Code of Conduct​

The Collaborative Technology Alliance brings together a community of technologists from around the world. It is a space inclusive of persons of all backgrounds, orientations and identities. Dialogue, mutual respect and sharing are at the foundation of the CTA community and we expect all participants to follow these values. These guidelines help us establish collective trust and engage in productive deliberation.

Safety and comfort are our priority. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. If you have questions or concerns at any point before, during or after CTA convenings, contact us at stewards@collaborative.tech, or during an event contact one of the event hosts.

We believe that it takes courage to report cases of harassment, and we salute that courage. We also understand that people at risk, including victims of harassment, often are in a less privileged position than the person conducting the harassment, and face more barriers to speaking out, including social stigma. We commit to continually improving our support for survivors and efforts to prevent future harms.

These guidelines apply to all spaces, real and virtual, during all CTA convenings.

Expected Behavior

01. Respect

All participants and CTA stewards should strive to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, and religion.

Respect the privacy, both physical and digital, of others.

Follow the Chatham House Rule when mentioned:
“When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”

02. Collaboration

Be open to new ideas and learning from others–we are stronger when we share.

In moments of strong disagreement, we ask participants to “agree to disagree,” stay focused on the goals of the session or discussion, and move on to address shared needs and shared opportunities.

We encourage all present to make it a point where possible to talk to strangers and those you know less well, as they are hopefully friends you have not yet met.

03. Inclusion

When in doubt, reach out! We all have different perspectives that can help each other in worthwhile and unexpected ways.

In this spirit, avoid jargon, acronyms and complicated phrasing whenever possible.

Everyone at CTA events should feel included and it is to everyone’s advantage to be mindful and productively engaged with people from a variety of cultural contexts, communities and regions.

Follow the “Rule of 1” and the “Rule of n”: When you speak, make 1 point and then let others speak, and when in a group of “n” people, speak “1/nth” of the time.

04. Communication

When listening to input and comments of others, start by assuming the most benign interpretation and the best intention of the speaker. If a comment is phased in a way that might be misinterpreted, ask for clarification of the statement or intent. If the comment is discomforting (or hostile), please reach out to a CTA steward.

Whether in convening or in informal conversation, be mindful not to interrupt others. Listen actively and others will return in kind.

Avoid grandstanding whenever possible and allow others to participate. The more concise and relatable your point is, the greater impact it will have on other participants.

Unacceptable Behavior

We will not tolerate predatory behavior or disregard for other persons, either personally or professionally, from or towards anyone—be it speakers, stewards or participants.

We will not tolerate harassment in any form. Harassment is any verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate, silence, or coerce. Harassment includes but is not limited to:

  • Offensive or unwelcome comments, including epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, and discriminatory remarks disguised as humor, based on gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or physical appearance;

  • Distribution, display, or discussion of written or graphic material that ridicules, insults, or shows hostility or disrespecttoward an individual or group because of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or physical appearance;

  • Deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent;

  • Deliberate misgendering or use of rejected names;

  • Intimidation or silencing, including sustained and deliberate disruption of discussion;

  • Threats of violence or incitement of violence, including encouraging a person to commit suicide or to engage in self-harm;

  • Stalking or following, including repeated one-on-one communication despite requests to cease, continued communications with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm, unwanted photography or recording, and tracking and logging online activity without consent;

  • Failure to safeguard confidential or privately shared information, including publication of private communication without consent;

  • Unwelcome sexual attention, including innuendoes, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, lewd remarks and obscene gestures, and requests for sexual favors (including repeated and unwelcome requests for dates);

  • Distribution, display, or discussion of any sexually suggestive written or graphic material, including emails, photos, text messages, and tweets, that is gratuitous, off-topic, or shows hostility or disrespect toward an individual or group;

  • Unwelcome physical contact including inappropriate touching, tickling, pinching, petting, brushing up against, hugging, cornering, kissing, fondling, and forced sexual intercourse or assault.

  • Attempts at intimidation, retaliation or retribution to someone who has

    1. Filed or responded to a report of discrimination or harassment.

    2. Appeared as a witness in the processing of a report.

    3. Served as a coordinator of a report.

  • Encourage, support or assist violations of this Code of Conduct

If you are being harassed, you notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a CTA steward or use prudence and attempt to mitigate the action yourself. Do not resort to physical contact except in self defense.

Those who violate our code of conduct may be warned, sanctioned, or removed at the discretion of the stewards.

Raising Issues

If you believe you‘re experiencing practices at a CTA convening that do not meet our Code of Conduct guidelines, or if you feel you are being harassed in any way, please immediately contact a steward or email stewards@collaborative.tech

The CTA stewards reserve the right to remove people from shared spaced for violating these policies.

This document borrows from:

  • https://getdweb.net/code-of-conduct/

  • https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/governance/policies/participation/