Constant Code of Conduct
https://lamutinerie.eu/#plan
We are aiming to create a space that is as welcoming and inclusive as we can. We refuse to ignore the racism, sexism, transphobia and classism that are at work even within our communities, and our goal is to generate a space within which they can be collectively addressed and fought.
https://lereset.org/charte.html
Mothers and daughters, allyship
https://www.guidetoallyship.com/
https://github.com/almnt/guide-to-allyship
Organizers + participants commitment
This commitment is based on an example that was used in a workshop on intersectionality and
algorithmic discrimination: http://www.lorentzcenter.nl/lc/web/2017/946/info.php3?wsid=946
We respect the dignity, experiences, and perspectives of the communities impacted by
the optimization systems that we are discussing into this workshop.
We recognize the problematic effects of systemic optimization but also that not all
populations and communities are impacted equally. In fact some are likely to benefit
economically, socially, or otherwise, while others are suffering from these systems.
We respect the dignity, experiences, and perspectives of each workshop participant.
We recognize multiple forms of evidence for the way optimization operates and for its
effects.
We are cognizant of the role power plays in shaping how we inhabit rooms, and speak
up and shape urgencies or commit to challenge unjust existing power structures such
as (but absolutely not limited to): sexism, racism, and transphobia.
We affirm the value of asking questions and requesting clarification. We also
understand that not all questions are OK, or need answering.
A separate safe space will be provided by the organisers.
RESEARCH FOR THE ARTICLE (2018)
http://engagementarts.be/en
https://www.contributor-covenant.org/ Contributor Convenant
https://postmeritocracy.org
https://compassionatecoder.com/sample/
https://gendersec.tacticaltech.org/wiki/index.php/Step_2#Codes_of_conduct
E X A M P L E S
http://todogroup.org/opencodeofconduct/ (companies)
https://www.ubuntu.com/community/code-of-conduct (oldest, no sanctions) == https://github.com/The-Feminist-Software-Foundation/opencodeofconduct
T I M E L I N E
1990s surge of business Codes of conduct
2004 (?): Ubuntu code of conduct 'One of the key innovations that Ubuntu pioneered in free software communities is the use of a Code of Conduct.' https://www.ubuntu.com/community/code-of-conduct [what made this happen?]
Mako Hill https://mako.cc/copyrighteous/updating-the-ubuntu-code-of-conduct 'Over lunch of what was my literally first day working on Ubuntu, I wrote a draft of code of conduct that was essentially the version that Ubuntu has used until today.'
rationale of the changes to version 1.1: http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~mako/ubuntu-codeofconduct/proposed-revision/annotate/head%3A/rationale.txt
'As the original author of the Code of Conduct and of most of Ubuntu's core philosophical and community documents, I see my role on the council as protecting the values that Ubuntu has stood for: (a) empowerment of our users through free software philosophy and open source methods; (b) empowerment of our contributors through the strong community that is the secret to our success; (b) uncompromising excellence in the products and services our community offers; (c) humanity toward others in all that we do. '
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BenjaminMakoHill
This is not a democracy, it's a meritocracy. We try to operate more on consensus than on votes, seeking agreement from the people who will have to do the work. Mark Shuttleworth, as self-appointed benevolent dictator for life (SABDFL), plays the happily undemocratic role of sponsor to the project https://www.ubuntu.com/community/governance
2012: Python code of conduct https://pyfound.blogspot.be/2013/06/announcing-code-of-conduct-for-use-by.html
'All Python conferences and related events create and apply a Code of Conduct. Without a code in place, the Foundation will not fund the event.' http://pyfound.blogspot.be/2012/12/psf-moves-to-require-code-of-conduct.html
2014: LGM code of conduct
2015: Linux kernel Code of conflict https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/process/code-of-conflict.html
The analysis is informed by the work of the legal theorist Robert Cover, who examines the ways that “jurisgenesis,” the production and stabilization of inhabited normative meanings, requires an ongoing and sometimes conflicting interpretation of codified textual norms. “Some small and private, others immense and public,” these continual acts of reinterpretation and commitment establish what Cover (1993, 95) calls a nomos:
We inhabit a nomos—a normative universe. We constantly create and maintain a world of right and wrong, of lawful and unlawful. [ … ] No set of legal institutions or prescriptions exists apart from the narratives that locate it and give it meaning. For every constitution there is an epic, for each decalogue a scripture. Once understood in the context of the narratives that give it meaning, law becomes not merely a system of rules to be observed, but a world in which we live.
Gabrielle Coleman, coding for freedom
“Social Contract” with the Free Software Community
Debian Will Remain 100% Free Software
We promise to keep the Debian GNU/Linux Distribution entirely free software. As there are many definitions of free software, we include the guidelines we use to determine if software is “free” below. We will support our users who develop and run non-free software on Debian, but we will never make the system depend on an item of non-free software.
We Will Give Back to the Free Software Community
When we write new components of the Debian system, we will license them as free software. We will make the best system we can, so that free software will be widely distributed and used. We will feed back bug-fixes, improvements, user requests, etc. to the “upstream” authors of software included in our system.
We Won’t Hide Problems
We will keep our entire bug-report database open for public view at all times. Reports that users file on-line will immediately become visible to others.
