The WordCamp Europe code of conduct serves to set expectations around acceptable and unacceptable behavior at our event. In short, we want to create an environment where everybody feels safe and welcomed. Please read the full version of the Code of Conduct our website.
Code of Conduct breach / incident
When we talk about a Code of Conduct breach, we mean to say that someone didn’t behave according to the code of conduct. There are several types of breaches: verbal, physical and written. And all can be intentional or unintentional.
(Potential) Code of conduct breaches will be handled by the Code of Conduct Response Team. But since you, as a volunteer, are most visible on the floor, people will probably come to you to report an incident.
How to handle an incident report
When someone comes to you to report an incident (a potential code of conduct breach), we want you to do the following:
- Inform the response team (RT) where you need them.
- If you have a phone you can use, call or send a text message to the RT phone number (will be communicated here later) to share the location you need their presence at. Usually, that’s your current location.
- If you do not have a phone, or you can’t call or send text messages with it to a Serbian number, go to your team lead and inform them that you need the RT at your location. They will use your station’s walkie-talkie to contact the RT and send them to you.
- Stay with the person reporting the incident.
If the place where you are does not feel safe to them, escort them to the Organisers’ Room. - Wait for the RT to arrive and take over from you.
Do not try to resolve the situation or handle it on your own. The response team had special training to handle these situations, so simply wait for them. - Report to your lead that you’re available again to continue your task.
How to act if you witness an incident
It’s possible that you see an incident happen. If that happens, please follow these steps:
- Inform the response team (RT) where you need them and if you need venue security.
- If you have a phone you can use, call or send a text message to the RT phone number (will be communicated here later) to share the location you need their presence at. Usually, that’s your current location.
- If you do not have a phone, or you can’t call or send text messages with it to a Serbian number, go to your team lead and inform them that you need the RT at your location. They will use your station’s walkie-talkie to contact the RT and send them to you.
- Make sure everyone is physically safe, if you are able to.
- Try to remember the names of the people involved.
Do not take pictures of badges or post anything on social media. - Stay with the victim of the incident.
If the place where you are does not feel safe to them, escort them to the Organization room. - Wait for the RT to arrive and take over from you.
Do not try to resolve the situation or handle it on your own. The response team had special training to handle these situations, so simply wait for them. - Report to your lead that you’re available again to continue your task.
Aftercare
Witnessing an incident or being the first to whom an incident is reported can be (mentally) hard. If at any point you feel you need to talk to someone about what you experienced or how it’s affected/touched you, please reach out to Remkus de Vries by Slack DM (@remkus), or in person.