to exclude them from our weekend events without digging deeply for more information.
About This Document
Ithaca Hash House Harriers created this to be a living document, subject to review and revision, as needed. All feedback is welcome.
Ithaca Hash House Harriers encourages other hash kennels to share, adapt, and remix as they wish.