Our Priorities Are Our Users and Free Software
We will be guided by the needs of our users and the free-software community.
We will place their interests first in our priorities. We will support the needs of our users for operation in many different kinds of computing environment. We won’t object to commercial software that is intended to run on Debian systems, and we’ll allow others to create value-added distributions containing both Debian and commercial software, without any fee from us. To support these goals, we will provide an integrated system of high-quality, 100% free software, with no legal restrictions that would prevent these kinds of use.
Programs That Don’t Meet Our Free-Software Standards
We acknowledge that some of our users require the use of programs that don’t conform to the Debian Free Software Guidelines. We have created “contrib.” and “non-free” areas in our FTP archive for this software. The software in these directories is not part of the Debian system, although it has been configured for use with Debian. We encourage CD manufacturers to read the licenses of software packages in these directories and determine if they can distribute that software on their CDs. Thus, although non-free software isn’t a part of Debian, we support its use, and we provide infrastructure (such as our bug-tracking system and mailing lists) for non-free software packages.
concern troll
Cornelia Sollfrank:
This is what also has been called a “(re)politization of the use, design and development of technology for feminist and social justice purposes” by the organizers of the TransHackFeminist Event in 2014 in Spain.33 This loose context that is organized through different mailing lists promotes and practices various tactics and strategies, ranging from queer-trans-feminist hacker spaces to hackathons and crypto parties, and has also collectively authored an extremely comprehensive manual that brings together the expertise of a diverse community of activists from around the world.34 The authors provide detailed technical knowledge, but also stress the importance of political consciousness raising, collective action, and solidarity. Core strategies that are discussed and applied are the formulation and implementation of codes of conduct for mixed environments, and the establishment of safe spaces.35
https://transmediale.de/de/node/31204
Tactical Tech Collective manual on Codes of conduct ??
https://www.genderit.org/articles/columna-your-presence-political-statement-story-coraline-ada
"As media practitioners and institutions, independent code of ethics that specifically addresses gender issues within this field can be developed and implemented. There are already media codes of ethics in existence in the Asia region, such as Malaysia’s Canons of Journalism, Singapore Journalists' Code of Professional Conduct and South Korea’s Press Ethics Code. These codes can be further honed to ensure that sexist and stereotyped coverage of women are considered ethically unacceptable within the industry. Self-regulatory mechanisms such as adoption of sexual harassment policies within media institutions can dismantle one of the real obstacles that hinder women’s full participation in media."
https://www.genderit.org/articles/women-gender-media
"Cyberbulling, in contrast to grooming, may be engaged in by children as well as adults, which shows that children also may need to be protected from each other and hence require a code of conduct for online interaction. With respect to technology-induced stress levels, yet again, it is hard to see how filtering could have any kind of impact, unless it makes the content available over the interent so bland that children have no interest to pursue it any further and hence reduce their engagement with new media accordingly (this possibility was not explored as an option, of course 8-))."
https://www.genderit.org/feminist-talk/will-children-world-be-safe-soon-notes-day-one
Safe space / geek feminism
Github firing Tom Preston-Werner, another case in the Python community, and Tor distancing themselves from Jake Applebaum.
This is mixed with less mediated and close-to home experiences in communities that I am/was involved in myself.
http://conversations.e-flux.com/t/some-points-to-consider-if-youre-an-artist-who-wants-to-make-work-about-refugees/2716/2
F as in Freedom Codes of Conduct & Community Guidelines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAY6lkDDFHY
Open Code of Conduct https://github.com/The-Feminist-Software-Foundation/opencodeofconduct
"It has been suggested that Company code of conduct be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2017."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_conduct [no mention of feminist ones]
anti-feminism, #metoo
"code of conduct that might prevent sexual harassment"
"from guidelines on using inclusive language in presentations to requirements that attendees wear name tags at all events, even after hours, to deter misconduct."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath
Affirmative ethics -- Rosi Braidotti
Staying with the trouble -- Donna Haraway
Code of Ethics & Standards of Professional Conduct
"A Code of Conduct is a written collection of the rules, principles, values, and employee expectations, behavior, and relationships that an organization considers significant and believes are fundamental to their successful operation. A Code of Conduct enumerates those standards and values that make an organization remarkable and that enable it to stand out from similar organizations. The Code of Conduct is named by an organization to reflect the culture that is present in the organization and to make a statement."
Python Community Code of Conduct
https://www.python.org/psf/codeofconduct/
http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Code_of_conduct_evaluations
https://adainitiative.org/2014/02/18/howto-design-a-code-of-conduct-for-your-community/
4 year later, how is it going?
The rules of Witches Town https://witches.town/about
"There is no such thing as a safe space. We exist in the real world and we all carry scars and have caused wounds. This space seeks to turn down the volume of the world outside and amplify the voices that have to fight to be heard elsewhere. This space will not be perfect. It will not always be what we wish it to be, but it will be ours together and we will work on it side by side."
#nsfw ...
