Grievance Complaint Information

Valuing Volunteers, Members, Staff, and Community

The Democratic Party of Lee County strives to be an inclusive organization.

We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all by expecting volunteers, members and staff, to treat everyone, including the general public, with courtesy and respect in both speech and behavior.

One cornerstone of achieving this goal is listening to those who do not feel they have been treated with courtesy and respect and providing a safe process for hearing those concerns. The Grievance Committee exists to provide that process — where all grievances are taken seriously and investigated, where all those involved are treated with respect, and where appropriate action will be taken to ensure we are living up to our bylaws. Ensuring that all feel welcome and heard could not be more critical as we enter 2021.

Grievance Reporting Form

To File a Complaint with the Grievance Committee, download a complaint report form and submit to grievances.leecountydems@gmail.com, or deliver by mail or in-person to:

Democratic Party of Lee County
Post Office Box 150246
Cape Coral FL 33915

Grievance Committee Overview

In January 2021, The Democratic Party of Lee County, under the direction of the Chair, with the goal of achieving a more equitable and accountable organization, created a special committee known as the Lee County Democratic Party Grievance Committee which will carry out several important services to our community and its members.

First, the Committee will accept, document, and review internal grievances from volunteers, members and staff of the Party. The Committee will investigate the grievances and provide recommendations to the Chair and Executive Committee, depending on the severity of the violation. Conflicts and incidents should be reported to the Grievance Committee within ninety (90) days of occurrence. The Grievance Committee Chair has discretion to extend reporting deadlines.

Second, while the Committee will be focused on resolving future conflicts and incidents, members are encouraged to bring forward formal complaints from past conflicts/incidents if they a) have not reported the incident because of a lack of a formal system for submitting grievances b) have submitted a report to Lee County Democratic Party leadership but feel the issue has been unaddressed or unresolved and c) the incident occurred within the past three (3) years. Complaints from prior incidents occurring under sections a, b, c above, have 30 days from the adoption of the Grievance Policy to file a formal grievance.

Third, the Committee will offer guidance to the volunteers, members and staff about how to successfully adhere to an environment which is safe and inclusive and respectful in both speech and behavior to ensure civility, respect, and fairness between and among our volunteers, members and staff.

As an organization that obtains its power from the collective action and support of its community, of particular concern to the Democratic Party of Lee County is whether any aggrieved individual or individuals have felt excluded, disenfranchised, or subject to intimidation or harassment. We seek to encourage ALL our volunteers, members and staff to participate and feel welcome at our meetings and activities. If you feel this basic tenet has been violated, we encourage you to submit a report to grievances.leecountydems@gmail.com and allow our Grievance Committee to review it.  Details about the Committee’s rules and procedures can be found by clicking on the following link:

Establishment of Grievance Policy

We welcome any feedback regarding our Grievance Policy, please send questions or comments to chair@leedems.org.