Code Of Conduct
Thank you for your cooperation
We expect all Participants and Volunteers to abide by this Code of Conduct (“Ruling Principles") at all Untapped Energy venues and Untapped Energy-related social events. Participants seek to learn, network, and have fun. Please do so responsibly and with respect for the right of others to do likewise. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a friendly, safe, and welcoming conference environment.
Untapped Energy believes our community should be truly open for everyone. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all attendees, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, organizers, venue staff, media, exhibitors, vendors and other guests (collectively, “Participants”) of the Untapped Energy community free from discrimination for any reason including on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, age and religion. We invite all Participants to help us realize a safe and positive conference experience for everyone. The Code of Conduct exists to set general notice of prohibited conduct, should be read broadly and is not designed to define misconduct in exhaustive terms. Everyone must know and abide by the Code of Conduct and all published policies and procedures. Ignorance of the code will not be an excuse.
Expected Behavior
All Participants are expected to: be considerate, respectful, and collaborative; refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior or speech; be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow Participants – your fellow Participants may have a different level of comfort with respect to language and personal space; please alert Untapped Energy organizers or leadership if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
The Untapped Energy Code of Conduct values and policies is also enforceable for incidents outside of Untapped Energy activities; this includes incidents that happen before the initiation or after the completion of any Untapped Energy event, online interactions between members and social media.
Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable behaviors include: intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning conduct; offensive verbal comments including as related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, age, or religion; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides); deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention. Some Untapped Energy venues are shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.
The following criteria will be used to determine if an incident that happens outside of the community will be considered an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct and Ruling Principles:
- When others recognized the incident as being carried out by an Untapped Energy member.
- When the incident adversely impacted an Untapped Energy member’s mental, emotional, or physical health, safety, and/or security.
- When the incident adversely impacted the principles contained in this Code of Conduct.
- Whether the incident was a violation of federal or state laws or regulations or local ordinances.
- When the incidents affect a community partner member.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
Untapped Energy reserves the right to investigate and initiate the resolution process regardless of the prospect of pending civil or criminal proceedings. Untapped Energy resolution process differs from legal proceedings in that the goal is to preserve our ruling principles and show zero tolerance to any grave incident. Untapped Energy may move forward to resolution prior to, simultaneously with, or following criminal or civil proceedings. The resolution of an alleged violation will not change because a civil or criminal case has been resolved via dismissal, settlement, or reduction.
If someone brings concerning behavior to our attention, the organizer or leadership team will work to determine if the behavior may be a violation of the Code of Conduct and Ruling Principles. Unacceptable behavior by Participants will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. When deciding the appropriate action to take, we consider the severity of the incident, additional information (such as past behavioral history), and any additional context we may have. If it is determined that there is an unintentional violation, we will notify the accused, meet with them, gather information about the incident(s), and work to prevent reoccurrence. Actions taken to avoid future occurrences may be educational (such as a success plan) or may include measures up to the withdrawal. If there are clear indications of predatory behavior, the individual will be immediately expelled from the community, and no further investigation is needed.
What to Do If You Witness or Are Subject to Unacceptable Behavior
If you are subject to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subject to unacceptable behavior, or have concerns that this Code of Conduct is not being followed, notify an Untapped Energy organizers or leader as soon as possible. All reports will remain completely confidential. Untapped Energy will determine and carry out the appropriate course of action, and will be available to help Participants experiencing unacceptable behavior feel safe for the duration of the conference.
Members who believe they have been discriminated against or subjected to harassment should communicate to Untapped Energy as soon as possible. Complaints will be handled confidentially unless making this information public prevents other incidents, and the affected member allows it.
Of course, if you are ever uncomfortable interacting as a community member, please let us know through other communications channels available (e.g. email, direct message via Slack, etc.)
