With those communities, CMS is committed to creating and maintaining an environment where everyone is, and feels welcomed, respected, and supported. We want members to have an opportunity to participate and contribute and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. As such, we have adopted this Code of Conduct and Community Participation Guidelines and require all those who participate in CMS communities, our members and our partners, to adhere to these guidelines.

Expected Behavior 

Be Direct and Kind – We must be able to speak directly when we disagree and when we think we need to improve. Be kind in these interactions and communications. Be direct, constructive and positive. One way to achieve being direct and kind is to assume that you do not know someone else’s intent and listen actively before responding.

Make Space – Value each other’s ideas, styles and viewpoints. Seek diverse perspectives. Diversity of views powers innovation. Be aware of how much time is taken up by dominant members of the group. If you find yourself dominating a discussion, it is especially important to step back and encourage other voices to join in. As a reminder, the goal is not to “win” an argument. “Winning” is when different perspectives make our work richer and stronger.

Be Inclusive – CMS members and community members come from many cultures and backgrounds. Be respectful of people with different cultural practices, attitudes and beliefs. Work to eliminate your own biases and prejudices. Think of others’ needs from their point of view.

Take Responsibility – Be open to different possibilities and to potentially being wrong. Be aware of your impact and how intense interactions may affect other people. If you harmed someone through your words or actions, listen carefully, apologize sincerely, and correct the behavior going forward.

Bring Solutions & Lead by Example – Your words and actions matter. By matching your actions with your words, you become a person others want to follow. Be part of creating solutions. Design your community and your work for positive behavior and hold others accountable.

Behavior That Will Not Be Tolerated

Personal Attacks – Conflicts will inevitably arise, but frustration should never turn into a personal attack. It is not okay to insult, demean or belittle others. Attacking someone for their opinions, beliefs and ideas is not acceptable. This includes sustained “talking over” or “heckling” of speakers.

Derogatory Language – Hurtful or harmful language is not acceptable. This includes deliberately referring to someone by a gender that they do not identify with, and/or questioning the legitimacy of an individual’s gender identity. If you’re unsure if a word is derogatory, don’t use it.

Unwelcome Sexual Attention or Physical Contact– Unwelcome sexual attention or unwelcome physical contact is not acceptable. This includes sexualized comments, jokes or imagery in interactions, communications or written materials, as well as inappropriate touching or sexual advances.

Violence and Threats of Violence – Violence and threats of violence are not acceptable – online or offline. This includes incitement of violence toward any individual, including encouraging a person to commit self-harm.

Intoxication – Drinking alcohol or using prescription drugs to excess (or use of illegal drugs) while working or participating in CMS communities, or pushing others to do so, or making derogatory comments about those who abstain from alcohol or other substances is not acceptable.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Inappropriate behavior from any CMS employee or community member will not be tolerated. Violation of these guidelines can result in you being asked to leave an event or online space, either temporarily or for the duration of the event, or being banned from future events and activities. CMS members may be subject to further consequences, such as removal from communities and events.

Reporting

Your notification of any concerns is essential to us. We cannot help resolve a problem unless we know about it. Therefore, please bring any concerns to our attention as soon as possible so that we can take whatever steps are necessary to address the situation.

To discuss any concerns about this meeting, please reach out to any of the following members of our management team:

Florine Schmidt –florine@cmsymposium.com
Alex Shirazi – alex@cmsymposium.com
Cyrus Manjooran – cyrus@cmsymposium.com