Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

A primary goal of the App Development Club at the University of Washington is to be inclusive to the largest number of community members, 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 age, body size, personal appearance, visible or invisible disability, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex characteristics, gender identity and expression, sexual identity and orientation, socio-economic status, ability, level of experience, education, and religion (or lack thereof).

This code of conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in our community, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior.

We invite all those who participate in App Development Club to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.

2. Open [Source/Culture/Tech] Citizenship

A supplemental goal of this Code of Conduct is to increase open [source/culture/tech] citizenship 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 extra efforts to ensure our community is welcoming, friendly, and encourages all participants to contribute to the fullest extent, please let us know as well.

3. Expected Behavior

The following behaviors are expected and requested of all community members:

• Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of this community.
• Be respectful of differing opinions, viewpoints, and experiences.
• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Attempt collaboration before conflict.
• Focus on what is best not just for us as individuals, but for the overall community.
• Give and gracefully accept constructive feedback.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
• Accept responsibility and apologize to those affected by mistake, and learn from the experience.
• 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.
• Remember that community event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.

4. Unacceptable Behavior

The following behaviors are considered harassment and are unacceptable within our community:

• Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
• Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.
• Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.
• Posting or threatening to post other people’s personally identifying information (“doxing”).
• Discrimination and/or personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.
• Inappropriate photography or recording.
• Inappropriate physical contact. You should have someone’s consent before touching them.
• Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping, and unwelcomed sexual advances.
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in person).
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
• Sustained disruption of community events, including talks and presentations.
• Publishing others’ private information–such as a physical or email address, phone number, etc.–without their explicit permission.
• Non-forceful reactions to any discharge of expression (including but not limited to frowning at the expresser and expressing general disapproval are not entirely constructive to a welcoming atmosphere, but nonetheless shall also NOT be forcefully restricted to uphold the freedom of expression of all).

5. Armed Aggression and Hostility with Weapons Policy

To maintain an environment with minimal armed aggression and hostility, no weapons or armaments will be allowed at App Development Club events, community spaces, or in other spaces covered by the scope of this Code of Conduct. Weapons and armaments include but are not limited to projectile weapons and armaments (firearms, pneumatic arms, bows, and crossbows, etc.) explosives (including fireworks), and large knives such as those used for hunting or display, as well as any other item used for the purpose of causing injury or harm to others. Anyone seen in possession of one of these items will be asked to leave immediately, and will only be allowed to return unarmed without any weapon. Community members are further expected to comply with all state and local laws on this matter.

6. Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior from any community member, including sponsors and those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated.

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.

If a community member engages in unacceptable behavior, the community organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the community without warning (and without refund in the case of a paid event).

7. Reporting Guidelines

If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify a community organizer as soon as possible, by emailing appdev@uw.edu or private message a @Board Member on Discord. Your information will be kept confidential except for the @Board Member you disclosed to/contacted, and only relevant information (which never includes any identifiable information) are shared with other @Board Members if absolutely necessary.

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

8. Addressing Grievances

If you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct, you should notify the community organizers with a concise description of your grievance. Your grievance will be handled in accordance with our existing governing policies.

9. Scope

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

This code of conduct and its related procedures also apply to unacceptable behavior occurring outside the scope of community activities when such behavior has the potential to adversely affect the safety and well-being of community members.

10. Contact Info

appdev@uw.edu

11. License and Attribution

The Citizen Code of Conduct is distributed by Stumptown Syndicate under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license.

Portions of text derived from the Django Code of Conduct and the Geek Feminism Anti-Harassment Policy.

Revision 2.3. Posted 6 March 2017.

Revision 2.2. Posted 4 February 2016.

Revision 2.1. Posted 23 June 2014.

Revision 2.0, adopted by the Stumptown Syndicate board on 10 January 2013. Posted 17 March 2013.