Standards Panel | Dirigo Union

Standards Panel & Candidates

Please review all the below members who are running for the Dirigo Union Supporters Club Standards Panel.

Accompanying Document that defines the Standards Panel

The Standards Panel is a board-adjacent body that provides independent review serious disciplinary matters. It exists to ensure that disciplinary decisions are made fairly and without conflicts of interest, particularly in cases involving Board members or situations where objectivity must be demonstrated to the broader membership.

Composition

The Panel has three seats: one rotating Board member (serving on a seasonal basis), one non-Board member appointed by the Board, and one non-Board member elected by the general membership. Panel members must be active DU members in good standing with no current Board seat and no active disciplinary record. Terms are one season, renewable once.

How it works:

For all Tier 4 and Tier 5 matters, the Panel reviews the incident and issues a written recommendation before the Board votes on any action.
When a Board member is the subject of a complaint, that member recuses entirely. The Panel conducts the fact-finding and presents its findings to the remaining Board members for a vote.
The Panel advises; it does not ban or revoke membership on its own. Final authority rests with the Board. The Panel’s authority covers all spaces where DU standards apply.
Any member subject to a Tier 4 or Tier 5 action will be notified of the Panel’s involvement and their right to appeal. Appeals are considered at Board discretion; all decisions are final.

Candidates

Nick Adams

Why are you a good fit for the Standards Panel?

I've been a DU member since March 2025 and I rarely miss a Hearts match. Whether it’s screaming our heads off at Fitzy, watching away games at the Zoo or hanging out at DU socials, this community means a lot to me. I'm interested in being a part of the Standards Panel because I believe it’s essential to keep the DU and Hearts matches safe and welcoming for all, a belief that got more concrete when I heard feedback from people who had left some matches feeling unwelcome.

As the CEO of a remote web development company with a diverse team, I handle sensitive HR and interpersonal issues regularly. Additionally, I live in Saco and serve on two different committees where I've evaluated and voted on safety requests and proposals that weren’t always popular with people who prioritize convenience over safety, but our decisions have helped create safe streets and recreational spaces for our community. My professional and volunteer work has taught me that these decisions affect real people's lives, and I don't take that lightly. To me, fairness is about getting all the facts, understanding context and holding everyone to the same standard, whether they're a friend or a stranger. Objectivity means being honest about my own gut reaction so I can recognize when it's coloring my judgment, then weighing facts without losing sight of how the people involved feel. The hardest part of any serious matter is resisting the rush to judgment. What I'd add to the Standards Panel is a willingness to ask difficult questions to get to the truth, and a commitment to a process that DU members trust to be transparent while also maintaining privacy so that anyone can feel safe coming forward.

Jeanne Hey

Why are you a good fit for the Standards Panel?

I'm a season ticket holder who joined the DU after watching how much fun everyone was having in the Zoo on game days. The Hearts of Pine and the DU are the best things that have happened in my life in the last 2 years. They make me proud to be a Mainer and have reinvigorated my desire to meet new people and be part of my local community. My motivation for serving on the Standards Panel is to support the Dirigo Union in its mission to be a vibrant, fun, and welcoming community in all its forums. I have been so impressed with the DU's community and inclusion-oriented culture. A Standards Panel is important in keeping it that way. I have spent over 30 years working in higher education. This brought me into discussions and decisions-making meetings where we had to balance the free exchange of expression and opinions with inclusivity, respect, and collaboration. This work will support me in sitting on the Standards Panel.

Jason Walker

Why are you a good fit for the Standards Panel?

My name is Jason Walker, I would be honored to serve on the Standards Panel because I believe every member deserves to feel heard, respected, and safe sharing their perspective. A strong community is built through fairness, kindness, and the willingness to listen—even when opinions differ. Professionally, I’ve spent more than 30 years in telecommunications, where conflict resolution, communication, and staying calm under pressure are part of my everyday work. I also served as President of a national 501(c)(4) organization with thousands of members across the United States, giving me experience balancing diverse viewpoints while making fair and thoughtful decisions. I believe fairness begins with self-reflection and objectivity. Passion is one of the things that makes the Dirigo Union special, and I think it’s important to recognize that passion isn’t the same as negativity. A neutral, respectful approach can help people find common ground and move toward positive resolutions. I was introduced to Hearts of Pine under some of its most stressful circumstances, helping ensure the club’s first nationally televised home match went off without a hitch. What began as a high-pressure professional responsibility quickly became something much more. I stayed because of the kindness, friendships, and sense of belonging I found within the Hearts organization and the Dirigo Union. I would bring a calm presence, a collaborative mindset, and a genuine love for this community to the Standards Panel.