PURPOSE
A primary goal of the Counsel Collective is to be an inclusive community with the largest number of contributors, representing many various and diverse backgrounds as possible. We are committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
This Code of Conduct explains our expectations for all those who participate in the Counsel Collective community, online coworking space, and Counsel Collective events and programming, and the consequences for unacceptable behavior. We want to ensure that everyone has a good experience being part of Counsel Collective.
We know that most people who are members of Counsel Collective are good people who wear their grownup pants and are respectful of others, so these guidelines may seem obvious. Still, we want to be clear about the expectations for Counsel Collective. Every Counsel Collective member should feel like their voice can be heard, but not at the expense of someone else.
We invite all those who participate in the Counsel Collective to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.
SCOPE
We expect all community participants (including, but not limited to, Counsel Collective staff and presenters, contributors, contributors, sponsors, or other guests) to abide by this Code of Conduct in all community interactions. The Code of Conduct applies to all Counsel Collective activities, programming, and content, including Counsel Collective community forums and groups, online coworking space, and Counsel Collective events.
EXPECTATIONS
These are the behaviors are expected and requested of all community members:
- Active participation in an authentic way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of this community.
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
- Attempt collaboration before conflict.
- Do not demean, discriminatory, or harassing behavior 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.
- Be understanding of differences. With diversity, we find strength.
- Be professional. Treat fellow members as you would want someone you value to treat you. But always treat them with respect.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR
These are examples of behaviors considered harassment and are unacceptable within our community:
- Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person or entity;
- Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise discriminatory jokes or language;
- We don’t have a dress code, but you must not show up to events nude or inappropriate way (consider wearing something you wear when meeting a friend or colleague);
- Posting or making flirtatious inappropriate comments;
- Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material;
- Posting or threatening to post other people’s identifying information (aka doxing);
- Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability;
- Attempting to impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with any individual, group, or entity; or
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
NO SELLING/PITCHING
Selling or self-promotion are not allowed. Focus on sharing your expertise, knowledge, and guidance.
Please don’t use images for self-promotion as your profile pictures or cover photos.
You are welcome to display links to your website and work in your profile, and can share links to your web pages when asking for help or feedback or to show what you’re working on – just not as a pitch for people to buy your products or join your membership. If people contact you directly through the Counsel Collective community or ask for details because they are actively interested, that is fine.
Last, we have a firm ‘no affiliate links’ rule for the forum as it becomes hard to manage and we don’t want this space to become a battle for affiliate clicks. If we believe that members are overtly marketing or spamming the community, their posts will be removed, and they will receive a warning. If the behaviour continues, they will be removed.
CONSEQUENCES OF UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
Unacceptable behavior from any community member, including sponsors and those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated. We may take several steps, including issuing a warning, removing the content, or removing the accounts or people responsible. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately and is expected to adhere to Code of Conduct in all future interactions with our community. Failure to do so may cause a temporary ban or permanent expulsion, without further notice.
If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify a community organizer as soon as possible at report@counselcollective.co.
REPORTING GUIDELINES
If you believe someone is violating the Code of Conduct, please report it to the Counsel Collective team by emailing report@counselcollective.co We will make every reasonable effort to keep your report confidential.
In the event it is determined we need to address the matter publicly; we will attempt to maintain the confidentiality of all parties involved unless those individuals instruct us otherwise.
If you are unsure whether the incident is a violation, we encourage you to still report it! We strive to provide a safe environment and rather have a few extra reports where we take no action, rather than miss a report of an actual violation. We do not look negatively on you if we find the incident is not a violation. Utilizing these reports, we can improve on our Code of Conduct and continue to provide the Counsel Collective Community with the best possible environment.
When making a report, please include:
• Your contact information;
• Names (real, nicknames, or pseudonyms) of all individuals involved. If there were other witnesses besides you, please try to include them as well;
• Specific details surrounding the incident, including when and where the incident occurred;
• If there is a publicly available record (e.g. a forum archive, screen shots, e or a public IRC logger) please include a link.
• Any information related to the incident;
• If you believe this incident is ongoing.
• Any other information you believe we should have.
What happens after you file a report?
You will receive an email from Counsel Collective with an acknowledgment receipt. Once we have a complete account of the events we will decide as to how to respond.
Once we’ve determined our final action, we’ll contact the original reporter to let them know what action (if any) we’ll be taking.
Remember. Be cool!