SMWCon Spring 2015/Code of Conduct

SMWCon Spring 2015 is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of staff, presenters, and participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any SMWCon Spring 2015 event or network activity, including talks. Anyone in violation of these policies may expelled from SMWCon Spring 2015 network activities and events at the discretion of the event organizer.

Our anti-harassment policy can be found at:

http://semantic-mediawiki.org/wiki/SMWCon_Spring_2015/Code_of_Conduct

Anti-Harrassment Policy
Harassment includes but is not limited to: offensive verbal or written comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion; sexual images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; unwelcome sexual attention; unwarranted exclusion; and patronizing language or action.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from SMWCon Spring 2015 activities and events.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. Conference staff can be identified by special badges.

Conference staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance.

Useful Contacts

 * Organizers 
 * Chris Koerner (Local Chair) - Chris.Koerner@mercy.net - 314-210-2528
 * Paul Boal (Program Chair) - Paul.Boal@mercy.net
 * St. Louis Metropolitan Police
 * Non-emergency: 314-231-1212
 * Emergency: 911
 * YWCA Sexual Assault Center – 314-531-7273
 * Laclede Cab – 314-652-3456

We expect participants to follow these rules at all conference venues and conference-related social events. We value your attendance and hope that by communicating these expectations widely we can all enjoy a harassment-free environment.

License and attribution
This anti-harassment policy is based on the example policy from the Geek Feminism wiki, created by the Ada Initiative and other volunteers.

We are also influenced by the Code for America Code of Conduct, which too is based upon the Geek Feminism example.

This policy is based on several other policies, including the Ohio LinuxFest anti-harassment policy, written by Esther Filderman and Beth Lynn Eicher, and the Con Anti-Harassment Project. Mary Gardiner, Valerie Aurora, Sarah Smith, and Donna Benjamin generalized the policies and added supporting material. Many members of LinuxChix, Geek Feminism and other groups contributed to this work.