[Board] Proposed text for an OSGeo Code of Conduct

Cameron Shorter cameron.shorter at gmail.com
Wed Feb 4 12:31:29 PST 2015 

Hi Jeff, all,

Thanks for invitation to the board meeting [1] to discuss a code of 
conduct. Unfortunately I can't make it, my enthusiasm for OSGeo wains at 
2am (which is the timeslot for me). Maybe there are others who have been 
involved in the conference email list discuss who will join in.

So I'll add my comments in advance:

1. I strongly believe there should be ONLY ONE OSGeo endorsed and 
recommended Code of Conduct / Diversity Statement. It makes it simpler 
and hence easier to apply.

2. Following on from 1), other OSGeo communities should be invited to 
contribute to the Code of Conduct / Diversity Statement. In particular, 
the conference committee should be invited to contribute.

4. I suggest building on prior best practice documentation rather than 
writing our own from scratch. Many of these prior documents have already 
gone through multiple review cycles and it makes sense to build upon 
that expertise. There have been a number of referenced best practice 
documents referenced. Carl has just suggested an OGC reference which is 
good (and built upon prior material).

6. There has been valuable and insightful suggestions on this topic 
already on the conference thread. I suggest building upon those comments 
as well.

5. David William Bitner valuably suggested documenting what we want to 
achieve, then use that as a basis for writing. (see comment below). I 
suggest what we want such a document to cover:

* Recognise that OSGeo has a DIVERSE community
* Set expectation that people should act RESPECTFULLY toward each other
* Outline a process for RECOGNISING, REPORTING and ADDRESSING incidents 
which can be referenced by those dealing with incidents. (Dealing with 
incidents is often a hostile situation, and having a process to 
reference can greatly help the people doing the hard job of mediating.)

6. While I like the concept of the word "Diversity", I think it is 
currently confusing in  "Diversity Statement" as a heading. "Diversity" 
is broad in meaning, and can mean Diversity in software choice, food 
selection, processes followed, etc, etc. We should select a heading 
relevant to what is being described - which is an expectation of 
"behaviour" or "conduct".  "Code of Conduct", Principles of Conduct" 
better describe what should be covered.

