ACORN ASPIRATIONS CODE OF CONDUCT
Be respectful. Harassment and abuse are never tolerated. If you are in a situation that makes you uncomfortable at an Acorn Aspirations event, if the event itself is creating an unsafe or inappropriate environment, or if interacting with an Acorn Aspirations representative or event organizer makes you uncomfortable, please report it using the procedures included in this document.
Acorn Aspirations stands for inclusion and diversity. We believe that every single person has the right to hack in a safe and welcoming environment.
Harassment includes but is not limited to offensive verbal or written comments related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, 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. If what you’re doing is making someone feel uncomfortable, that counts as harassment and is enough reason to stop doing it.
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Sponsors, judges, mentors, volunteers, organizers, Acorn Aspirations staff and anyone else at the event are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, attendees should not use sexualised images, activities, or other material both in their hacks and during the event. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualised clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualised environment.
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, Acorn Aspirations may take any action Acorn Aspirations deems appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no eligibility for reimbursement or refund of any type.
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact Acorn Aspirations using the reporting procedures defined below.
Acorn Aspirations representatives will be happy to help participants contact campus security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.
We expect participants to follow these rules at all hackathon venues, hackathon-related social events, and on hackathon supplied transportation.
Reporting Procedures
If you feel uncomfortable or think there may be a potential violation of the code of conduct, please report it immediately using one of the following methods.
All reporters have the right to remain anonymous.
By sending information to the general reporting line, your report will go to any or all of the five Acorn Aspirations representatives listed below.
Elena Sinel: elena.sinel@acornaspirations.co.uk
Special Incidents
If you are uncomfortable reporting your situation to one or more of these people or need to contact any of them directly in case of emergency, direct contact details of our CEO, Elena Sinel, are listed below.
Elena Sinel: elena@acornaspirations.co.uk / 07780478616
Acorn Aspirations reserves the right to revise, make exceptions to, or otherwise amend these policies in whole or in part.
If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact Acorn Aspirations at hello@acornaspirations.co.uk
This guide was last updated on: June 14 2017