At MOG Media, our mission is to create a safe space for all attendees where you are not discriminated against on the basis of your identity, sexuality, physical appearance, race, disability, or age. To create a conducive environment to interact with a free and open mind, we adopt this code of conduct. It applies to all the events and conferences both online and held in person organized by MOG Media and their associates.
For real discussions to take place, it is inevitable to have different expressions and opinions, however, we will not tolerate any kind of harassment. In case of any instance of harassment, we will take strict action.
In the interest of fostering an open and welcoming environment, we as organizers pledge to make participation in our conference and our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, identity, sexual identity, orientation, physical appearance, race, disability, or political leanings.
Unacceptable Behavior
We wish to create an inclusive and safe environment for all where they can learn and express themselves. To achieve the same, we strongly refrain everyone from doing the following:
- Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity, and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, and religion;
- Sexual images in public spaces;
- Deliberate intimidation;
- Stalking or following;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Inappropriate physical contact or advances;
- Showing pornography;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviors;
- Causing injury to attendees; or
- Any form of physical violence.
All instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior may be reported.
Positive Behavior
We strongly believe it’s important to pay attention to harmful language patterns. We can try and build a conducive atmosphere, to do so we may keep in mind the following:
- Be audible and speak with clarity;
- Be a listener when someone is trying to speak, and there might be people who are not very well versed in your language, be patient with them;
- Maintain your calm, address the issue;
- Disagreements happen; it’s okay to walk away from a conversation that isn’t fruitful or is becoming tense;
- If you do not like a solution someone else is proposing, explain why or you may state an alternative;
- Do not assume anyone’s gender identity, sexual preference, survivor status, economic status, background, health status; or
- Make sure to refer to people by their preferred gender pronoun. (Some people don’t identify with the sex they were assigned at birth, and others may prefer gender-neutral pronouns. You can ask people what their preferred gender pronoun is. Also, if you are unsure, address them by their name.)
Where to Report an instance of harassment? How?
If you are being harassed or you observe someone being harassed, please REPORT. Reports may be registered by taking the following actions:
- Locating a member of the organizing team on-site. Team members can be identified by conference/initiative logo shirts and will be at the information desk by the front entrance throughout the conference.
- WhatsApp our HELP team on INSERT
- Emailing the MOG Team INSERT
- Twitter Direct Message to @BarbadosSEO
What happens if something is reported to us
If someone is immediately in danger, we will involve venue staff or emergency services as required.
If our help team decides that the code of conduct has or may have been breached, they may take any action they consider appropriate, including warning the offender, expulsion from the conference (without a refund), or bans from future events (either fixed or indefinite).
If you see something that you feel is inappropriate and contrary to the spirit of agreed upon conduct, say something to the person affected and remind them there is a process they can access.
Confidentiality: All reports made will be kept confidential. When making a personal report, our team members will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to follow the request at once. All complaints will be reviewed and investigated and will result in a response that is considered necessary and appropriate to the circumstances.
Event organizers retain the right to take any action to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender, expulsion from the conference/ event, mediation with the complainant / victim in the complaint and the person alleged to have participated in harassing or discriminatory behavior. However, to preserve both the safety and the confidentiality of the complainant / victim in the complaint, no specific action will be taken without consultation and their approval. Any illegal conduct will also be reported to local authorities if needed.
Scope
This code of conduct applies to all convening participants and all event-related staff (e.g., hotel staff, conference staff, employees of MOG and the BTMI). It applies to all convening-related activities such as sessions related to the formal agenda; all related side- and social- events; parties; and informal gatherings at restaurants or bars.
As outlined in our terms and condition MOG Media reserves the right to refuse admission or eject any delegate deemed to be behaving in an unacceptable manner. We do not tolerate any form of unsociable or unacceptable behavior and will act upon any behavior reported to us. All attendees and sponsors of the event must follow the Code of Conduct.
License and attribution
With thanks to Women in Tech who kindly shared this template for events to use. This CoC is released under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.