[1] http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_Meeting_2015-02-05

On 5/02/2015 3:51 am, Carl Reed wrote:
> Venka et. al.
>
> You might be interested in the OGC Principals of Conduct which is 
> itself based on the IETF Code of Conduct.
>
> http://www.opengeospatial.org/ogc/policies/conduct
>
> Perhaps this might be helpful.
>
> Regards
>
> Carl Reed
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Venkatesh Raghavan
> Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2015 6:03 AM
> To: board at lists.osgeo.org
> Subject: Re: [Board] Proposed text for an OSGeo Code of Conduct
>
> On 2015/02/04 21:45, Jeff McKenna wrote:
>> Yes I agree, which is why I believe the OSGeo Foundation needs a very 
>> simple Diversity statement, that says everyone can expect an open and 
>> respectful environment (see my original draft at 
>> http://wiki.osgeo.org/index.php?title=Diversity&oldid=81445). Notice 
>> how there is no mention of policing etc in that version. Your 
>> discussions on a Code of Conduct for FOSS4G are very separate in my 
>> opinion.  In any case, the OSGeo Board will discuss this in 
>> tomorrow's meeting if you would like to attend and share your 
>> thoughts, all are welcome 
>> (http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_Meeting_2015-02-05).
>
> I agree that any statement by OSGeo foundation in general and
> statements pertaining to events produced/hosted/presented by
> OSGeo Foundation should be kept separate.
>
> Venka
>>
>> -jeff
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2015-02-04 6:28 AM, Cameron Shorter wrote:
>>> I'm expanding this Code of Conduct thread to include the OSGeo Board,
>>> who are proposing an alternative Code of Conduct:
>>> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Diversity
>>>
>>> I strongly suggest that we should try to have only one OSGeo Code of
>>> Conduct / Diversity Statement as it reduces confusion and is easier to
>>> implement. There is beauty in simplicity. Jeff are you suggesting that
>>> we have two? (One for conferences, and another for OSGeo?)
>>>
>>> On 3/02/2015 7:09 am, Jeff McKenna wrote:
>>>> I would like Board members to edit that wiki page directly over the
>>>> next few days, and then we can discuss this at the Board meeting on
>>>> Thursday.  My goal is to have a new "/diversity" page linked from the
>>>> main osgeo.org site.
>>>
>>> Jeff, I assume that since you have proposed an alternative text, that
>>> you have issue with the prior proposed text? (as in the bottom of this
>>> email thread). What do you see to be the limitations of the prior
>>> proposed text?
>>>
>>> Also, in your email, are you requesting that only board members edit 
>>> the
>>> Diversity statement, or is it open to other community members to 
>>> edit as
>>> well?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 4/02/2015 7:16 am, Bart van den Eijnden wrote:
>>>> Interesting, MapZen will only sponsor events which have a strong COC
>>>> in place:
>>>>
>>>> https://mapzen.com/blog/mapzen-code-of-conduct
>>>>
>>>> Best regards,
>>>> Bart
>>>>
>>>>> On 25 Jan 2015, at 22:10, Cameron Shorter <cameron.shorter at gmail.com
>>>>> <mailto:cameron.shorter at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks Eli,
>>>>> I like your list of characteristics. I'd add:
>>>>>
>>>>> * Have a CoC in the first place, which breaks down to:
>>>>> ** Ensure conferences remember / realise that a CoC should be in
>>>>> place. (Add it to our cookbook [1]  and bid process)
>>>>> ** Make it easy to apply a CoC by referencing an existing document.
>>>>> (Complete this discussion and provide a best practice document that
>>>>> can be referenced).
>>>>>
>>>>> I acknowledge your point re over-doing sexualized images discussion.
>>>>>
>>>>> I like the qgis CoC, and suggest that if we can make adding a CoC
>>>>> easy (by providing generic text), then we should add having a CoC a
>>>>> requirement for OSGeo graduation. I've added a placemarker into the
>>>>> proposed text for the next OSGeo Project Graduation Checklist. [2]
>>>>>
>>>>> [1] http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G_Handbook
>>>>> [2] 
>>>>> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Project_Graduation_Checklist#processes.4
>>>>>
>>>>> On 26/01/2015 5:53 am, Eli Adam wrote:
>>>>>> Code of Conduct specific wording is less important than these
>>>>>> characteristics:
>>>>>> * Being present (i.e. not implied but clearly stated)
>>>>>> * Appearing sincere
>>>>>> * Being sincere
>>>>>> * Having reasonable people implementing it
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In that regard, the similar texts you listed were all fine.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Generally, I think that we are spending too much time and 
>>>>>> emphasis on
>>>>>> sexualized images.  We are in the open source geospatial software,
>>>>>> geospatial standards, open data, education, and related fields; 95%+
>>>>>> of all presentations and other content can be done entirely
>>>>>> successfully without images of people at all.  For the 5% of cases
