Congratulations on being selected as a Bernie 2020 Delegate! As a delegate, you will be representing Senator Bernie Sanders, the ideas he ran on and the millions of working people who supported his campaign. This is a serious responsibility, which is why we are asking you to review and follow the following Delegate Code of Conduct and Social Media Guidelines.

Delegate Code of Conduct

• I will read all texts and emails from the Delegates Team promptly, and whenever possible, I will follow any instructions by the stated deadline.
• I will alert the Bernie 2020 Press and Delegates Teams (by emailing [email protected] and [email protected]) if I am approached by the media. I understand the need for the entire delegation to speak with a unified voice, and will clarify that my comments represent only my personal opinion and do not represent the campaign or the delegation. I also understand that statements I make may be taken out of context, and I will refrain from making comments that could reflect poorly on Senator Sanders, his campaign, or my fellow delegates.
• I will listen to all guidance from the Delegates Team, including any strategic changes. I will stay focused on the mission and uphold the values of the campaign.
• I will engage with other delegates, automatic delegates (commonly called superdelegates), party leadership, and elected officials with respect and a spirit of cooperativeness, even if I disagree with them. I will remain professional even in the face of criticism. I will listen, and not force my opinions on someone if they are not interested in engaging.
• I will start from the belief that everyone deserves dignity and respect.
• I will have empathy for my colleagues and fellow delegates and assume that everyone is doing their best.
• I will practice good self-care: take time for any activity that cares for my mental, emotional, and physical health.
• I will not disparage, judge, or discriminate based, at a minimum, on any protected class: race, sex, age, physical and mental disabilities, veteran status, national origin, citizenship, religion, color, or any other status, whether protected by law or not.
• I will speak up if I witness harassment. I will not retaliate against anyone when they exercise their rights.
• I acknowledge my own biases and how they might influence me. Biases can influence our decisions, thoughts, and behaviors without us even noticing, until we make a conscious effort to acknowledge and account for them.
• I will act with integrity. I will strive to be reliable and trustworthy.
• I will foster an open work environment where everyone feels comfortable raising questions and concerns.
• I will seek help resolving issues, rather than working in a silo.
• I understand that I am accountable for knowing the policies and procedures. These policies are here to protect the integrity of the campaign and the movement.

Social Media Guidelines

At Bernie 2020, we understand that social media can be a fun and rewarding way to share your life and opinions with family, friends and co-workers around the world. However, social media accounts maintained by Bernie 2020 Delegates can also reflect upon the reputation of Senator Bernie Sanders and his campaign.

If you use social media – publicly or privately – please read the following guidelines carefully. It is important to understand and to abide by these guidelines. Failure to do so may result in your removal from the delegation.

Before tweeting or posting from your personal social media accounts, ask yourself these questions: If this appeared on the front page of The New York Times, would it compromise Bernie Sanders’s message, credibility, or reputation? Could it potentially risk your standing as a delegate? When re-tweeting or sharing information from others, are you applying a judicious standard?

Social media postings have the potential to generate media coverage. If a member of the media contacts you about a posting of any kind, please alert the Bernie 2020 Press and Delegates Teams by emailing [email protected] and [email protected]

Our expectation is that Bernie 2020 Delegates will commit to the following guidelines:

1. Assume everything you post is ‘on the record’ and may be interpreted as being attributed to the Senator Sanders and his campaign.
2. Bernie 2020 Delegates are encouraged to share campaign-approved content on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other major social platforms.
3. Do your best to avoid online arguments or confrontations. If engaging in an adversarial conversation, be respectful when addressing opposing viewpoints or commenting on the opposition.
4. Refrain from making defamatory statements about other candidates, party leaders, campaigns, campaign staffers, supporters, news organizations or journalists. Our campaign is about the issues and finding solutions to America’s problems. Our job is to use social media to highlight positively progressive policies and organizations, and to differentiate Senator Sanders on the issues – not through personal attacks.
5. Delegates should not post text or photos relating to campaign events and activities unless it is text or photos of the public-facing side of an open press event (i.e., no posts from backstage, nothing which reveals process, nothing from closed press events). All public events, including activity in the Convention Hall, as well as caucus and state delegation meetings, are public-facing and open press. If you are unsure, do NOT post without permission.
6. Do not disclose confidential or proprietary information obtained through your participation as a delegate. It is your responsibility to preserve confidential information and avoid inadvertent disclosure of such information. The campaign will take responsibility for identifying confidential material, but when in doubt, Delegates should assume everything is confidential unless explicitly told otherwise.
7. Respect all copyright, fair use, and financial disclosure laws.
8. If you believe you have made a substantive mistake, alert staff on the Delegates Team to determine a course of action. Deleting something does not make it go away. Do not act before consulting with the Delegates Team.