Safe Space [see Alex Hache] "infantilising students and possibly eroding free speech.[30] Frank Furedi of the Los Angeles Times and Candace Russell of HuffPost have similarly stated that safe spaces contribute to echo chambers surrounded by like minded people, insulating those inside said chambers from hostile or negative speech.[31][32] The Atlantic reported in 2016 that safe spaces were considered by some to be re-segregation.[33]"
Ada initiative guidelines for 'good' codes of conduct
- List specific common behaviors that are not okay
- Include detailed directions for reporting violations
- Have a defined and documented complaint handling process
Lindsay, Sophia
http://nadiaeghbal.com/oss/
Debian social contract
https://tails.boum.org/contribute/working_together/social_contract/
Cards, Jara -- assemblies
Python vs LGM vs ...
Tyranny of structurelessness
[less women in floss than before ?]
https://www.talktospot.com/handbook
THF community agreement https://transhackfeminist.noblogs.org/community-agreement/
conduct
to behave or manage (oneself):
He conducted himself well.
to direct in action or course; manage; carry on:
to conduct a meeting; to conduct a test.
to direct (an orchestra, chorus, etc.) as leader.
to lead or guide; escort:
to conduct a tour.
to serve as a channel or medium for (heat, electricity, sound, etc.):
Copper conducts electricity.
self-governance
mission: how do we want to be
------------
(more news soon)
On 18/01/14 21:26, Pierre Huyghebaert wrote:
Hello all,
Some of us have seen it, there is a thread developing on the Create mailing list around the need or not of which Code of Conduct for LGM. Quite painful and interesting in the same time.
I've try to not dive into it, but it was unsuccessful and to try to understand it, I've compiled a condensed version of the thread 2013 an 2014*, subjective, where i've removed most of the things not needed to understand arguments.
This mail is probably not useful, the thread seems stalling now, and it's maybe better like that. Or do you see something to push?
Even if very different case of our Collaboration Agreement, a good exemple of situation where the formal/informal balance tend to explodes...
Pierre H
* if needed, see archives on http://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/create
--------------------------------------------------
Preparing LGM 2013 Madrid
Stani
07/12/2012
In case LGM asks for sponsorship from the Python Software Foundation, the policy has changed:
http://pyfound.blogspot.nl/2012/12/psf-moves-to-require-code-of-conduct.html
Femke Snelting
Wed Dec 12 2012
For some years we had support from the Python foundation for LGM (3000 euros). If we would manage to have their support again this year it would be an important contribution, both in money and network.
We can rework the application we did in 2010 http://ospublish.constantvzw.org/documents/LGM2010/dossiers/PSF_LGM.pdf
Are you OK with a Code of Conduct for LGM? http://pyfound.blogspot.nl/2012/12/psf-moves-to-require-code-of-conduct.html
ale rimoldi
Wed Dec 12 2012
TL;DR: if we write a code of conduct, please let's create a list of
positive behaviors we want to promote.
personally, i don't feel comfortable with a policy like the ones
presented by the python foundation.
while i agree that a software conference like ours should not be
sexualized or racist (among all the potential "exclusive" behaviors that
you can think of), i don't value a list like the one i read at
https://us.pycon.org/2012/codeofconduct/ .
from the experiences i have had at the LGM, i don't think we need a code
of conduct...
... but if we ever feel the need of such a paper (even just for formal
reason, like being able to apply for specific funds), i would welcome a
nice, friendly and positive code of conduct stressing which behaviors
make a good LGM.
not a list of possible negative things that almost never happened at the
lgm[1] and which are unlikely to happen in madrid (or disturb anybody
there).
[1] i'm not 100% sure of it, but i think that we already had very few
(or just one?) presentations with slightly sexist content... but if i
recall it correctly, the reaction from the attendance was more towards
making the presenter feeling uncomfortable, while nobody in the room was
really feeling harassed... so: probably a non issue.
Gregory Pittman
Wed Dec 12 2012
Yes, I agree. We might call it a Code of Respect, rather than a Code of
Conduct. One of the things we face in particular in the world of
graphics and design is that graphic art is sometimes about pushing
boundaries.
Dave Crossland
Wed Dec 12 2012
Would ampersandporn.com <http://ampersandporn.com> fail it?
--------------------------------------------------
Preparing LGM 2014 Leipzig
Louis Desjardins
14 Jan
Hi all,
I am asked by PSF if we have a Code of Conduct?
I am sure that at some point in time that question was raised among us but I can’t recall if we reached a consensus and if so where would that text be?
PSF could consider funding us but we’d need a published Code of Conduct.
A quick follow-up will be appreciated.
Thanks!
Andrew Chadwick
14 Jan
simplest to start with the CC0 one on GeekFeminism[1] suitably tailored, just like PyCon. A published
incident handling procedure like [2] would be a good idea too.
[0] http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/create/2012-December/004500.html
[1] http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Conference_anti-harassment/Policy
[2] https://us.pycon.org/2013/about/code-of-conduct/harassment-incidents/
[3] http://pyfound.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/psf-moves-to-require-code-of-conduct.html
[4] http://adainitiative.org/what-we-do/conference-policies/
Tobias Ellinghaus
14 Jan
§1 Behave
§2 Use common sense when dealing with others
§3 Learn from the reactions of others
Gregory Pittman
14 Jan
Personally, I would rather see language that talks of "respect" (a
positive term) rather than "anti-harrassment" (a negative term).