>>>>>> that images of people substantively contribute to the presentation,
>>>>>> err on the side of caution, "If in doubt, leave it out".
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I like the idea of the conference committee starting with a CoC for
>>>>>> conferences and the Board possibly modifying and expanding it to 
>>>>>> other
>>>>>> areas of OSGeo or projects establishing their own (see QGIS,
>>>>>> http://qgis.org/en/site/getinvolved/governance/codeofconduct/codeofconduct.html) 
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't think that 2015 FOSS4G needs any input, they already seem to
>>>>>> have it under control, http://2015.foss4g.org/about/codeofconduct/,
>>>>>> and there was nothing about a CoC in the bid.  We should be focusing
>>>>>> 2016 and beyond.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks for working on guiding this process Cameron.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best regards, Eli
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2015 at 3:12 AM, Cameron Shorter
>>>>>> <cameron.shorter at gmail.com <mailto:cameron.shorter at gmail.com>> 
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> Hi David,
>>>>>>> Thanks for starting this discussion. When you opened the
>>>>>>> discussion, you
>>>>>>> very kindly offered to help set a Code of Conduct in place. How 
>>>>>>> do you
>>>>>>> suggest we move toward concluding the discussion and getting a 
>>>>>>> Code of
>>>>>>> Conduct in place?
>>>>>>> Do you have a timeframe in mind for this? I assume we should try to
>>>>>>> make a
>>>>>>> CoC available for FOSS4G 2015 if they wish to make use of one?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Peter, thanks for you comments on proposed text.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is there anyone else with an interest in influencing the final
>>>>>>> text? If so,
>>>>>>> please speak up.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Which is the better version of a CoC?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 1. Prior foss4g: https://2015.foss4g-na.org/code-conduct
>>>>>>> 2. OReilly: http://www.oreilly.com/conferences/code-of-conduct.html
>>>>>>> (copied
>>>>>>> below)
>>>>>>> 3. My revised version (copied below)
>>>>>>> 4. Something else
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 19/01/2015 9:16 am, Cameron Shorter wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi David,
>>>>>>> I'm happy to move proposed CoC text across to a wiki. If requested,
>>>>>>> I'll
>>>>>>> copy across now (within 48 hours), or can wait till there has been
>>>>>>> further
>>>>>>> discussion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Also happy to expand the discussion to other lists, although I
>>>>>>> expect the
>>>>>>> conference committee is probably the logical primary point for
>>>>>>> discussion,
>>>>>>> as a CoC is most applicable to conferences. The board would need to
>>>>>>> sign off
>>>>>>> on a CoC and should be invited to comment.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Re identifying what should be in a code of conduct. I've attempted
>>>>>>> to start
>>>>>>> on that in the list of items I've attempted to address, listed 
>>>>>>> below.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have presented the draft CoC (below), as I find it is often 
>>>>>>> easier to
>>>>>>> start with a "straw man" which can be picked apart, rather than 
>>>>>>> talking
>>>>>>> vaguely in conceptual levels. However, I'm not wedded to the text,
>>>>>>> and hope
>>>>>>> to see constructive criticism of the ideas, text and structure.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 19/01/2015 3:46 am, David William Bitner wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I really want to thank everyone here for engaging in this issue. 
>>>>>>> I do
>>>>>>> appreciate all the different voices that have contributed to this
>>>>>>> conversation -- they all certainly speak to the diversity of
>>>>>>> thoughts and
>>>>>>> experiences that we already have in this community.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cameron -- thank you very much for putting forward a first draft 
>>>>>>> of a
>>>>>>> potential CoC for us to use. Before drafting and wordsmithing a CoC
>>>>>>> I want
>>>>>>> to step back and make sure we answer a few questions that would
>>>>>>> certainly
>>>>>>> impact how a CoC gets written. When we get to the point of 
>>>>>>> drafting, we
>>>>>>> should certainly do so on the wiki (or other trackable
>>>>>>> collaborative medium)
>>>>>>> rather than in an email thread.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> With some of the wording in this draft as well as seeing the
>>>>>>> discussion from
>>>>>>> the last Board Meeting, is the conference committee the correct
>>>>>>> venue for
>>>>>>> this discussion or should this be at the Board level so that this
>>>>>>> applies to
>>>>>>> all OSGeo activities (mailing lists, events, etc)? I am certain
>>>>>>> that many of
>>>>>>> the same people would remain engaged in helping draft a Code of 
