Talk:Application procedure

From EcoReality

Some questions to consider adding to the questionnaire:

Jan Steinman in green.

-Where do you live now? Who do you live with?

I think forward-looking questions are wiser. "Who will be in your family unit when you take up residence here?" seems more legitimate, more useful, and also more general. That would cover "Is your extended family going to move in with you?" as well as whatever specific situation you seem concerned about with this question.

-When do you hope to move to EcoReality?

Good question!

-Do you have any health challenges or are you seeing a doctor for any health issues?

Some questions like this can get us into trouble. Housing discrimination due entirely to health may be (should be!) illegal. I think the burden would be on us to show we were non-discriminatory, should there be a suit.

A much better question would be to express a legitimate need in the context of health. "Do you have any health challenges that would interfere with your membership obligations, including agricultural work?"

-Are you on any medication? Which one(s)?

I'm not a phamacist. How about "What for?" instead of "Which?" But even that is drifting into dangerous, discriminatory territory. It's none of our business, unless we can frame the question in a way that legitimately applies to EcoReality business. Again, "Are you taking any medications that could interfere with your obligations as a member, including operating tools and machinery?"

Dennis Lucarelli in blue. For possible modification of the question about criminal background, which currently reads:

-Have you ever been arrested? List jurisdiction, charges, disposition, and other details.

A question has come up about the use of the word "arrested" in this question. It could be replaced with the phrase "convicted of a criminal offense. Some "arrests" are for minor violations such as traffic violations, or for participating in political demonstrations or other activities which might not have led to a criminal conviction. A rationale for not asking about arrests, only for convictions, is: "Guilty until proven innocent."

Thus, the word "arrest" is replaced with "convicted of a criminal offense".

I want to know if they've been arrested, not if they've been convicted! They have a chance to explain the circumstances. It might be something they deserve to be proud about. On the other hand, it is not unknown for someone to be unjustly convicted. Jan Steinman 05:08, 31 October 2009 (UTC)

1. Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense? List jurisdiction, charges for which you were tried, disposition, and other details.