Andrew Chadwick
14 Jan
to take the GeekFeminism text and fit it to our needs, since the heavy
lifting has basically already been done
Michael Natterer
15 Jan
"use your brain, failure to do so will get you kicked out after one
warning, or immediately for serious misbehavior"
Hin-Tak Leung
15 Jan
treat others like how you would like to be treated
Tobias Ellinghaus
15 Jan
I don't know about you, but when I approach a group of people that have given
themselves rules like that my first thought would be "OMFG, do I really want to
get in touch with them? Terrible things must have happened there".
Dave Crossland
15 Jan
That attitude is a fine example of white male privilege.
I'm a white male, and I want to welcome people who are not like me. If they want a coc, we should give them one. If PSF wants one to give us money to find their travel to join us, all the better.
I think a coc also helps mitigate the tyranny of structurelessness.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tyranny_of_Structurelessness
Susan Spencer
15 Jan
Can LGM adopt the PSF policy
as a temporary measure?
http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Conference_anti-harassment/Policy
Then at LGM we can hold a BOF meeting
where results are posted
with additional paper for comments.
Results will be put forward to an
all-hands vote with amendments
welcomed from the floor.
Hin-Tak Leung
15 Jan
As one other commenter said, the statement is also a reflection of the
atmosphere expected, etc. I'd rather suggest one stay away from special
treatments, over-compensations, and sexual/racial/political extremisms.
You can't pull the 'white male privilege' card on me .
Gregory Pittman
15 Jan
"The Libre Graphics Meeting was established as and continues to be a conference open to all those who share an interest in FOSS graphics-related software. A facet of this openness is that we expect attendees and especially presenters to show the utmost respect for all others who attend and to avoid defamatory or derogatory remarks or actions against others strictly related to their views, their lifestyle choices, where they are from, or who they are.
The organizers invite anyone to inform the LGM organizers of any such disrespectful language or behavior they have experienced or witnessed, so that appropriate steps can be taken."
Dave Crossland
15 Jan
I suggest we ask the people who are minorities at the event if it or any other proposal is enough. You and I, as the white male majority, can't tell.
For dudes claiming this is unneccessary, do you know what it's like to have a public profile online, like you and I do, but as a female?
" In 2006, researchers from the University of Maryland set up a bunch of fake online accounts and then dispatched them into chat rooms. Accounts with feminine usernames incurred an average of 100 sexually explicit or threatening messages a day. Masculine names received 3.7."
http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/women-arent-welcome-internet-72170/
Susan Spencer
15 Jan
It seems this discussion is taking place
around three definition sets of heinous behaviors.
The 1st set contains injustices against groups
as described by Hin-tak (Hi Hin-tak! :D)
The 2nd set of heinous behaviors is contained
within the 1st set. It is the set of
injustices committed against women.
The 3rd set is within the 2nd, and is the set of injustices
which are committed against women
in the working place and in professional settings.
LGM is a professional setting.
Open source conferences historically have been places
where women are ostracized, insulted
and humiliated. Many, many women have gone
to open source conferences only to find that
they have wasted their time, money and effort.
These conferences should be events where their
career gains momentum, not where their career
is ruined.
The only reason that LGM is being asked
to have a CoC is to help erradicate behaviors
which have been shoving women to the back of the
professional line.
There are always people who constantly must
put others down in order to feel good about themselves.
A Code of Conduct is usually implemented to indicate that
insults and injuries should be dispensed *equally* against
women and men, such that there isn't a larger proportion
being aimed at women's ability to program, their intelligence,
their personalities, their <fillintheblank>, and that
lewd wisecracks aren't made which by definition
render women excluded from the group who laugh
at the 'joke'.
So when someone posts on this thread, it would
help me to know which set of heinous behaviors they
are addressing.
PSF is clearly concerned about the third smallest set,
which is the most critical in affecting the number
of women in the open source community.
LGM attendees have always followed the rules of polite society
so well that there has been no need to mention the rules.
But LGM is growing...
We can't eradicate stupid ridiculous behavior,
but we can at least join the effort to keep it from sweeping
the XXs out of the IT gene pool.
ale rimoldi
15 Jan
i'm comfortable with a code of conduct...
... but -- as other people also said -- i'd prefer to see only positive
points in there.
as an example, in the draft of Greg, i would remove -- or replace -- the
part after "avoid".
so: tell the people how you expect them to behave, not how they should
not behave.
Femke Snelting
15 Jan
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tyranny_of_Structurelessness
You saved the day Dave -- thank you for bringing up that reference
The short of it: I am for adopting the Python Code of conduct as-is (which is being developed and publicly discussed here by the way https://github.com/python/pycon-code-of-conduct ) and pick at the details of it's phrasing later.
It would be great if the Python foundation would decide to support LGM again and I am not afraid a Code of conduct will scare away tight pants, discussions around it, or anyone for that matter.
A publicly available statement about "how the organizers care about what happens to people at the conference and how welcome they feel" might bring some perspective to the tyranny of cluelessness that shows from this thread.
S.Kemter
15 Jan
You are aware that this brings trouble to me? Its not that simple we make an Code of Conduct and thats just our business. The university needs to agree to it and they will take that further away to the Ministery of Culture. Why because they have to be sure it breaks not german or/and saxonian laws. You open Pandoras Box here, well there are woman rights and minority rights touched so the "Gleichstellungsbeauftragte" has also to give his ok and there are some others with strange titles also.
