Welcome to The FOSS Club! As a community centered around Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), we believe in fostering an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment for everyone. This Code of Conduct outlines the standards and expectations for everyone participating in the club, including board members, sponsors, volunteers, contributors, and event attendees. By engaging with The FOSS Club, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.
The goal of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that our community remains a respectful and inclusive space for learning, collaboration, and sharing. Everyone, regardless of their background or experience level, should feel welcomed and valued.
This Code of Conduct applies to all individuals who participate in any activity related to The FOSS Club, including:
- Club members
- Board members and leadership
- Event speakers and organizers
- Volunteers
- Contributors to our projects
- Attendees at events or meetups
- Sponsors and partners
By being part of The FOSS Club, you are contributing to our community’s values, and it is essential that we all strive to uphold the principles of mutual respect, professionalism, and collaboration.
Our community thrives on professional, respectful, and positive interactions. Whether communicating in person, online, or through written communication, all participants are expected to:
- Use appropriate, professional language.
- Avoid excessive use of informal elements, such as GIFs, memes, or emojis in formal conversations, discussions, or club channels.
- Maintain a friendly but respectful tone, particularly when providing feedback, engaging in debates, or participating in discussions.
While fun and lighthearted exchanges are welcome in informal settings, professionalism must be maintained in club channels or during official events.
We are committed to ensuring that The FOSS Club is an inclusive space for individuals from all walks of life. Treat everyone with respect, regardless of their:
- Age
- Gender identity or expression
- Sexual orientation
- Race, ethnicity, or nationality
- Disability or medical condition
- Religion or spiritual beliefs
- Socio-economic background
- Level of experience or expertise
- Physical appearance, body size, or personal characteristics
- Marital or familial status
- Education or employment status
- Immigration status
- Veteran status
Discrimination, harassment, or exclusionary behavior based on any of these characteristics is unacceptable.
Harassment, intimidation, or any kind of threatening behavior will not be tolerated. Examples of unacceptable behavior include:
- Sexualized language or imagery, including inappropriate jokes or comments.
- Unwelcome attention or inappropriate contact, whether in person or online.
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking, either physically or digitally.
- Persistent disruption of discussions, meetings, or presentations.
- Targeted harassment, bullying, or attempts to undermine another member’s participation.
If any participant feels uncomfortable or threatened by the behavior of others, they should report the incident to club leadership immediately.
All communication within The FOSS Club should be respectful, constructive, and inclusive. This includes:
- Ensuring that conversations stay on topic and contribute meaningfully to discussions.
- Avoiding personal attacks or insults during disagreements or debates.
- Avoiding the use of exclusionary, offensive, or derogatory language.
Harmful language that targets a person or group, such as racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist language, is not allowed under any circumstances.
The FOSS Club encourages collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. Be supportive of others’ learning journeys, and be patient with those who may have less experience. In our community:
- Constructive feedback should be offered when requested, and should be presented in a clear, helpful manner.
- If disagreements arise, they should be handled respectfully and with a focus on resolving the issue rather than attacking the individual.
- Teamwork and cooperation should be prioritized over personal competition or one-upmanship.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that the environment is positive and that everyone has the opportunity to learn, contribute, and grow.
We expect all participants to contribute positively to the community. Disruptive behavior or attempts to monopolize discussions, meetings, or events will not be tolerated. This includes:
- Repeated interruptions or off-topic comments during presentations or talks.
- Overpowering discussions or attempting to dominate decisions.
- Unwelcome promotions, self-advertisements, or solicitation without prior consent from club leadership.
Behavior that detracts from the community’s purpose or undermines the experience of others will be addressed by moderators or club leaders.
The FOSS Club may engage with the broader online community through social media and other platforms. Participants are expected to adhere to the following guidelines when representing or discussing The FOSS Club online:
- Uphold the same level of respect and professionalism as expected in person.
- Avoid posting content that could be considered discriminatory, offensive, or harmful to others.
- Refrain from making personal attacks, inflammatory statements, or sharing unverified information.
Social media should be used as a tool for positive communication, collaboration, and sharing within the broader FOSS community.
If you experience or witness any violations of this Code of Conduct, it is important to report the incident as soon as possible. Reporting is a crucial part of maintaining the safety and inclusivity of our community. Here’s how you can report an issue:
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Email: Please send an email to fossclub@proton.me with a detailed description of the incident. Include relevant information such as where and when the incident occurred, the people involved, and any witnesses.
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Phone: If urgent, contact us at +918979843626.
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In-person: If attending an event, you can report the issue directly to a board member or the faculty coordinator, Ms. Eirtty Telang.
All reports will be handled with discretion and confidentiality. We are committed to ensuring that complaints are taken seriously and that appropriate actions are taken to address the issue.
Participants who are found to be in violation of this Code of Conduct may face consequences based on the severity of the behavior. Possible actions include:
- A warning from moderators or leadership.
- Temporary or permanent removal from events, discussions, or club channels.
- A ban from The FOSS Club’s activities and future participation.
We reserve the right to take further action as necessary to maintain a safe and positive environment for all.
This Code of Conduct is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 Unported License. It is derived from the GNOME Code of Conduct, with adaptations specific to The FOSS Club’s values and community standards.
Thank you for being part of The FOSS Club and for contributing to a respectful, collaborative, and inclusive community. We appreciate your efforts to uphold these standards and look forward to working with you to make our community even better.