Code of Conduct & Anti-Harassment Policy
Boston New Technology is dedicated to providing a harassment-free and inclusive event experience for everyone regardless of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, neurodiversity, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, nationality, race, age, religion, or other protected category. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Boston New Technology takes violations of our policy seriously and will respond appropriately.
All participants of Boston New Technology hosted or co-hosted events and meetup group members must abide by the following policy:
Be excellent to each other. We want the event to be an excellent experience for everyone regardless of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, neurodiversity, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, nationality, race, age, religion, or other protected category. Treat everyone with respect. Participate while acknowledging that everyone deserves to be here -- and each of us has the right to enjoy our experience without fear of harassment, discrimination, or condescension, whether blatant or subtle. Jokes shouldn’t demean others. Consider what you are saying and how it would feel if it were said to or about you.
Speak up if you see or hear something. Harassment is not tolerated, and you are empowered to politely engage when you or others are disrespected. The person making you feel uncomfortable may not be aware of what they are doing, and politely bringing their behavior to their attention is encouraged. If a participant engages in harassing or uncomfortable behavior, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning or expelling the offender from the event with no refund. If you are being harassed or feel uncomfortable, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the event staff immediately.
Harassment is not tolerated. Harassment includes, but is not limited to: verbal language that reinforces social structures of domination related to gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, neurodiversity, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, nationality, race, age, religion, or other protected category; sexual imagery in public spaces; deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; offensive verbal language; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Practice saying "Yes and" to each other. It’s a theatre improv technique to build on each other’s ideas. We all benefit when we create together.
This policy extends to talks, forums, workshops, messaging/chat systems, social media, parties, hallway conversations, all attendees, partners, sponsors, volunteers, event staff, etc. Boston New Technology reserves the right to refuse admittance to, or remove any person from, any Boston New Technology hosted or co-hosted event (including future Boston New Technology events) at any time in its sole discretion. This includes, but is not limited to, attendees behaving in a disorderly manner or failing to comply with this policy, and the terms and conditions herein. If a participant engages in harassing or uncomfortable behavior, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning or expelling the offender from the event with no refund.
Our zero tolerance policy means that we will look into and review every allegation of violation of our Event Community Guidelines and Anti-Harassment Policy and respond appropriately. Please note, while we take all concerns raised seriously, we will use our discretion as to determining when and how to follow up on reported incidents, and may decline to take any further action and/or may direct the participant to other resources for resolution.
Event staff will be happy to help participants contact host/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing discomfort or harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.
Exhibiting partners, sponsors or vendor booths, or similar activities are also subject to this policy. In particular, exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment. Participants and exhibiting partners or sponsors disobeying this policy will be notified and are expected to stop any offending behavior immediately.
Why this policy is important
Harassment at events and in online communities is unfortunately common. Creating an official policy aims to improve this by making it clear that harassment of anyone for any reason is not acceptable within our events and communities. This policy may prevent harassment by clearly defining expectations for behavior, aims to provide reassurance, and encourages people who have had bad experiences at other events to participate in ours.
License and attribution
This policy is licensed under the Creative Commons Zero license. This policy is based on and influenced by several other community policies including: Ohio LinuxFest Anti-Harassment policy, Con Anti-Harassment Project, Geek Feminism Wiki (created by the Ada Initiative), ConfCodeofConduct.com, JSconf, Rust, Diversity in Python, and Write/Speak/Code.
Attending Events & Photography/Video Recording:
To attend Boston New Technology (BNT) events, your full name and valid email must be submitted when you register for a ticket. Registrants and their guests (collectively, “Attendees”) who attend BNT events agree to hold harmless and indemnify the BNT Organizers against any and all claims and actions brought by Attendees from harm suffered at an event, including, without limitation, expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any liability, suit, action, loss, or damage arising or resulting from the Attendee’s attendance of a BNT event. By sending an affirmative RSVP, Attendees thereby acknowledge that they are willingly assuming any and all risks associated with attendance of a BNT event, and will hold BNT Organizers harmless against any and all harm which may arise due to said attendance. Attendees also agree to be contacted directly by BNT and subscribed to BNT's weekly email newsletter and event announcements, which they can unsubscribe from at any time. Attendee contact information will never be shared with other parties, except if specified on the terms for the bottom of event listings and ticket purchase pages.
When you attend a Boston New Technology event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur.
By entering the event premises or joining BNT's online event, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, or any other purpose by Boston New Technology and its affiliates and representatives. You release Boston New Technology, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings.
By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Boston New Technology or the person or entity designated to do so by Boston New Technology.
You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.
VIP Membership Terms
People who purchase a VIP membership (collectively, “VIP Members”) agree to hold harmless and indemnify the Boston New Technology (BNT) Organizers against any and all claims and actions brought by VIP Members from harm suffered at any event hosted or promoted by BNT, including, without limitation, expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any liability, suit, action, loss, or damage arising or resulting from the VIP Member’s attendance of such events. Tickets to BNT events are guaranteed to be available to VIP Members before they are made available to the general public. Members may have as little as one week to register and save their spot. Also, members should arrive within the first half hour of any event to ensure entry, or notify the organizers about their late arrival. To gain entry to BNT events, you will generally need to show valid photo identification. Some event venues may require attendees to be at least 21 years of age. VIP Members also agree to be contacted directly by BNT and subscribed to BNT's weekly email newsletter and event announcements, which they can unsubscribe from at any time. VIP Member contact information will never be shared with other parties.