Before you discuss any CoC for Leipzig, do me a favor go to the violations list and try to find german events on it.
http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/index.php?title=Timeline_of_incidents
Kai-Uwe
15 Jan
"That attitude is a fine example of white male privilege."
Dave, you base this label on sex and color. That is a example of apartheid and sexual discrimination.
Tobias, I am completely on your side, when it comes to your right to express your thoughts and feelings including in this thread and regardless of sex or color.
Louis Desjardins
15 Jan
In short, I fully agree adopting the Python Code of conduct as-is
In order to prevent elegantly any legal issues that could arise in any jurisdiction, I would suggest we add a very common sentence in legal texts that would simply state (my wording is a pure translation from French so please adapt it so it’s proper English): "If any of the forementioned rules violates any law in the hosting country, this particular rule will not be enforced or take effect, however this will not affect any other rule and by no mean would result in making void the entire CoC". Something like that. And this is really to be *very* cautious and is meant as a relevant response to the concerns that have been raised by Sirko. I believe a sentence like that, if at all needed, would take care of the case. But I am not a lawyer.
Gregory Pittman
15 Jan
The Short Version of their code seems close. I would leave out "Do not
insult or put down other attendees." As we know, we have a multiplicity
of languages at LGM, and while English is the dominant official language
there is variability in fluency in the audience. There are odd senses of
humor and some with "thin skins" sometimes, so offense can be taken as a
mistake or misunderstanding.
We're not in a position to refund (or not refund) the conference fee for
a free conference. The very idea of expelling someone from LGM is
problematic and creates its own issues.
So, trimmed down a bit, I think this could be a good working COC. Let's
stop short of trying to be the police or lawyers.
Dave Crossland
15 Jan
> That attitude is a fine example of white male privilege.
I'm happy to retract my statement, and say simply:
That attitude is a fine example of privilege.
I apologies if stating that I see the power inherent in my Tobias' race and gender was offensive for anyone.
Dave Crossland
15 Jan
I for one am completely ignorant of the rules around making a CoC at a German university under Saxon law, so I'm sorry that this involves a lot of extra work for you. I guess you can calculate the value of the effort against the (lack of) sponsorship funding for LGM, and the cash value of the PSF money.
S.Kemter
15 Jan
What we could do is simple to invite the "Gleichstellungsbeauftragten" I dont know how to translate that titel and if Equality Ombudsman is right for it to watch over us and we can surly ask him to help us for formulating an CoC for later events. I think nobody of us would be that firm as someone, who does nothing else then handle exactly what some here think an CoC would solve.
Gregory Pittman
15 Jan
Maybe there is some sort of code or rule that already
exists at Universität Leipzig which talks about behavior in
university-sponsored or authorized events...? If so, it may be that we
don't really need to create something new.
Gregory Pittman
15 Jan
Frankly, I think I would trust the Gleichstellungsbeauftragten more than
this geek feminism site. I don't mean this in a derogatory way, but only
to acknowledge the efforts Germany has made to codify fairness.
We certainly do not want to create a major stumbling block for LGM over
this issue.
Michael Natterer
15 Jan
> http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/women-arent-welcome-internet-72170/
I am aware that sadly all of that is very true, and there is
little doubt that larger conferences need a CoC.
What I'm uncomfortable with is the idea of "we have to get
a CoC in order to get funding", because that should really
not be the motivation for having one. Also, I think that
LGM doesn't actually need a CoC, it has the atmosphere of
a family meeting, not of a major event that involves a
degree of anonymity.
That said, I am not opposed to a CoC. All I'm saying is that
I feel very comfortable to be at an event where nothing
weird ever happened and where I'm not afraid that anything
will happen; therefore the idea of getting a CoC feels a bit
like trying to preemtively avoid criticism from whatever
fraction of political correctness.
Dave Crossland
15 Jan
I'm curious why you think cash isn't a good motivation for formality
You seen to imply that only conference size determines the need for a coc. Are there any other criteria you feel are relevant?
Minorities are requesting a coc independently if the PSF Funding, on this thread. That seems like the primary determinant of necessity to me, and cash is a very good secondary reason.
We are insiders, having been to almost all of these events, and if you read the Tyranny of Structurelessness, it's clear you and I are parts of overlapping elites - as defined in that essay.
LGM is a pretty major event in my eyes, corporate sponsors, hundreds of people, travel expenses paid, held around the world, many people there professionally on company time... I'm curious what would make it a major event in your eyes
That [does not] involves a degree of anonymity for you and me. If you are attending this year for the first time, having only participated in local events before, perhaps only those in Germanic, and interacting online only in Germanic forums, surely you will have a large degree of anonymity. Each year there is and will be a local constituency like that.
I definitely know people who were uncomfortable at previous lgms.
That you frame it as preemptive, and consider how it feels to us old-timers, is another fine example of privilege.
Jon Nordby
15 Jan
Several has raised the concern that the geekfeminism-based is too
negative and/or agressive by being focused on what wrong behavior is.
Here are two alternative that are instead based on the positive values
one expect people to hold:
http://www.kde.org/code-of-conduct/
http://www.python.org/psf/codeofconduct/
Louis Desjardins
15 Jan
Both seem to me on target and would need only small edits.
