Mission

Mission Statement

To reduce violent crime by empowering citizens to protect themselves.

Values Statement

Our guiding philosophy and code of conduct

• We serve to develop people.
  
• We expect first-rate effort.
  
• We encourage self-reliance and community-orientation.

Code of Conduct

The set of rules to guide our behavior and decision-making at OSC.

• Answer questions plainly.
  • Do not boast. “War stories” and anecdotes are usually thinly-veiled bragging.
    
  • Do not overstate. Restrict certainty to facts you are certain of.
    
  • Do not get sidetracked or delayed. Politely cut short irrelevant or long statements.
• Treat others with respect, and expect respect in return.
  • Avoid sarcasm. Sarcasm is the essence of disrespect.
    
  • Show a sense of humor, but not at the expense of others. Be compassionate.
    
  • Praise in public, criticize in private. Handle disagreements privately.
• Be the “quiet professional.”
  • Show, don’t tell, whenever possible.
    
  • Silence is OK. Listen during breaks, and listen to answers.
    
  • Treat the training seriously, but yourself less so. Don’t be full of yourself.
    
  • Avoid any appearance of impropriety. Keep some formality.
• Be reliable.
  • Do what you say you’re going to do.
    
  • Encourage participants to help and counsel each other.
    
  • Keep operations transparent. Don’t bury mistakes or hide records.
    
  • Praise for actual accomplishments. Don’t give out empty praise.

Organizational Structure

Our Safer Community (OSC) is a Texas non-profit corporation, chartered in 2007, providing educational services to adults in Texas communities. The education is provided through specially-designed curricula composed of class modules and taught to qualifying community members by OSC instructors. The website (www.oursafercommunity.com) was established in 2007. We are currently applying for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.