Code of Conduct

As yet we have not agreed on a Code of Conduct. We know it is important and it is being discussed, but we want one that represents the values of RML underpinning those of the Ham United Group. This page is to help coordinate those discussions.

The Ham United Group has a similar documents to Code of Conduct but we still should have one that applies to the nature of the RML hackspace. Articles of association are find in page 30 of this document. Ham United Group CIC's aim is to improve the environment and enhance the quality of life for the community in Ham and Petersham. The good thing is that RML is doing things for people beyond the TW10 postal code. HUG has published it's equality duties here.

Some examples to work from:

• LHS
• South London Makerspace
• Surrey & Hampshire Makerspace
• UK Hackspace foundation

For Talks, Lectures and similar activities

We used to have Monday Linux,BSD and Open source days and a LBOS Code of Conduct was generated. We can assume the same can be used for this particular case for similar activities.

General use of the space (Draft)

Aims

We recognise that in our society power is not held equally and that groups and individuals have been and continue to be discriminated against on many grounds including, for example, race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, class, religion, marital status and where they live or are from.

We also recognises that where direct or indirect discrimination occurs within our organization, it is both morally and legally unacceptable.

The purpose of the Equality and Diversity Policy is to set out clearly and fully the positive action we intend to take to combat direct and indirect discrimination in the organisation, in the services it provides and in its relationships with other bodies.

In adopting this Equality and Diversity Policy, we are also making an unequivocal commitment to implementing it, so as to ensure that equal opportunity becomes a reality.

Code of Conduct

This code of conduct is not meant to cover all circumstances, please be understanding.

This code of conduct applies to your behaviour on all our communication channels, and any events that we run:

• Our association is inclusive; do not engage in homophobic, racist, transphobic, ableist, xenophobic, sexist, or otherwise exclusionary behaviour. Do not make exclusionary jokes, even “ironically”.
• Don’t harass people. Physical contact or sexual attention without enthusiastic consent is harassment, or if taken to its extreme, abuse. Wearing revealing clothes or flirting are not necessarily consent. If you’re asked to stop, do so. If you’re not sure the person is happy with what you are doing, ask.
• Aggression and elitism are unwelcome – knowledge is not a competition.
• We’d rather you ask about gender than assume, and if you get it wrong, apologise. Mistakes happen, however you should always use the person’s preferred pronouns when addressing or discussing them.
• People’s private lives are their own. Do not share details about others that they have not explicitly made public. This includes, but is not limited to, sexuality, gender, medical conditions, housing, relationship or financial status.
• Although alcoholic drinks and drugs are not allowed. Those who are obviously intoxicated will be asked to leave.
• Unless you have been trained or told you can touch equipment on the space for your own safety please abstain and ask other members to see if it is ok to use, touch a piece of equipment.
• Discussion of how to make us more inclusive is welcome. Claims that this “has gone too far” aren’t.
• Please leave the space tidier than you found it. Don't make it a competition of who cleans more, but please be aware that it is member run group. (At some point someone has cleaned the kitchen and the toilet and emptied the trash)

Equipment

• Do not feel that you are entitled to use the tools.
• Please treat the equipment with respect.
• Please be patient to be cleared on the use of equipment.

Any breaches of the Code of Conduct shall be handled as mentioned below.

Dealing with Complaints

The Directors will take complaints of discrimination and harassment very seriously. Directors can be found in Ham United Group Companies House profile.

They will investigate them thoroughly, and provide opportunities for the person making the complaint to speak in a safe environment about their experience.

If the complaint is against a particular individual, the committee will hear their point of view.

The Committee will decide the action to take based on the principle of ensuring the continued inclusion and safety of any member who has experienced discrimination or harassment.

Any decision to terminate someone’s membership will be made in line with the rules set out in the constitution.