Code of Conduct
An inclusive environment
Our conferences are an inclusive environment, based on treating all individuals respectfully, regardless of gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability (physical or mental), nationality, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), physical appearance, lifestyle choices, software preferences, or other dimensions of diversity.
We are intentionally positive conferences. We recognize and celebrate the creativity and collaboration of independent creators, as well as the diversity of people, cultures, and opinions they bring to our community.
Simply put: we value respectful behavior above individual opinions.
This Code of Conduct outlines our expectations as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior. All participants of our conferences must adhere to this code of conduct.
1. Respectful behavior includes
A great conference experience starts with how we treat each other. We expect all participants to:
• Be considerate, kind, constructive, and helpful.
• Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior and speech.
• Ask, don’t assume: If you’re not sure about something, just ask instead of making a guess.
• Alert conference organizers if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
2. Unacceptable behavior
To keep our space safe and welcoming, we do not tolerate harassment or demeaning conduct. This includes:
•Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning conduct by any attendees of DPC and related events.
•Offensive or disrespectful comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, mental illness, physical appearance, race, religion or disability.
•Unwelcome comments regarding a person’s lifestyle choices and practices, including those related to food, health, parenting, drugs and employment.
•Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides).
•Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following.
Harassing photography or video recording, including logging online activity for harassment purposes.
•Sustained disruption of talks or other events.
•Inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention.
•Wearing clothing that is not suitable for a professional work environment, that is provocative or otherwise potentially offensive.
•Failure to obey any rules or regulations of the venue.
3. Scope of this code of conduct
We expect all conference participants (organizers, sponsors, venue staff, volunteers, speakers, attendees, and other guests) to abide by this code of conduct at all conference venues and conference-related social events.
4. Apologize for mistakes (The “Human” Rule)
No one is perfect, and even well-intentioned people make mistakes. Should you catch yourself engaging in unacceptable behavior, or be confronted as such:
• Own it: Own up to your words and actions.
• Apologize: A sincere apology goes a long way, regardless of your original intent.
• Learn: What matters is how you handle the mistake and avoid repeating it in the future.
5. We’ve got your back
If you experience unacceptable behavior and feel in any way unable to respond or resolve it respectfully, please immediately bring it to our attention. We want to hear about anything that you feel is disrespectful, threatening, or just “icky” in any way.
• Contact Staff: Any member of the staff wearing a black Dawn Technology shirt can assist you. You can find them around the venue, at the registration desk or at the information table. They will in turn get you in contact with one of our Code of Conduct Guardians.
• Digital Reach: You can email us at conferences@dawn.tech, find and DM staff members on our Dawn Conferences slack (find people with [Dawn Technology] behind their name) or DM us at https://x.com/dpcon.
All concerns shared with us will be kept confidential. We will listen and work to resolve the matter, whether that means providing an escort, contacting venue security, or simply providing a safe space.
6. Consequences
We seek to resolve conflicts peacefully and in a manner that is positive for the community. However, unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. Consequences for failing to comply with this policy may include:
•A request for an apology or a formal warning.
•Temporary or permanent expulsion from the event without a refund.
Participants warned to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Failure to do so will result in an escalation of consequences.
7. Thanks
Thank you to every attendee for helping making our conferences the respectful and inclusive conferences that they are.
8. Credit
This Code of Conduct is created by Dawn Technology and has used bits and pieces of many other Codes of Conduct. It is therefore distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license so others can re-use this Code of Conduct as they see fit.
