CODE OF CONDUCT

Tech for Campaigns sits at the intersection of technology and politics, and as such, we have an amazing opportunity to challenge the status quo in both of these powerful, far-reaching spheres. That opportunity extends beyond our work on political campaigns. It’s also about challenging existing values and norms, and about setting an example with the way we run the organization and work together as a community.

Our volunteer community is core to the work we do. It is of the utmost importance to us that every single Tech for Campaigns community member feel safe, secure, and respected in this community.

We stand for mutual respect, honesty, and inclusivity, and it’s imperative that all of our on- and offline interactions reflect those values.

Mutual Respect

• Approach discussion and debate with an open mind. We truly encourage healthy debate, but that means that if you disagree with someone, you need to ask questions that will help you understand their point of view.
• Respect everyone’s right to mental and physical safety. Do not share comments or ideas that are obscene, threatening, or hateful, or that could otherwise be reasonably expected to make another community member uncomfortable.
• Respect everyone’s time and focus. Share content that is relevant to the TFC community and our mission as an organization. That means not sharing anything salesy, repetitive, or promotional of your own company, books, blog, social profiles, etc. that doesn’t genuinely relate to the work TFC is doing.
• Protect your fellow community members. If you see inappropriate content, or behavior give someone feedback or notify us by emailing concerns@techforcampaigns.org right away.

Honesty

• Be who you say you are. We are working on serious, real-world issues, and deceiving or misleading teammates with regards to your identity or beliefs is unacceptable.
• Own what you say, write, and share. You are accountable for your words and for the impact they have on others. Anonymity is appropriate in some communities, but this is not one of them.
• Give credit where credit is due. We encourage you to share great ideas and feed off each other. If an idea isn’t your own, just say so, and give the creator appropriate credit.

Inclusivity

• Celebrate diversity. We need people from many different backgrounds to come together to accomplish our common goals. Refrain from  sharing comments or ideas that target fellow community members based on class, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, weight, or disability.
• Help others grow. We are all here to learn, and we all have skills and knowledge to share. Support your fellow community members by sharing experiences, lessons learned, and explanations. Ask and answer questions generously and with respect.
• Have fun. We work better together, and our community is more welcoming, when we keep things in perspective. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Remember to laugh and enjoy one another’s company.

We have zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment of any kind. We take reports of discrimination and harassment very seriously and investigate them thoroughly. If we determine that an individual has engaged in any behavior that targets another community member based on their class, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, weight, or disability, or that threatens another community member’s physical or mental safety, we will immediately dismiss that individual from any work they are doing and from the TFC community.

If you observe discrimination or harassment, we want you to let us know. You can report problems by emailing concerns@techforcampaigns.org—this address is checked only by TFC’s founders, and all reports will be kept confidential.

Individuals engaged in behavior that calls into question their commitment to these guidelines and to the community may be removed from our community. We reserve the right to immediately remove any content that violates these guidelines from Slack, community forums, or other public community spaces.

Thank you for helping us build a vibrant, energetic community that can make a real impact in our country and in the world. You are the core of TFC, and we are deeply grateful for your contributions and engagement.

Sign up to volunteer, learn more about Tech for Campaigns, or meet our founders. We welcome ideas and suggestions related to building our community; feel free to reach out to community@techforcampaigns.org to share your thoughts.