Code of Conduct

A primary goal of AWS Community is to be inclusive to the largest number of contributors, with the most varied and diverse backgrounds possible. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment of community participants in any form.

This code of conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in our community, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior.

We invite all those who participate in AWS Community Day to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.

All attendees, speakers, sponsors and volunteers at our events and online forums are required to agree with the following code of conduct. Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody.

The following behaviors are expected and requested of all community members:

1. Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of this community.
2. Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
3. Attempt collaboration before conflict.
4. Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
5. Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct, even if they seem inconsequential.
6. Remember that community event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.

The following behaviors are considered harassment and are unacceptable within our community:

1. Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
2. Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.
3. Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.
4. Posting or threatening to post other people's personally identifying information ("doxing").
5. Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.
6. Inappropriate photography or recording.
7. Inappropriate physical contact. You should have someone's consent before touching them.
8. Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping, and unwelcomed sexual advances.
9. Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in person).
10. Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
11. Sustained disruption of community events, including talks and presentations.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, technology choices, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Sponsors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, sponsors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment.

No weapons will be allowed at AWS events, community spaces, or in other spaces covered by the scope of this Code of Conduct. Weapons include but are not limited to guns, explosives (including fireworks), and large knives such as those used for hunting or display, as well as any other item used for the purpose of causing injury or harm to others. Anyone seen in possession of one of these items will be asked to leave immediately, and will only be allowed to return without the weapon. Community members are further expected to comply with all state and local laws on this matter.

Unacceptable behavior from any community member, including sponsors and those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated.

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.

If a community member engages in unacceptable behavior, the community organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the community without warning (and without refund in the case of a paid event).

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of community staff immediately. Community staff can be identified at in-person events and are listed on our website.

If we believe you breached this Code of Conduct, we may prohibit you from attending future AWS events and programs, online forums, and social media platforms, and we may remove any content you created in violation of this Code of Conduct. Additionally, if we believe that you breached this Code of Conduct in the context of an AWS event or program, we may require you to leave the AWS event or program. If we require you to leave an AWS event, you will not be eligible to receive a refund of any fees paid to us related to the event. All determinations are at our sole discretion. We will involve law enforcement if we deem appropriate.

If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify a staff as soon as possible or via staff@awscommunity.co.za. All reports will be handled with discretion and confidentiality.

In your report please include:

1. Your contact information
2. Names (real, nicknames, or pseudonyms) of any individuals involved
3. Description of the behavior
4. If ongoing, location of the current situation
5. If this is a no-risk situation, any identifying information for the involved parties
6. If you believe this incident is ongoing
7. Any additional information that may be helpful

After filing a report, a representative will contact you personally. If the incident is ongoing and needs to be addressed immediately, please say so in your report. The representative will then review the incident, follow up with any additional questions, and make a decision as to how to respond.

Additionally, community organizers are available to help community members engage with local law enforcement or to otherwise help those experiencing unacceptable behavior feel safe. In the context of in-person events, organizers will also provide escorts as desired by the person experiencing distress.

If you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct, you should notify the staff of AWS Community with a concise description of your grievance. Your grievance will be handled in accordance with our existing governing policies.

These same principles and guidelines apply to our online community spaces:

Technical Content Guidelines

1. Respect intellectual property rights and provide proper attribution
2. Do not post malicious code or links to inappropriate content
3. Commercial promotion should be kept to appropriate channels as designated by organizers

Communication Guidelines

1. Be clear and constructive when providing feedback
2. Stay on topic in designated discussion areas
3. Share knowledge generously and acknowledge contributions of others
4. Keep confidential information private
5. Be respectful of others' views even when they differ from your own
6. Give everyone an opportunity to express themselves

We expect all community participants (contributors, paid or otherwise; sponsors; and other guests) to abide by this Code of Conduct in all community venues--online and in-person--as well as in all one-on-one communications pertaining to community business.

This code of conduct and its related procedures also applies to unacceptable behavior occurring outside the scope of community activities when such behavior has the potential to adversely affect the safety and well-being of community members.

For questions or concerns about this code of conduct, please contact our staff at staff@awscommunity.co.za