Many people of the hack613 community indicated they were interested in having a code of conduct. So here it is! Yay!
If you have any questions or a concerns discuss in our online community, our meetups or contact one of our trustees.
Purpose
Create an environment where people and projects thrive. We are here to learn, share, and create!
Make guests, visitors and regulars feel welcome. People should feel comfortable asking questions, trying new things and making mistakes. We want to be inclusive, diversified and free of intimidation and harassment.
Scope
Focus on what we value rather than rules. This document is for the meetups and particularly when there are new people/guests. Laws are obvious but this is a collection of reminders and some procedures for our group.
Etiquette Check List
RSVP to events. This makes it easier for volunteers and organizers. Also if the location gets changed last minute there’ll be less confusion.
Greet new people. Wear your name tag. There may be a core that know each other but it makes it easier for newcomers.
Online events: Have your name in your profile. Try and greet people as they come online. If you come to an organised event late and somebody is doing a presentation, consider greeting people in the chat window.
Chairs: Some venues have extra chairs we need to fetch. When you arrive if you notice there isn’t enough chairs, please fetch one and then return it to the stack when done. Our hosts are not servers. 🙂
Use of table space: Please bring projects to share and discuss. If you bring a lot of things, try not to use the shared table space to store stuff that you’re not using. It gets a bit awkward if everybody just tosses a huge knapsack, a coat and a large box on the table and it can crowd people out.
Litter: Whatever you get up to please don’t leave a mess. Litter, food containers create work for others.
Conversation styles: Consider what mode people are in. Some people like to banter back and forth like ping pong, others like pauses in-between. Patience is often better than interrupting. If you want to talk continuously or hog bandwidth consider that some people may not want to lend their ear. Try not to be too clingy, this is social for others too, people may want to rotate and speak to different people.
Giving feedback and ideas: That’s what we’re about but use some care. Ask permission to give review and be careful of too many “you-shoulds”. Consider an opening like “Would you be open to hearing about some other approaches…” or “Can you explain why you chose A rather than B?”.
A meetup is not a help desk: An important function of our meetups is to share and support but that doesn’t mean you’re entitled to have someone fix what you have on some arbitrary timeline. If you have a commercial project that is welcome but you may need to work the room a little find somebody to negotiate properly with. You may need to attend regularly to make the connections you need to get commercial work done.
Kids that require supervision: If you bring kids please you need to supervise them (we’re not a daycare). We welcome kids who’s parents are present. On the other hand, if you are a kid that wants to come and don’t have a guardian, please contact us so we can make sure appropriate exceptions are made (ahead of time).
Bad content: Avoid accidental and deliberate harassment and discrimination (race, age, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, ability, physical appearance, body characteristics, race, creed, religion). Avoid talking behind people’s backs.
Offer to help host meetups.
If you are offended: Get clarification and speak out.
If you think someone else is offended: Check in with the person you think is offended. There could be prior context and they may be comfortable. Encourage them to speak up. Speak up yourself.
Hack613 reserves the right to summarily eject you if you recklessly endanger others, act in violation of the code outlined above, or otherwise behave poorly.