Chris Lilley
15 Jan
The PSF one: Open, Considerate, Respectful seems concise, clear, and
focuses on what to encourage rather than listing undesirable
behaviors.
It looks like a good model to adopt and it is CC0.
However, I'm also sensitive to the needs of the local organizers to
have such a policy added at the last minute and to pass review by
assorted levels of bureaucracy; with possible negatives of having the
policy refused, having some other policy mandated instead, or even of
having the hosting revoked due to a conflict with German or Saxon law.
It would have been different had this policy been in place when the
initial approach was made to Leipzig for conference hosting.
Since this policy is being added because we want to and consider it
just and merited, not at all to get some last minute extra funding
(right?) I would suggest discussing and proposing text continue, with
the aim of adding it to the *next* conference. That way, it becomes
part and parcel of the call for location.
Susan Spencer
16 Jan
I applaud the statements that the LGM CoC should be phrased in a positive way.
But this is not about staying within comfort zones, its about protecting people.
If anyone were comfortable with this subject matter then they would be very odd indeed.
Many people in Alabama can't talk about race properly because it makes them uncomfortable. They can only discuss it in the abstract, and circle around it without coming to any accountability. These conversations are very familiar to me. On the surface it sounds reasonable, but what it means is that should an issue occur then the community feels entitled to complain about the issue because it makes them uncomfortable, not because something bad has happened.
So please consider the practical nature of the CoC, and embrace a small bit of 'uncomfortableness' because it may help someone in the future.
pippin
16 Jan
I expect everyone considering to attend a conference to read and
understand a code of conduct. To me, the hate-speech against humanity
CoC, is the same as showing a graphically explicit video of examples
of non-toleratable behavior at the start of the meeting (perhaps
daily); similar to a safety video on an airplane. The first time I
read this text; it caused be to be disgusted with a conference I had
enjoyed attending the year before - in the end I chose to attend and
express the reaction I had to the new humanity hostile impression the
conference now was tainted with.
ale rimoldi
16 Jan
i specially like the python one: short, to the point and throughout
expressed in positive terms.
Susan Spencer
16 Jan
This is a great code of conduct for community at large. (Thanks Jon!)
http://www.python.org/psf/codeofconduct/
And this is a great procedural implementaiton of a code of conduct, needed for a convention.
https://us.pycon.org/2013/about/code-of-conduct/
They are two different things, they back each other up.
Both are necessary.
Sorry if it is uncomfortable, but it's certainly not hate speech.
A Code of Conduct is not a villainous bogeyman.
CoCs help keep people safe.
Nathan Willis
16 Jan
I would only want to add that I think Susan has brought up an important point. A code really has two purposes - to tell people what is expected, and to tell people what to do in the event that they feel something bad is happening when they're actually at the event.
It's perhaps more important that we think about how we'd want someone who has a concern to bring it to the right people's attention while at LGM, and make sure that we communicate that, than it is to craft the perfect "expectations" description.
Everyone seems to, generally, agree on the positive experience that they want LGM to be; perhaps we should decide how we'd want someone at the event to bring their concerns to the right place, and that would keep things moving forward. Regardless of the wording of expectations, I might even argue that having a process in place to hear and respond to conflict when it occurs is the critical thing to get right. If someone feels like they know what to do when they feel uncomfortable, that's where it really matters -- even if the wording ahead of time did not capture the particular circumstances that they find themselves in at the moment. I, at least, would want someone to feel comfortable approaching an LGM organizer with their concerns, even if their concerns are something we did not think of at all in advance.
I don't know what the university's policy and structure is on those issues, but perhaps we could decide what the LGM team wants -- designate a person or persons? Approach anyone on staff?
Dave Crossland
16 Jan
I don't know what the university's policy and structure is on those issues, but perhaps we could decide what the LGM team wants -- designate a person or persons? Approach anyone on staff?
I understand from Sirko's emails that he has taken the feedback on board that there should be a CoC this year, and the next step is for him to find out the exact University requirements and get back to us. Not sure it really matters what we want in the details at this point, the ball is in our location sponsor's court.
Gregory Pittman
17 Jan
> http://www.python.org/psf/codeofconduct/
I think this one is rather too verbose, and comes from the perspective
of Python development.
I like this one better: https://github.com/python/pycon-code-of-conduct/blob/master/code_of_conduct.md
which I think is easier to adapt and make even shorter:
******* Proposed LGM COC ********************
Code of Conduct for Libre Graphics Meeting 2014
In the spirit of FOSS and the various projects, other groups, and
individuals who support and attend these annual meetings, we want to
continue to enjoy the congenial and considerate atmosphere important to
the exchange of ideas at LGM.
All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience
including people of many different backgrounds and cultures. Please be
considerate of the various sensitivities of all of those who attend.
Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees. Behave
professionally.
In case you observe or experience any such negative behavior, you are
encouraged to notify LGM organizers so that appropriate steps can be taken.
Susan Spencer
17 Jan
Lots of other organizations have gone through this process.
We're in good company.
Here's an article about Heroku's experience in adopting a Code of Conduct.
https://blog.heroku.com/archives/2013/12/11/code_of_conduct
Christoph Schäfer"
17 Jan
I tried to stay away from this discussion, but Susan's latest remarks crossed a line.
Quotes/comments:
Q: "Both are necessary."