No Retaliation
Untapped Energy prohibits retaliation against any person because of that person’s good-faith participation in the reporting, investigation, or resolution of any alleged violation of the Code of Conduct and Ruling Principles. Retaliation can be physical, verbal, via a third party, or electronic means (in public or private forums) and may include, but is not limited to: harassment, intimidation, threats, or adverse actions against a Fellow, staff member or guest. Retaliation will result in immediate removal from the program.
Resolution Process
Suppose a community member is found to be responsible for a violation of the Ruling Principles. In that case, Code of Conduct, or other published policies, this community member will be notified of the decision and any resulting outcomes up to, but not limited to, being removed from the community. Untapped Energy reserves the right to immediately remove a community member from the program without notice or opportunity for a hearing for disruptive behavior and/or not in line with our mission, values and goals.
Community Environment
The community’s most important is building and maintaining a strong, supportive, positive environment that leads to successful outcomes for members. We take this job very seriously. Any activity (creating distractions, bullying, harassment, etc.) that negatively impacts the community environment will result in being removed from the community.
Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment
We aim to create an environment of mutual trust without intimidation, oppression, and exploitation. We all should be able to work and learn in a safe yet stimulating atmosphere. Untapped Energy prohibits unlawful discrimination against and harassment of any individual, community or organization.
We will not tolerate any form of harassment generally, and in particular, that is unwelcome and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive; causes reasonable fear for safety; and/or interferes with or limits employment, education, or ability to participate in or benefit from programs, activities, or resources.
This includes but is not limited to the following: Discrimination under this policy is conduct directed at an individual or group of individuals. Such as race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability status, or any other status protected by law that subjects the individual or group of individuals to different treatment to adversely affect the individual’s or group of individuals.
Harassment
Harassment is conduct directed at an individual or group of individuals because of their race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability status, genetic information or any other status protected by law that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual or group of individuals employment or fellowship experience or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Harassment includes any verbal, physical, or online conduct and includes, but is not limited to: slurs, epithets, or other threatening, intimidating, hostile, or abusive treatment directed at an individual or group of individuals as defined above.
To constitute a hostile environment, the harassment must be sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to create an environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile, or abusive.
A single incident may create a hostile environment if it is sufficiently severe. Additionally, while a single incident may not be classified as a hostile environment, the incident will be addressed, so it is not repeated.
Property and Resources
An Untapped Energy member should not take, attempt to take, keep in their possession, sell, or attempt to sell, damage or destroy property (intellectual or physical), information, services, or accounts belonging to the community, community partners or individuals.
If the community member does not return, or misuses, improperly share, or pirate property, or violate their privacy rights (for example, by recording conversations without notice, whether online or offline), the community member may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including legal action and removal from the community.
Physical or Psychological Harm, Threat or Actual
Includes behavior that is threatening and/or intimidating or harassing in nature and expresses or implies interference with personal safety, education, employment, or participation in activities, resources, or that causes the person(s) to have reasonable fear that such behavior is about to occur. Any act or series of acts of physical, social, or emotional domination or intimidation, commonly referred to as “bullying,” that causes fear of or physical or psychological harm and/or interferes with employment, education, or ability to participate in or benefit from events, activities, or resources. Important note: at Untapped Energy, we encourage critical thought, discourse, and feedback. None of the above is to discourage criticism of the program itself, the policies, actions of Untapped Energy leadership, or any other component of the community. We value feedback and welcome it anytime.
We hold our community to high standards and expect event participants, members, partnered communities and organizations, and guests to engage with each other professionally.
In the spirit of praise publicly and critique privately, we ask that you not criticize any member of the Untapped Energy community publicly and contribute to creating a respectful and welcoming environment for all.
Creative Integrity
Untapped Energy expects members to understand and maintain high standards of integrity. Breaches of integrity include, but are not limited to, inappropriate collaboration, intellectual property, including copyright infringement, or acts of bad faith.
Online communication
Professionalism is expected when engaging in all forms of online communications. Violations on Slack, Zoom, and/or other platforms may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to removal from Slack, Meetup and any venue where a community event is scheduled.
Updated version: April 1, 2024