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Code of conduct

DarkSky (formerly the International Dark-Sky Association) is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, gender expression, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, or physical appearance. We are united by DarkSky’s values, and we celebrate our unique differences.

We put forth this code of conduct because we believe in the already exceptional level of respect among the chapters and volunteers. We believe that articulating our values and accountabilities to one another reinforces that respect and provides us with clear avenues to correct our culture should it ever stray. We commit to enforce and evolve this code as our team grows.

This Code of Conduct applies to interactions in our shared professional lives, including daily office encounters, shared online spaces (e.g. Workplace), social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), conferences, or other events.

Expected behaviors:

  • Communicate respectfully with all colleagues, regardless of their title. Be mindful of remote (text, email, Slack, etc.) communication, where opportunities of misunderstanding are greater. Use video communication when it makes sense; face-to-face discussions allow for all social cues that may be absent with other remote forms of communication.
  • Behave in a way that does not offend, intimidate, degrade, insult, or humiliate others. This includes jokes, banter, ridicule, or taunts.
  • Be generous in both giving and accepting feedback. Feedback is an important part of our culture. Good feedback is kind, respectful, clear, and constructive, and focused on goals and values rather than personal preferences.
  • Understand and act upon the fact that what may be acceptable to one individual may not be to another.
  • Challenge poor practice in others, helping to promote good practice and create change (e.g. don’t ignore inappropriate banter, jokes, etc.)
  • Commit to self-improvement.  If you are approached as having acted in a way that has offended another, listen with an open mind and do better.

Unacceptable behaviors:

The DarkSky community is committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for all. Discrimination and harassment are expressly prohibited. Furthermore, any behavior or language that is unwelcoming — whether or not it rises to the level of harassment — is also strongly discouraged.