C: Please explain why.
Q: "CoCs help keep people safe."
C: Please explain how a CoC can help to keep people safe. Also define who's being threatened, who's the threat, what's the threat, and who's the safeguard against threats. If a threat can't be identified with a single person or a group, please define what else should be considered a threat and how a CoC can "help (to) keep people safe" other than law enforcement or civic common sense. Could it be that "safety" is increasingly becoming an alias for "suppressing views or certain forms of speach I don't like"?
Please don't try to interpret what I wrote above in a US context, as I'm a European and rather centre-left-leaning. Freedom of expression is essential to my understanding of freedom and democracy, even if free expression may step on someone's toes. Free societies rely on open and sometimes heated public debates. Adding layers and layers of taboos doesn't protect anyone. It only helps to grow dissatisfaction and prejudices.
Susan Spencer
17 Jan
Well, I suppose that a Code of Conduct is meaningless without a plan to implement it. No need for chaos and confusion and miscommunication to erupt if an incident occurs. Having a process defined is always the most efficient way to handle any potential occurrence (this goes for running a convention as well as running a data center). It's just logical and practical. It's like having an emergency exit plan posted for use in the event of fire. It's no good to figure out what to do, word it properly, and post it once a fire breaks out. It's only good if it's posted and everyone knows about it beforehand. And it doesn't increase the risk of fire. And no one believes that it implies that the building is a wreck and a fire hazard, so no one is insulted or made uncomfortable by it.
The discussion about keeping people safe and providing a reasonable assurance of a respectful environment has been all over the web for years. I can't possibly cover all the bases about this, especially to everyone's satisfaction. I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm avoiding the issue, but truly there is so much content that I would be spending several days trying to provide you a synopsis. Perhaps, if you are interested, you could investigate how other companies and organizations have implemented their policies and post what you think everyone should know.
Susan Spencer
18 Jan
Just for kicks, read the Norwegian Cruise Line's Guest Code of Conduct policy:
http://www.ncl.com/faq/guest-conduct-policy
They make parents repsonsible for their young adult's behavior! o.0
And we probably wouldn't confiscate skateboards, either.
Susan Spencer
18 Jan
To be clear about this, not all 'adult' material or discussions would break a Code of Conduct.
So that, by posting the following link, with the disclaimer that it contains adult material
and to only click on it if you are not offended by the mention of body parts,
I would not be violating any reasonable Code of Conduct, because it's not insulting
to anyone, it's just awkward. I'm being rather silly by mentioning it. Tight pants I think is less
problematic as a theme of discussion compared to this, yet the linked material
is strangely on-topic for this thread:
http://www.masterslaveconference.org/rules-policies.html
I'm posting this because I am a silly person, and to demonstrate that a good Code of Coduct
properly meets the needs of its community, and not all discussion in poor taste is
a violation of a Code of Conduct.
Gregory Pittman
18 Jan
> The discussion about keeping people safe and providing a reasonable
> assurance of a respectful environment has been all over the web for years.
This just sounds like "everyone is doing it so it must be a good thing
to do." Or maybe it's just something that's gone viral.
If someone feels unsafe at LGM, they should be notifying the local
police to have them deal with the issue.
There is probably more to be gained from group consensus and peer
pressure than from some regulation. Which individual or group at LGM has
the right to eject someone from the meeting?
Susan Spencer
18 Jan
One final link to examples, etc.:
"If recent high-profile incidents of sexual harassment and other inappropriate
behavior at conferences and conventions haven't convinced you, listen to our
expert sources: Your meeting needs a harassment policy.
Here's what you need to include."
http://www.convene-digital.org/convene/december_2013#pg95
It's possible there won't be a temporary CoC for LGM 2014
due to issues Sirko mentioned earlier in this thread,
but this document will be useful for the BOF meeting.
Louis Desjardins
18 Jan
Thanks Greg for the edited version!
To everyone: Does the proposed LGM CoC meet our expectations?
What I see here is something easy to understand, concise, to the point.
Without the idea of rushing anyone, may I ask if someone feels he or she didn’t have time to express an opinion, share a thought or bring up an argument we’d need to consider?
Is it too early or are we ready for a vote?
Susan Spencer
18 Jan
I agree with the understanding that this is a minimalistic draft,
suitable for the time being until the BOF at LGM 2014.
Michael Schumacher
18 Jan
> It's like having an emergency exit plan posted
> for use in the event of fire. It's no good to figure out what to do,
> word it properly, and post it once a fire breaks out.
we do not need to do this on our own, because plans exist and had a lot
of effort put into them, and are explained as well.
For example, I'd be very happy if the LGM organizers follow advices like
those in http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Women-friendly_events (and
the articles linked from there) and implement the suggestions given there.
I like the emergency exit plan image Susan used above. You may not need
it even just once in your whole life, but if you suddenly do, you will
be very glad that it is there and that you even remember some of it
without even trying to.
In general, I found http://geekfeminism.wikia.com to be an invaluable
resource, both to adjust my own behavior and learn about challenges I
never thought possible.
P.S. I'm part of a community that has an entry in Geekfeminism's
Timeline of Incidents; I was partly involved in that incident myself
(not perp, but cared too little and even had stayed on not rather good
terms with the perp for too long) and I think that it took us rather
long to solve this. If we have, I'm not sure if it is up to me to decide.
