Renaissance Society Code of Conduct

Revision 2024

The Renaissance Society is dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all people, regardless of background or identity. By participating in activities and events sponsored by the Renaissance Society, participants accept to abide our Code of Conduct and accept the procedures by which any Code of Conduct incidents are resolved. The Renaissance Society does not tolerate behavior that is disrespectful or that excludes, intimidates, or causes discomfort to others. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on characteristics that include, but are not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, citizenship, nationality, ethnic or social origin, pregnancy, familial status, veteran status, genetic information, religion or belief (or lack thereof), membership of a national minority, property, age, education, socio-economic status, technical choices, and experience level.

Everyone who participates in workshops, forums and presentation activities is required to conform to this Code of Conduct. It applies to all spaces managed by or affiliated with the Renaissance Society. Program hosts/leaders are expected to assist with the enforcement of the Code of Conduct. By participating, participants and program leaders indicate their acceptance of the procedures by which the Renaissance Society resolves any Code of Conduct incidents,

Standards of Conduct

All participants in our events and communications are expected to show respect and courtesy to others. All interactions should be professional regardless of platform: either online or in-person. In order to foster a positive and professional learning environment we encourage the following kinds of behaviors in all RS events and platforms:

• Use welcoming and inclusive language and discussion.
• Be respectful of different viewpoints and experiences.
• Gracefully accept constructive criticism
• Show courtesy and respect towards RS members and guests!

Unacceptable Conduct

Examples of unacceptable behavior by participants at any RS Programs include:

• Engage in written or verbal comments which have the effect of excluding people on the basis of membership of any specific group.
• Silence, prevent, or limit participation of members.
• Cause someone to fear for their safety such by stalking, following, or intimidation.
• violent threats or language directed against another person.
• the display of sexual or violent images
• nonconsensual or unwelcome physical contact
• sustained disruption of talks, events, or communications
• Using insults. put downs, sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, disability discrimination, or exclusionary jokes
• excessive swearing
• continuing to initiate through actions or interaction (including photography or recording) someone after being asked to stop
• publication of public or private communication without consent

Consequences of Unacceptable Conduct

Purported violations should be reported to the Renaissance Society Program Committee Chair. If the Program Committee Chair determines that the violation cannot be resolved by verbal communication, the issue will be submitted to the Program Committee for further investigation and arbitration. Members are asked to stop any code of conduct violations as determined by the Program committee immediately. In serious circumstances where a resolution cannot be accomplished or violations continue, a member may be asked to leave the event or program. In the case of unresolved violation(s) by program leader(s), the Program Chair will report such violations to the full Renaissance Board which may impose appropriate sanctions such as non-acceptance for the RS Catalog of Programs and or denial of sanctioning by the Renaissance Society..