>>>>>>> Conduct
>>>>>>> either for the foundation as a whole or just for our events, but 
>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>> certainly impacts the scope and wording required in a draft.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Many of the comments that I read as against having a CoC seem to
>>>>>>> stem from
>>>>>>> people wondering what does a CoC solve. Sadly, having a CoC does
>>>>>>> not "solve"
>>>>>>> anything. There will still be issues. A CoC simply provides one
>>>>>>> tool for us
>>>>>>> to help resolve those issues when they come up as well as 
>>>>>>> providing a
>>>>>>> proactive statement that we aim to be a welcoming and diverse
>>>>>>> community to
>>>>>>> hopefully prevent some of those issues in the first place. A CoC is
>>>>>>> not the
>>>>>>> end point of diversity initiatives, but it is a very low hanging
>>>>>>> fruit to
>>>>>>> start with. Other initiatives that I know have been tried that we
>>>>>>> should
>>>>>>> continue to look at their effectiveness include author blind public
>>>>>>> program
>>>>>>> review, scholarship initiatives, proactively seeking out diversity
>>>>>>> in key
>>>>>>> notes, and many more things that we haven't tried.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 18/01/2015 2:33 pm, Cameron Shorter wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Following on from this email thread, I've drafted a proposed 
>>>>>>> Code of
>>>>>>> Conduct, where I've aimed to address:
>>>>>>> * Be concise (concise words get read more)
>>>>>>> * Cover key messages
>>>>>>> * Include an escalation process for dealing with both minor and
>>>>>>> major issues
>>>>>>> * Ensure key terms are understood (in particular reference to
>>>>>>> definition of
>>>>>>> sexualised images)
>>>>>>> * Couch in positive language
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  Tickbox version:
>>>>>>> * I agree to act respectfully toward others in line with the OSGeo
>>>>>>> Code of
>>>>>>> Conduct.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> OSGeo Code of Conduct:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This Code of Conduct collates the collective values adopted by our
>>>>>>> OSGeo
>>>>>>> community which baselines the behaviour we do and don’t support to
>>>>>>> ensure
>>>>>>> OSGeo is a safe and productive environment for all.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We invite everyone to be respectful to all, regardless of race,
>>>>>>> gender, age,
>>>>>>> sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, national 
>>>>>>> origin,
>>>>>>> ethnicity, religion, or ideas. We do not tolerate harassment of
>>>>>>> others in
>>>>>>> any form. Examples of harassment include offensive comments, verbal
>>>>>>> threats
>>>>>>> or demands, sexualized images in public spaces, intimidation, 
>>>>>>> stalking,
>>>>>>> harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of 
>>>>>>> events, and
>>>>>>> unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention. [1]
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We expect all participants to follow the Code of Conduct when
>>>>>>> involved in
>>>>>>> OSGeo activities. This includes conferences, related social 
>>>>>>> events, and
>>>>>>> online forums. Participants violating this Code of Conduct will be
>>>>>>> asked to
>>>>>>> desist and/or make amends. For gross or continual violations,
>>>>>>> offenders may
>>>>>>> be expelled from the event or forum without a refund, and/or banned
>>>>>>> from
>>>>>>> future events or other forums.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Participants are encouraged to bring any concerns to the attention
>>>>>>> of event
>>>>>>> staff, the forum, forum leader, or OSGeo Board. We thank all for
>>>>>>> helping
>>>>>>> keep OSGeo welcoming, respectful, and friendly for all.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> [1] Examples of inappropriate sexualised environments are described
>>>>>>> here:
>>>>>>> https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/sexual-harassment-code-practice-what-sexual-harassment 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 10/01/2015 9:59 pm, Cameron Shorter wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Looking around at various Conference "Codes of Conduct", I found 
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> O'Reilly definition to be eloquently worded, and less 
>>>>>>> threatening to
>>>>>>> potential attendees. (Although I still can't find a clear 
>>>>>>> definition of
>>>>>>> "sexual images".)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.oreilly.com/conferences/code-of-conduct.html
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Code of Conduct
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> At O'Reilly, we assume that most people are intelligent and
>>>>>>> well-intended,
>>>>>>> and we're not inclined to tell people what to do. However, we want
>>>>>>> every
>>>>>>> O'Reilly conference to be a safe and productive environment for
>>>>>>> everyone. To
>>>>>>> that end, this code of conduct spells out the behavior we support
>>>>>>> and don't
>>>>>>> support at conferences. The core of our approach is this:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We don't condone harassment or offensive behavior, at our
>>>>>>> conference venues
>>>>>>> or anywhere. It's counter to our company values. More 
>>>>>>> importantly, it's
>>>>>>> counter to our values as human beings.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We're voicing our strong, unequivocal support of appropriate
>>>>>>> behavior by all
>>>>>>> participants at technical events, including all O'Reilly
>>>>>>> conferences. We
>>>>>>> invite you to help us make each O'Reilly conference a place that is
>>>>>>> welcoming and respectful to all participants, regardless of race,
>>>>>>> gender,
>>>>>>> age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, national
>>>>>>> origin,
>>>>>>> ethnicity, or religion. So that everyone can focus on the
>>>>>>> conference itself,
>>>>>>> and the great networking and community richness that happens when
>>>>>>> we get
>>>>>>> together in person, we will not tolerate harassment of conference
>>>>>>> participants in any form—in person or online.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Examples of harassment include offensive comments, verbal 
>>>>>>> threats or
>>>>>>> demands, sexualized images in public spaces, intimidation, 
>>>>>>> stalking,
>>>>>>> harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of 
>>>>>>> sessions or
>>>>>>> events, and unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We expect all participants—attendees, speakers, sponsors, and
>>>>>>> volunteers—to
>>>>>>> follow the Code of Conduct during the conference. This includes
>>>>>>> conference-related social events at off-site locations, and in 
>>>>>>> related
>>>>>>> online communities and social media. Participants asked to stop any
>>>>>>> harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Conference
>>>>>>> participants violating this Code of Conduct may be expelled from 
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> conference without a refund, and/or banned from future O'Reilly
>>>>>>> events, at
>>>>>>> the discretion of O'Reilly Media.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Please bring any concerns to the immediate attention of the event
>>>>>>> staff, or
>>>>>>> contact our VP of Conferences, Gina Blaber at gina at oreilly.com. We
>>>>>>> thank our
>>>>>>> participants for your help in keeping the event welcoming,
>>>>>>> respectful, and
>>>>>>> friendly to all participants.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Read the blog post by Tim O'Reilly that is the basis of our
>>>>>>> functional code
>>>>>>> of conduct for all O'Reilly conferences.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks to the Lean Startup folks and the jsconf.us folks, whose
>>>>>>> Codes of
>>>>>>> Conduct inspired some changes to our own.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>> Cameron Shorter,
>>>>>>> Software and Data Solutions Manager
>>>>>>> LISAsoft
>>>>>>> Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
>>>>>>> 26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>> Cameron Shorter,
>>>>>>> Software and Data Solutions Manager
>>>>>>> LISAsoft
>>>>>>> Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
>>>>>>> 26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>> Cameron Shorter,
>>>>>>> Software and Data Solutions Manager
>>>>>>> LISAsoft
>>>>>>> Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
>>>>>>> 26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Conference_dev mailing list
>>>>>>> Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org
>>>>>>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference_dev
>>>>>
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> Cameron Shorter,
>>>>> Software and Data Solutions Manager
>>>>> LISAsoft
>>>>> Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
>>>>> 26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
>>>>>
>>>>> P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com <http://www.lisasoft.com>,  F
>>>>> +61 2 9009 5099
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Conference_dev mailing list
>>>>> Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org 
>>>>> <mailto:Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org>
>>>>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference_dev
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Board mailing list
>> Board at lists.osgeo.org
>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Board mailing list
> Board at lists.osgeo.org
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
> _______________________________________________
> Board mailing list
> Board at lists.osgeo.org
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board

-- 
Cameron Shorter,
Software and Data Solutions Manager
LISAsoft
Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009

P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099

More information about the Board mailing list