Code of conduct

HaggisRuby 2024 exists to help foster a Ruby and Ruby on Rails community in Scotland that is welcoming to all and supports the learning and growth of all participants, be that a seasoned developer or someone beginning their journey. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly and safe environment for all, regardless of their gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, religion, age, socioeconomic status, or any other identifying characteristic. We will ensure HaggisRuby 2024 remains a safe space, free from harassment of any kind.

This Code of Conduct explains our expectations for participant behaviour as well as the consequences for unacceptable behaviour.

We require all those who attend to agree and adhere to this Code of Conduct and we invite all sponsors, volunteers, speakers, attendees, and other participants to help us realise a safe and positive conference experience for everyone.

Expected behaviour

• Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.
• Engage in thoughtful, constructive, and respectful communication with others, even when disagreeing.
• Be inclusive and help new perspectives be heard.
• Be open to learning from others.
• Be open to different ideas, perspectives, and opinions, even if they differ from your own.
• Refrain from demeaning, offensive, disrespectful, or harassing behaviour and speech.
• Be considerate and patient when offering or seeking assistance.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert conference organisers if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
• The venue may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all location users.

Unacceptable behaviour

Unacceptable behaviours include, but aren’t limited to: intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning conduct.

Harassment includes but is not limited to:

• offensive verbal comments related to any identifying characteristic,
• sexual language,
• Sexualised images in public spaces, slides or other material
• sexist, racist, and exclusionary jokes,
• acts that insult or belittle others in any way,
• deliberate intimidation, trolling, stalking or following,
• unwarranted photography or recording,
• sustained disruption of event programming,
• inappropriate physical contact, and
• unwelcome sexual attention.

Consequences of unacceptable behaviour

Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated whether by attendees, organisers, venue staff, sponsors, or other users of the HaggisRuby 2024 venue.

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

If a participant engages in unacceptable behaviour, the conference organisers may take any action they deem appropriate. These actions include, but are not limited to, issuing a warning or expulsion from the conference without refund.

How to report

If you are subject to unacceptable behaviour, notice that someone else is being subject to unacceptable behaviour, or have any other concerns, please notify a conference organiser as soon as possible.

The HaggisRuby 2024 team will take all appropriate actions to mitigate risk factors and will be available to help anyone affected contact venue security or local law enforcement, to provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing unacceptable behaviour to feel safe for the duration of the conference.

Any volunteer can connect you with a conference organiser. Volunteers and organisers will be identifiable by their conference branded t-shirts.