CIS-A2K/Events/Code of conduct

This is a finalized version of the Code of Conduct & Friendly Space Policies (CoCFSP) for the Train the Trainer (TTT) and MediaWiki Training (MWT) events 2017 organized by CIS-A2K.

This page in a nutshell: Treat each other as how you would like to be treated. The Wikipedian community (and beyond) should be a space of respecting and valuing diversity of background, identity, expertise, and opinions. Any kinds of discrimination, harassment, or personal attack are strictly prohibited in the TTT and WMT 2017.

Objective

The Code of Conduct & Friendly Space Policy (CoCFSP) aims at ensuring friendly interaction and a non-discriminatory environment for all participants and actors in the events conducted by CIS-A2K.

Diversity statement

We encourage everyone to participate and are committed to building a community for all during and beyond the TTT and MWT 2017 events. We seek to treat everyone both as fairly and equally as possible. Whenever a participant has made a mistake, we expect them to take responsibility for it. If someone has been harmed or offended, it is our responsibility to listen carefully and respectfully, and do our best to right the wrong.
Although this list cannot be exhaustive, we explicitly honor diversity in age, gender, gender identity or expression, culture, ethnicity, language, national origin, political beliefs, profession, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and technical ability. We will not tolerate discrimination based on any of the protected characteristics above, including participants with disabilities.

Scope

Target group

This CoCFSP applies to all participants, organizers, sponsors, venue staffs, and speakers of the TTT and MWT 2017 events held by CIS-A2K.

Duration

The implementation commences from the pre-event to any post-event activities associated with TTT and WMT 2017.

Location

There is no geographic boundary of where this policy can or cannot be implemented. One must follow the policy for the whole duration of the event, regardless of one's geographic location - the event venue, accommodation, or excursion location (if any). Those who participate in the event remotely or interact with each other through digital communication technology (email, Skype, social media, etc.) have to follow same policy.

Values we hold

The Wikipedian community strives to

Create a friendly and welcoming environment for all. This includes participants of all races, genders, sexual orientation, religions, nationalities, experience, social and economic class, castes, political standpoints, sizes, and mental/physical ability.
Show open-mindedness and respect in collaboration. Our work and knowledge are open to all to make Wikipedias/Wikimedia projects better. Remember that people can and will build on your work and vice versa. When providing (and receiving) advice or criticism, be constructive, open-minded, and stay respectful. Conduct intellectual debates rather than personal attacks.
Remain professional, considerate, and stay sensitive. While it is very important to establish personal relationship with other members, let us not forget the professional attitude we ought to maintain in the community. Inappropriate and insensitive actions or words can harm other members and essentially us as a whole community.
Embrace diversity; understand disagreement. We all come from a different background and hold different beliefs. Disagreement can be inevitable sometimes in our casual and professional interactions. Keep in mind that the diversity of our community is an asset instead of a drawback. Be willing to listen and understand each other's viewpoints.
Show acceptance and patience. We all make mistakes and blaming each other doesn’t get us anywhere. Instead, focus on helping to resolve issues and learning from mistakes.

Do's

Be kind and polite. Assume good faith in each other.
Be patient and welcoming.
Embrace and appreciate the diversity and differences among each other.
Be careful and sensitive to your actions and words.
Be a good listener.
When disagreement or conflicts occur, discuss and resolve it in an open, civil, and respectful manner. Consult event organizers if needed.
Obtain participants' consent when taking pictures, videos, or posting anything on your social media.
Respect the speakers and raise questions without interrupting the flows of the program
Express discomfort if you find yourself in a uncomfortable environment or conversation.
Point out or report harassment, discrimination, or personal attack when it happens.
Forgive and forget.

Don'ts

Bully Free Zone

Commit harassment or discrimination in any forms (see Definition).
Directly or indirectly attack or maliciously criticize one's identity, appearance, beliefs, opinions, or behavior.
Talk over another member in a group conversation or deliberately ignoring their questions. (Let everyone have the chance to talk)
Waste resources, be it food, electricity, paper, etc.
Force members to participate in activities or conversation they do not wish to join or continue.

Definition

Please read through this section to understand what constitutes behaviors that will not be accepted during the events and in the communities. Please note that some definitions do overlap. Both online and offline, direct and indirect contexts are considered.