I definitely do not want LGM to appear there ever, and especially not in
a way that shows the organizers to have been unprepared. NB: I do not
know if they weren't already prepared at previous LGMs, because I didn't
have to test this and may never have to; I'm a white male and play life
on easy.
Addendum:
By arranging for the sponsoring of part of LGM, I feel a certain
responsibility to make sure that everyone feels good there.
Remember the party at Madrid last year? It was pleasing to learn that
the location is in a nice neighborhood, that the location itself, the
bartenders and the security guard ("sorry, you may not take your beer
outside. but just put it inside the doorstep, that'll be ok") were nice,
and that each and everyone was happy there.
Nevertheless, I scanned the relevant blogs for some time after the
event, to make sure that if anything I wasn't aware of popped up, I'd be
able to react asap. NB: if something did pop up, I haven't noticed it.
After all, I have to (at least, am strongly encouraged to) write reports
about the sponsored social events at LGM (and I learned that you rather
not try to be funny in those reports, but stick to the facts), because
the people who handle our money for us care about reputation and their
partial 501(c)(3) status. And I fully agree with their requirement.
Susan Spencer
18 Jan
Hi Michael!
Yes you're correct, there's no need to reinvent the wheel,
there are good examples to follow. And a CoC should be
adopted whether financial support results from it or not.
Is it worth informing the sponsors who require a CoC that
we plan to adopt a CoC at the meeting, as there may
be government bureaucratic issues which prevent
adopting a CoC at this time?
Christoph Schäfer
18 Jan
>> The discussion about keeping people safe and providing a reasonable assurance of a respectful environment has been all over the web for years.
These are two completely distinct issues.
>> I can't possibly cover all the bases about this, especially to everyone's satisfaction. I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm avoiding the issue,
But that's exactly what you do.
>> but truly there is so much content that I would be spending several days trying to provide you a synopsis.
If I want to publish a paper in a peer-reviewed scientific magazine, a footnote following your model ("[T]here is so much content that I would be spending several days trying to provide [...] a synopsis.") would immediately disqualify the whole text. I also didn't ask for a synopsis. I asked some very simple questions, which I'll repeat:
Your bold statement was: "CoCs help keep people safe."
Original reply from me (I changed Q to S -- for "statement"):
>> S: "Both are necessary."
>>C: Please explain why.
No answer so far.
As to the other questions, you cavalierly ignored them, so let me repeat them, one by one:
- Please explain how a CoC can help to keep people safe.
- Define who's being threatened.
- Who's the threat?
- What's the threat?
- Who's the safeguard against threats?
- If a threat can't be identified with a single person or a group, please define what else should be considered a threat and how a CoC can "help (to) keep people safe" other than law enforcement or civic common sense.
Would you mind answering them? Examples would be sufficient.
Your Norwegian example is pretty weak, btw, since this is boilerplate legal language in many European states.
Gregory Pittman
18 Jan
LGM and divisiveness
As we approach LGM 2014, it would be good to know that at some point we
all are rowing in the same direction. We need to put aside differences
of opinion and consider how we can make LGM an attractive and
trouble-free event for everyone.
Even without some artificial code that we might sprinkle holy water on
and make sacred, I think we have established that most of us have an
opinion that wants to keep LGM a friendly event for everyone who attends.
Let's face it, LGM isn't a democracy in some elective/voting sense,
since it is very unclear who has voting rights and whether all voting
rights are the same. We don't have a clear way of generating consensus.
We may have opinions for and against, but the (apparent) absence of an
opinion may be an indicator of unawareness of the vote or even what it's
about (or just being fed up with it all). And someone who has never
attended before and never will again has a vote too.
I also think it is magical thinking to believe that somehow this can all
be hashed out at LGM. Just look at what happens as the venue for the
next LGM gets "decided" at LGM. The vote, such as it is, takes place
only with those attending the meeting, as if those not present don't
care and don't matter. I suppose if they did care, they might be more
likely not to care about decisions they were left out of.
I think we all have experiences with people who are obsessed with some
issue. All they can talk about is their issue. People don't realize how
IMPORTANT this is. How ESSENTIAL it is. About all you can do is to avoid
this person, not start up a conversation with this person, unless you
like to argue. In an organization, this can be toxic. Let's try not to
drift in that direction.
Hin-Tak Leung
18 Jan
> And someone who has never
> attended before and never will again has a vote too.
I think you are reading too much into this. There is a practical reason why voting for the next venue happened/happens in a face to face meeting. Somebody need to (1) volunteer, (2) be trusted by the community, to *organize* the next event.
The latter is most rare - it is not as if any random keen 16-year-old can cope with the logistics of hundreds of people from different countries arriving, nor any random unseen unheard of rarely participating person be trusted to volunteer to organize.
> Let's try not to drift in that direction.
I think you are advocating what some called "social bullying". Many LGM attendees are there because they are passionate about *something*. Of course they will, and rightfully so, should talk about their ONE IDEA all the time. That's the whole point.
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Questions
What different models are there?
How do these codes create safe space (is that a good plan anyhow)?
How did it change communities?
How did it change participation?
What do COC's allow, and what do they exclude?
Is intersectional work being done by/through COC or avoided