<- Policies and Legal

Code of Conduct

A primary goal of PathCheck Foundation 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 age, body size, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status, nationality, personal appearance, race, religion, or sexual identity and orientation. This code of conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in our community, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior.

We invite all those who participate in PathCheck to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.

Expected Behavior

The following behaviors are expected and requested of all community members:

  • Participate in an authentic and active 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.

  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.

  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert team leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct, even if they seem inconsequential.

  • Gracefully accepting constructive criticism

  • Showing empathy towards other community members

  • While all of what we do is experienced remotely, it is important to be mindful of the limitations; taking care to ensure all voices are heard

  • Encouraging participation from all instead of those that speak the loudest

  • Confidentiality and Privacy are critically important in all that we do.  Remember to follow security practices when viewing, downloading, storing information that has confidential and/or health-related information or data.  (Guidance needed here – edit freely) 

  • Remember that community event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations

Unacceptable Behavior

The following behaviors are considered harassment and are unacceptable within our community:

  • Violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person.

  • Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.

  • Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.

  • Posting or threatening to post other people’s personally identifying information (“doxing”).

  • Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.

  • Photographing or recording without explicit consent.

  • Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping, and unwelcome sexual advances.

  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in-person).

  • Any behavior that would be considered fraudulent or unethical

  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

  • Sustained disruption of community events, including talks and presentations.

  • Pushing your agenda over the needs of the project

  • Trolling, insulting/derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks

  • Public or private harassment

  • Inappropriate physical contact. You should have someone’s consent before touching them.

  • Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting

  • Attempts to dominate others by interrupting others, talking over others, and failure to provide space to hear or intent to listen 

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 may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the community without warning.

Our Responsibilities

Team Leads are responsible for clarifying the standards of acceptable behavior and are expected to take appropriate and fair corrective action in response to any instances of unacceptable behavior.

Team Leads have the right and responsibility to remove, edit, or reject comments, commits, code, issues, and other contributions that are not aligned to this Code of Conduct, or to ban temporarily or permanently any contributor for other behaviors that they deem inappropriate, threatening, offensive, or harmful.

Conflict Resolution

If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behavior, violating the code of conduct, or have any other concerns, please notify a team lead immediately. We are dedicated to providing an environment where everyone feels welcome and safe.

We expect all community participants 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.

This code of conduct and its related procedures also applies to unacceptable behavior occurring outside the scope of community activities when such behavior has the potential to adversely affect the safety and well-being of community members.

Reports should be directed to PathCheck Foundation's President or Community Program Manager.  It is their duty to receive and address reported violations of the code of conduct. If an issue involves these individuals, reported violations should go to the Board of Directors.

We will investigate every complaint, but you may not receive a direct response. We will use our discretion in determining when and how to follow up on reported incidents, which may range from not taking action to permanent expulsion from the project.