Harassment

Discrimination

Discrimination includes, but is not limited to the following actions:

Prejudicial treatment against an individual or group based on their actual or perceived membership in a certain group or social category (including one’s gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, body size, race, age, regional discrimination, economic class, and political or religious affiliation)
Unfair treatment against individuals or groups based on prejudice on people they are associated with
Restricting members of one group from opportunities or privileges that are available to another group (favoritism)
Statements that stereotype or impose faulty assumption towards certain groups
Tokenism towards certain groups
Using a non-communal language in discussions to deliberately exclude an individual or group from participation
Victimization
Any kinds of harassment

Personal Attack

Personal Attack includes, but is not limited to the following actions:

Racial, sexist, homophobic, ageist, religious, political, ethnic, national, sexual, or other epithets (such as against people with disabilities) directed against an individual or a group. Disagreement over what constitutes a religion, race, sexual orientation, or ethnicity is not a legitimate excuse.
Holding an argument that is rebutted by attacking the character, motive, or other attribute of the person making the argument, or persons associated with the argument, rather than attacking the substance of the argument itself (Ad hominem)
Using someone's affiliations as to dismiss or discredit their views—regardless of whether said affiliations are mainstream
Linking to external attacks, harassment, or other material, for the purpose of attacking another member
Comparing one to an infamous person of group
Accusations about personal behavior that lack evidence
Any kinds of threat

Exceptions

Our community prioritizes marginalized people’s safety over privileged people’s comfort. We will not act on complaints regarding:

"Reverse" -isms, including "reverse racism," "reverse sexism," and "cisphobia"
Reasonable communication of boundaries, such as “leave me alone,” “go away,” or “I’m not discussing this with you”
Refusal to explain or debate social justice concepts
Communicating in a "tone" you don’t find congenial
Criticizing racist, sexist, cissexist, or otherwise oppressive behavior or assumptions

Safe and positive space policy

Safe and Positive Space Policy (SPSP) refers to the rules to help marginalized groups and persons come together to communicate regarding their experiences with marginalization. In other words, it is to combat the continued silence as a reinforcement of one's under-privilege status.
Marginalization refers to the distance and mistreatment one experienced within the community due to his/her gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, body size, race, age, regional discrimination, caste, political or religious affiliation.

The SPSP implies that organizers welcome questions and request of assistance when a member expresses his/her discomfort in the community as a result of marginalization. For any inquires and concerns, please feel free to consult the Response Team members during the event.

Response team of TTT and MWT

Tito Dutta ( Email : tito cis-india.org)

Reporting and mechanism for resolution

We appreciate and value your attendance. However, we take incidences of harassment, discrimination, and personal attack very seriously. All members, including participants, organizers, sponsors, and venue staffs, can be subject to victims and violators.

Members who are asked to stop any of the unacceptable behavior are expected to comply immediately. Those who violate the CoCFSP may be sanctioned or expelled from the event(s) without reimbursement of any kind. Please note that the CIS-A2K team is able to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the events.

If you believe someone is violating the code of conduct (whether you are a direct victim or not) we request you to report it to the Response Team or any CIS-A2K members as soon as possible. You may reach the Response Team through the email provided in the above section if you do not wish to approach us in person. All reports will be kept confidential. In some cases we may determine if a public statement should be made. In such cases, the identities of all victims and reporters will remain confidential unless them instructed otherwise.

If you believe anyone is in physical danger, please notify appropriate law enforcement first. If you are unsure what law enforcement agency is appropriate, please contact the organizers immediately.

If you wish to report through email, please include the following information:

Your preferred contact means (so we can get in touch with you if we need to follow up)
When and where the incident occurred. Please be as specific as possible
Any evidence if applicable
Any other information you believe we should have
(Optional) Names of any individuals involved. If there were other witnesses besides you, please try to include them as well. If you do not know the individuals' names, please include some identifiable descriptions.
(Optional) Any extra context you believe existed for the incident.

The Response Team and organizers will take actions immediately after the receipt of your report. An acknowledgement of report receipt will reach you within 24 hours (latest). Once the response is determined and implemented, another notice will be given to the original reporter to indicate actions taken. Please respect the committee's decision and express any additional concerns if needed.

The organizing group will hold meeting to review the incident and determine:

Incidence details and evidence
Whether this event constitutes a code of conduct violation
Responsible person
Response necessary to address the issue, including but is not limited to
- No response (if determined it is not a Code of Conduct violation)
- A private meeting to the individual(s) involved
- A public announcement
- Change of programming of the event(s)
- Permanent or temporary expel of individual(s) from the event
- Legal actions
Any punishment if applicable

If the incidence reported is determined to be an ongoing behavior or major threat to physical safety, the organizers' immediate priority will be to protect victims involved.

Please note that all reports will be privately stored and reviewed after the TTT and MWT 2017 in order to help us improve future events.

Attribution and acknowledgement

This Code of Conduct and Friendly Space Policy is built upon and/or inspired by:
On Wiki:

Off-Wiki open source materials: