HarassmentPolicy

This page is for developing the encompassing anti-harassment policy.

Why and How

(From Valerie Aurora)

• State explicitly that harassing behavior by attendees is not permitted and will result in expulsion
• Publish the anti-harassment policy in the program
• Mention the policy in the opening announcements
• List the people to notify when an incident happens: Specific member of conference organizing committee, local police, hotel security, venue security
• Establish a specific policy like first offense, warning, second offense, banned for life
• Arrange for escorts if the offender hasn't left the con

Specific Areas to Cover

Speaker Policy

• Current policy is the 2nd paragraph in http://www.ohiolinux.org/speakerinfo.html

Expo Floor Policy

• Something should be added to the expo agreement.

• We've never had booth babes but we did have a project who used a desktop theme that included a swimsuit model. I (BLE) gave the project a stern talking to but we do need to be proactive about this.

Attendee Policy

• Only the board members of the Ohio LinuxFest Corporation are "members" of our non-profit organisation. Everyone else is a guest at the pleasure of the board, We may reject a registration or eject an admitted attendee.

Media Source Policy

• We do not currently work with fark.com or opensourc3. It is time that we document in policy form as to why.

Current Statement

• In http://www.ohiolinux.org/about.html
• The Ohio LinuxFest is dedicated for making Open Source truly open to everyone. We do not discriminate based on ethnic background, religion, gender, sexuality, body shape, disability, or even what operating system you use. We also do not tolerate harassment based on discrimination.

Tentative Statement(s)

The Long Version

• The Ohio LinuxFest is dedicated to making Open Source open to everyone and the conference a safe place for all. We do not discriminate based on ethnic background, religion, gender, sexuality, body shape, disability, or even what operating system you use. We do not tolerate harassment based on discrimination.

• We insist that all participants and attendees adhere to a civil demeanor at all times. This includes refraining from inappropriate language, comments and behaviour. This includes, but is not limited to: sexually oriented language and images, unwanted attention, threatening behaviour, physical assault.

• We refuse to work with businesses who openly tolerate discrimination or harassment of others, or display inappropriate images or language. Sponsors in our Expo are also held to this standard.

• Participants, sponsors or attendees who are being harassed, intimidated, or are dealing with otherwise improper behaviour are encouraged to report it immediately to an official Ohio LinuxFest staff member. Staff members are identified by the differently colored event shirts, and are trained to contact the appropriate people to handle the situation quickly.

• Alternate methods of reporting issues include:
  • email olf-security@ohiolinux.org
  • call our toll free number (866-I-FORGET) and select option NUMBER
  • if the problem occurred in the Greater Columbus Convention Center, you may reach their security staff at NUMBER
  • Call the local Columbus police department at NUMBER

• Anyone who is found to be in violation of this policy may be handled in any one or more of these methods, depending on the offense:
  • warning
  • expulsion (see below)
  • contacting of the police

• Actions stronger than a warning will be taken at the discretion of two or more of a) the Security Chair, b) The Conference Chair, c) A member of the Ohio LinuxFest Board of Directors.

• False reports will be treated harshly. Personal disputes should be handled privately, unless actual harassment occurs.

• The Ohio LinuxFest reserves the right to remove any participant, sponsor or attendee at any time if it is believed their actions and/or behaviour are against this policy. Should this occur, any monies given or paid to the Ohio LinuxFest will be forfeit.

This policy covers all organized events for the Ohio LinuxFest, including social events.

The Short Version

(can be printed in the program, etc.)

The Ohio LinuxFest is dedicated to making Open Source open to everyone and the conference a safe place for all. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on it. We insist that all participants and attendees adhere to a civil demeanor. This includes refraining from inappropriate language, comments and behaviour. This policy covers all organized events for the Ohio LinuxFest, including social events. The Ohio LinuxFest reserves the right to remove any participant, sponsor or attendee at any time if it is believed their actions and/or behaviour are against this policy.

Generic Statement(s)

These are frameworks from which other conferences can develop their own policy.