West Bengal Wikimedians/Code of Conduct

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Code of Conduct

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 WBG.

Diversity Statement

We seek to treat everyone as fairly and equally as possible. 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, socio-economic status, and technical ability. We will not tolerate discrimination based on any of the protected characteristics above, including participants with disabilities.

Values we hold

The Wikimedia 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 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 personal space and privacy of all members
• Respect all speakers and raise questions without interrupting others and the flow of the program.
• Express discomfort if you and yourself in an uncomfortable environment or conversation.
• Point out or report harassment, discrimination, or personal attacks when it happens to the Support and Safety team. (Details about the team will be shared at the orientation)

Don'ts

• Commit harassment or discrimination or engage in unacceptable behavior in any forms (see section on unacceptable behavior and how to report it).
• 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 ignore their questions. (Let everyone have the chance to talk)
• Waste resources, be it food, electricity, paper, etc. Avoid using too much plastic. Let’s use biodegradable materials.
• Force members to participate in activities or conversation they do not wish to join or continue.
• Smoke and consume alcohol on the conference premises (including inside the event room, hotel rooms and corridor). Let us not make others feel uncomfortable.

Unacceptable behavior and how to report it

Harassment and other types of inappropriate behavior are unacceptable in all public and private Wikimedia related spaces. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Personal attacks, violence, threats of violence, or deliberate intimidation.
• Offensive, derogatory, or discriminatory comments.
• Gratuitous or off-topic use of sexual language or imagery.
• Inappropriate or unwanted attention, touching, or physical contact (sexual or otherwise).
• Inappropriate or unwanted public or private communication, following, or any form of stalking.
• Unwanted photography or recording.
• Disclosure of a person's identity or other private information without their consent.
• Disclosure of some identifying information is not consent to disclose other identifying information.
• Inappropriate or unwanted publication of private communication. Publishing or reporting private communication or personally identifying information for the purposes of reporting harassment (as explained here) and/or in the case of whistle blowing, is acceptable.
• Harming the discussion or community with methods such as sustained disruption, interruption, or blocking of community collaboration (i.e. trolling).
• Discrimination, particularly against marginalized and otherwise underrepresented groups.
• Targeted outreach to such groups is allowed and encouraged.
• Using the code of conduct system for purposes other than reporting genuine violations of the code of conduct (e.g., retaliating against a reporter or victim by filing a report claiming their response was harassment).
• Attempting to circumvent a decision of the support and safety team e.g. unblocking someone during a period the team banned them.

How to report an issue

People who experience or observe unacceptable behavior by Representative members of the user group, are encouraged to follow any of these steps:

• Ask the person who is behaving unacceptably to stop. Make them aware of this Code of Conduct.
• Report the problem directly to the Representative Committee members, who will follow Article 25.7 of the Bylaws of the user group and hear them.
• If you feel, the Representative Committee members have not heard your concern, you can then complain to Trust and Safety team of Wikimedia Foundation.
• You can also send feedback anonymously.