BERLIN CODE OF CONDUCT *
A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALL USER GROUPS AND CONFERENCES
Purpose
A primary goal of all the conferences and user groups that refer to this Code of Conduct is to be inclusive to the largest number of contributors, 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 gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and religion (or lack thereof).
This Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in our community (i.e., scope), the consequences of unacceptable behavior, as well as a mechanism of addressing grievances of unfair or false accusations of all the latter.
We invite all those who participate in our events to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.
This Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in our community (i.e., scope), the consequences of unacceptable behavior, as well as a mechanism of addressing grievances of unfair or false accusations of all the latter.
We invite all those who participate in our events to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.
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 will take action deemed as appropriate and fair, which can including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the community without warning (and without refund in the case of a paid event).
If a community member engages in unacceptable behavior, the community organizers will take action deemed as appropriate and fair, which can including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the community without warning (and without refund in the case of a paid event).
If You Witness or Are Subject to Unacceptable Behavior
If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify a community organizer as soon as possible. You can find a list of organizers to contact for each of the supporters of this code of conduct at the bottom of this page. 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.
Addressing Grievances
If you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct, you should notify one of the event organizers with a concise description of your grievance. Your grievance will be handled in accordance with our existing governing policies.
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.
Being a Better Citizen
It is goal of this Code of Conduct to foster a community that allows an exchange of knowledge, ideas and experiences. We strive to be better citizens within communities of open source, open tech, and open culture.
BSidesSATX is an inclusive and safe space for people to come together and build friendships and professional relationships within the InfoSec Community. BSidesSATX seeks to include the voices of all people, no matter their sex, gender, color, ability, nationality, or identity. All are welcome here. ***
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. As such we encourage participants to recognize and strengthen the relationships between our actions and their effects on our community. We ask that you do so in a manner that promotes speech that is informative, respectful, and civil.
As members and volunteers of BSidesSATX we will not tolerate hate speech or violence against any group or individual. ***
Help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone. If you see someone who is making an extra effort to ensure our community is welcoming, friendly, and encourages all participants to contribute to the fullest extent, we want to know.
Be a better citizen within your communities by encouraging participates to recognize and strengthen the relationship between our actions and their effects on our community
BSidesSATX is an inclusive and safe space for people to come together and build friendships and professional relationships within the InfoSec Community. BSidesSATX seeks to include the voices of all people, no matter their sex, gender, color, ability, nationality, or identity. All are welcome here. ***
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. As such we encourage participants to recognize and strengthen the relationships between our actions and their effects on our community. We ask that you do so in a manner that promotes speech that is informative, respectful, and civil.
As members and volunteers of BSidesSATX we will not tolerate hate speech or violence against any group or individual. ***
Help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone. If you see someone who is making an extra effort to ensure our community is welcoming, friendly, and encourages all participants to contribute to the fullest extent, we want to know.
Be a better citizen within your communities by encouraging participates to recognize and strengthen the relationship between our actions and their effects on our community
Expected Behavior
- Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of our community.
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
- Be mindful and respectfully use an individual's pronouns. "Doing so communicates respect for them and their identity, while using other pronouns conveys a disregard for the individual." **
- Attempt collaboration before conflict.
- Refrain from demeaning, 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.
Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:
Community event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.
- Speech or actions that are intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning.
- Harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments related to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, disability.
- Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images (including presentation slides).
- Inappropriate depictions of violence (including presentation slides)
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following.
- Harassing or unwanted photography or recording.
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events.
- Inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
Community event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.
Photo, Video, and Recording Device Policy
Ensure you have the permission from anyone you photograph or record. This includes those in the background of your shot. “Crowd shots” from the front (facing the crowd) are strongly discouraged.
If you’ve accidentally taken a picture without permission, delete it. If you are asked by a participant to delete/blur a picture they did not give you permission to take, do so immediately.
We ask Press photographers to adhere to this policy, as well. A Press badge is not a pass to break these rules.
Upon a first infraction, you will receive one warning from Staff. Upon a second infraction you will be asked to leave the Con with your device. You may return to the Con once you have deposited your device in a secure location, offsite.
If you’ve accidentally taken a picture without permission, delete it. If you are asked by a participant to delete/blur a picture they did not give you permission to take, do so immediately.
We ask Press photographers to adhere to this policy, as well. A Press badge is not a pass to break these rules.
Upon a first infraction, you will receive one warning from Staff. Upon a second infraction you will be asked to leave the Con with your device. You may return to the Con once you have deposited your device in a secure location, offsite.
Point of Contact
If you feel you have seen someone violate any policy of BSidesSATX, have questions regarding the polices, or do not feel safe, then please use the below points of contact. If there is a threat to your life, or if you are concerned about an immediate harm to yourself or some else, please call 911. Otherwise, please contact one of the following points of contact:
- Ombudsman at ombudsman AT bsidessatx DOT com.
- If you are uncomfortable with contacting the Ombudsman, then you may address your concerns by contacting our Coordinator at coordinator AT bsidessatx DOT com.
- Also, BSidesSATX staff members are prepared to offer assistance in contacting the above contacts.
License and attribution
* This is a modified version of the Berlin Code of Conduct (BCC). The BCC is licensed and distributed as Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). It is based on the pdx.rb code of conduct.
** From the article "The Chicago Manual of Style on the Singular Pronoun 'They'." Written by kfischie. Published by Indiana University Bloomington /Libraries /Gender Studies.
*** This is a modified version of the Diana Initiative’s Inclusion Policy. This can be found here.
** From the article "The Chicago Manual of Style on the Singular Pronoun 'They'." Written by kfischie. Published by Indiana University Bloomington /Libraries /Gender Studies.
*** This is a modified version of the Diana Initiative’s Inclusion Policy. This can be found here.