CAS Online Code of Conduct
The Canberra Astronomical Society Inc. (CAS) community is made up of a mixture of people from all walks of life, and with different interests, capabilities, and life experience. Despite our differences, we share in common an interest in astronomy and related disciplines.
Participating in CAS can be an immensely rewarding experience, but as in any organisation there is the potential for disagreement between members. To ensure that all CAS online spaces are safe and enjoyable for all CAS members, we have a few ground rules that we ask people to adhere to. This Code of Conduct applies equally to committee members and regular members.
By participating in a CAS online space you are agreeing to abide by the CAS Online Code of Conduct.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of things that you can’t do. Rather, take it in the spirit in which it’s intended—a guide to make it easier to enrich all of us and the astronomical community in which we participate.
This code of conduct applies to all online spaces managed by the Canberra Astronomical Society. This includes this website, website comments, and website discussion forums, the CAS mailing list, social media channels, and any other online spaces created by the CAS committee which CAS members use for communication.
If you believe someone is violating the code of conduct, we ask that you report it to a committee member, or by emailing admin@casastronomy.org.au.
Be friendly and patient
This is the bedrock of an enjoyable, welcoming community.
Be welcoming
We strive to be a community that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to members of any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, colour, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability.
Be considerate
Your contributions will be read and experienced by other people, and you in turn will read and experience the words of others. Remember that we’re a diverse community, so you might not be communicating in someone else’s primary language.
Be respectful
Not all of us will agree all the time, but disagreement is no excuse for poor behavior and poor manners. We might all experience some frustration now and then, but we cannot allow that frustration to turn into a personal attack. It’s important to remember that a community where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not an enjoyable or welcoming one. Members of the CAS community should be respectful when dealing with other members as well as with people outside the CAS community.
Be careful in the words that you choose
Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other participants. Harassment and other exclusionary behavior aren’t acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Violent threats or language directed against another person.
- Discriminatory jokes and language.
- Posting sexually explicit or violent material.
- Posting (or threatening to post) other people’s personally identifying information (“doxing”).
- Personal insults, especially those using racist or sexist terms.
- Unwelcome sexual attention.
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
- Repeated harassment of others. In general, if someone asks you to stop, then stop.
When we disagree, try to understand why
Disagreements, both social and technical, happen all the time and CAS is no exception. It is important that we resolve disagreements and differing views constructively. Remember that we’re different. Different people have different perspectives on issues. Being unable to understand why someone holds a viewpoint doesn’t mean that they’re wrong. Don’t forget that it is human to err and blaming each other doesn’t get us anywhere, rather offer to help resolving issues and to help learn from mistakes.
Credit
This Code of Conduct is adapted from Django Code of Conduct.