Guidelines for the Membership of Public Officials in Private Clubs & Fraternal Orders Adopted by the Governor's Commission on Human Rights December 10, 1966, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Since discrimination on the ground of race, creed or national origin is in conflict with the letter and spirit of the Wisconsin Constitution, the Constitution of the United States and the large body of law guar- anteeing equal opportunities to all our citizens, it seems evident that public officials - particularly those who hold high executive, legis- lative or judicial office whether on the state or local level - are morally bound to do nothing that would appear to condone or encourage discriminatory practices in our society. In this respect, both their public behavior and private associations - including their club member- ships are open to scrutiny. The membership of public officials in organizations which have been formed to preserve or promote the values of certain religious, cultural or ethnic groups, cannot be censured. Those who belong to the Polish War Veterans, the Knights of Columbus or B'nai B'rith are not encour- aging discrimination. They are simply acknowledging their religious, cultural or national origin - something which is entirely proper and permissible in our pluralistic society. Other social clubs and fraternal orders, however, are a different case. The names by which they are called have no religious or ethnic connota- tions. They do not exist to further the cause of a particular faith or national group. On the contrary, in their statements of benevolent and charitable purposes, they claim to serve the community at large and the good of all. For such groups to enunciate or practice exclusionary policies based on race, religion or national origin is a violation of social responsibility and a grave offense to those who are excluded. Worse than this, such discrimination does much to "set the tone" of a community, influencing in negative fashion public attitudes toward the religious, racial or ethnic groups which are barred from club member- ship and perpetuating patterns of exclusion in other areas such as employment and housing for minority groups. We cannot see how in good conscience those whose very positions in the executive, legislative or judicial processes of government require them to deal fairly and equally with all racial, religious or ethnic groups can in their private associations condone practices which are less than fair and equitable. We, therefore, commend those public officials who have refused to lend the weight of their name or office to discriminatory organizations, or who have endeavored to change the discriminatory policies of such organizations and when having failed to change these policies, have withdrawn from membership; and we call upon all who hold public office to do likewise. GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 1 WEST WILSON ST., MADISON, WIS. 53702 ---