Code of Conduct

Purpose

A primary goal of the CNIE-RCIÉ Conference is to be inclusive to the largest number of contributors, with the most varied and diverse backgrounds possible. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, ability, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status and religion (or lack thereof).

This code of conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in the conference, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behaviour. We invite all those who participate in the CNIE-RCIÉ Conference to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.

Community citizenship

A supplemental goal of this Code of Conduct is to increase citizenship in the CNIE-RCIÉ community by encouraging participants to recognize and strengthen the relationships between our actions and their effects on our community.

Communities mirror the societies in which they exist, and positive action is essential to counteract the many forms of inequality and abuses of power that exist in society. If you see someone who is making an extra effort to ensure our community is welcoming, friendly and fully encourages all participants to contribute, we want to know.

Expected behaviour

• Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of this community.
• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Our desire is to foster a collaborative environment where conflicts may arise. We anticipate participants will attempt to resolve these in productive and generous ways with one another.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behaviour and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct—even if they seem inconsequential.

‏Unacceptable behaviour

Unacceptable behaviours include: intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech or actions by any participant in our community online, at all related events and in one-on-one communications carried out in the context of community business.

CNIE-RCIÉ Conference event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.

Harassment includes: harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments related to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, race, religion, age, disability; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides or on desktops); deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; photographing or recording without consent; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Consequences of unacceptable behaviour

Unacceptable behaviour from any CNIE-RCIÉ Conference participant, including sponsors and those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated.

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
If a conference participant engages in unacceptable behaviour, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the conference without warning (and without refund in the case of a paid event).

If you witness or are subject to unacceptable behaviour

If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behaviour, or have any other concerns, please notify Afsaneh Sharif (afsaneh.sharif@ubc.ca) or Michael Dabrowski (dabrowsk@athabascau.ca) as soon as possible. The organizers will work with the participant engaging in the unacceptable behaviour to either correct the situation or end their participation in the conference.

Additionally, conference organizers are available to help participants engage with local law enforcement or to otherwise help those experiencing unacceptable behaviour feel safe. In the context of in-person events, organizers will also provide escorts as desired by the person experiencing distress.

Addressing grievances

If you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct, you should notify conference organizers with a concise description of your grievance.

‏Scope

We expect all conference participants (contributors, paid or otherwise; sponsors; and other guests) to abide by this Code of Conduct in all community venues—online and in-person—and in all one-on-one communications pertaining to community business.

‏Contact info

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License and attribution
This Code of Conduct is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license and was adapted from https://openedconference.org/2017/code-of-conduct/ by Audrey Watters and David Wiley.