W3HAC

Code of Conduct

Purpose

We believe our community should be truly open for everyone. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all.

This Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for anyone attending a W3HAC event or participating with W3HAC’s online spaces, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior.

We invite everyone to help us maintain a safe, positive, and welcoming experience for all.

Scope & Applicability

The Code of Conduct, and all guidelines within it, applies to all members, visitors, speakers, volunteers, venue staff, sponsors, and other guests (collectively referred to as “Participants”) of HacDC Amateur Radio Club (hereafter referred to as “W3HAC”) meetings, activities, social gatherings, radio nets, and online social media forums and channels.

By participating in W3HAC activities, events, and/or online W3HAC resources, Participants accept the terms of the Code of Conduct, and agree to abide by them.

Publication

The Code of Conduct is available online at https://www.w3hac.org/code-of-conduct. Links to the Code of Conduct will be supplied on all official W3HAC community forums and chat rooms.

Participant Expectations

Acceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to:

  • Being considerate, respectful, and collaborative;
  • Refraining from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior, material distribution, and speech;
  • Being mindful of one’s surroundings and of one’s fellow participants; 
  • Respecting the property of W3HAC, our contracted venues, and that of other persons;
  • Complying with all FCC directives; and
  • Obeying all officially-posted signs, placards, and instructions. 

Prohibited Actions

Unacceptable behavior and materials include, but are not limited to:

  • Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning statements or conduct;
  • Any offensive comments or behavior (verbal, written, or otherwise) related to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation;
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; 
  • Posting of offensive materials;
  • Assembly for the purpose of, or resulting in, disturbance of the peace, any unlawful act;
  • Destruction, theft, dismantlement, defacement, abuse, or intentional misuse of W3HAC or W3HAC-contracted venue property, equipment, signage or supplies;
  • Photography or recording without the consent of each person photographed or recorded;
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events (whether verbal or otherwise);
  • Unwanted or inappropriate physical contact;
  • Unwelcome attention, sexual or otherwise;
  • Actual or threatened pushing, shoving, or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person; 
  • Possession of a weapon, or use of any item in a way that may cause danger to others; and
  • Any boisterous, lewd, or offensive behavior or language, including but not limited to use of sexually explicit or offensive language, materials, or conduct; language, behavior, or content that contains profanity, obscene gestures, or derogatory reference to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation

Reporting and Resolution of Issues

When a concern arises about a Participant’s behavior or actions, we will follow these steps:

Step 0: Peer Intervention (Optional)

If a community member witnesses a Code of Conduct violation by a Participant, they may raise the issue directly with the Participant, if they feel safe and comfortable to do so. The community member should ask the Participant in good faith to recognize the potential harm of their behavior and offer them an opportunity to clarify, adjust, and/or apologize.

Step 1: Club Leader Intervention

If the Participant’s conduct makes community members feel unsafe or uncomfortable or a good-faith intervention is not fruitful, community members should ask for support from a club leader(s). Club leaders include elected officers and members of the board, committee chairs, event organizers, net control operators, chat room and online forum administrators. A Club leader will speak to the Participant with the goal of arriving at resolution.

Step 2: W3HAC Notice of Violation

If an opportunity for resolution with a club leader is unsuccessful, W3HAC will issue a notice of violation. This notice will be made verbally or in writing. If the violation occurred at a meeting or other event, the Participant will be removed from the venue. If the violation occurred in an online social media forum or chat room, the Participant will be temporarily suspended, removed, or blocked from the online space.

Step 3: W3HAC Suspension or Expulsion

Subsequent violations of the Code of Conduct after a formal notice will result in disciplinary action by W3HAC. This may involve temporary suspension or permanent expulsion from W3HAC’s physical and online spaces. All determinations of appropriate or inappropriate behavior, and any consequences thereof, will be made at W3HAC’s sole discretion. The decision(s) of W3HAC are final and may not be appealed.

If W3HAC determines, in its sole discretion, that anyone has engaged in unacceptable behavior, W3HAC will take appropriate actions, up to and including expulsion from the event, activity, chat room, or any other W3HAC sponsored physical or online social forum. Any consequences may be made by W3HAC with or without warning or refund, and W3HAC may contact relevant authorities, as it believes to be appropriate or required by law.