COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES: Throughout our work, the LGS Foundation is part of, supports, and directly works with many different communities. Within those communities, the LGS Foundation is committed to creating and maintaining an environment where everyone is welcomed, respected, and supported. We want our families, collaborators, employees, contractors, grantees and partners to have an opportunity to participate and contribute, and to be valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. The behaviors and practices in these guidelines reflect our LGS Foundation values as well as our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles — including a commitment to fostering truly inclusive work. As such, we hold ourselves accountable to these Community Participation Guidelines and expect all those who participate in the LGS Foundation communities to do the same – whether participating in an internal meeting, convening, workshop, online discussion, or other forum.
Our Behavior
Be Direct and Kind – We speak directly when we disagree and when we think we need to improve. We are kind in these interactions and communications. We aim to be direct, constructive and positive. One way to achieve being direct and kind is to assume good intent and listen actively before responding. We listen with our head and heart, and assure the head-heart connection before we speak.
Make Space – We value each other’s ideas, styles and viewpoints. We seek diverse perspectives. Diversity of views powers innovation. We are aware of how much time is taken up by dominant members of the group. If we find ourselves dominating a discussion, we recognize the need to step back and encourage other voices to join in. “Winning” is when different perspectives make our work richer and stronger.
Be Inclusive – LGS Foundation employees and community members come from many races, ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds. We are respectful of people with different cultural practices, attitudes, political affiliations and beliefs. We work to eliminate our own biases and prejudices. We think of others’ needs from their point of view. We create an environment where we can bring our whole self to our work – our professional self as well as much of our personal self as we each desire.
Take Responsibility & Stay Curious – We assume best intentions and take responsibility for our impact. We are aware of how intense interactions may affect other people. We do our best to stay curious and ask questions, and are open to the fact that we may not have all the information. If we have harmed someone through our words or actions, we listen carefully, apologize sincerely, and correct the behavior going forward.
Bring Solutions & Lead by Example – Our words and actions matter. By matching our actions with our words, we become examples others want to follow. When frustrations arise, we see it as our responsibility to be part of creating solutions. We design our community and our 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, or using vulgar, discriminating, intimidating, threatening or harassing language is not acceptable. Using derogatory language based on someone’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected class will not be tolerated. If you’re unsure if a word is derogatory, don’t use it.
Sexual Attention or Unwelcome Physical Contact – 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.
Breach of Confidentiality Obligations – Trust is at the core of our ability to collaborate and to advance our work. Improper access, use, disclosure, or sharing of confidential information will not be tolerated. If unsure, the expectation is that you ask before disclosing or using!
Violence or 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 in excess or misuse of prescription drugs (or use of illegal drugs) while working or participating in LGS Foundation 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
Obviously, we can’t outline every positive or unacceptable behavior or action. Please use good judgment and be courteous and professional, even in stressful situations. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and violation 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. For non-LGS Foundation employees, inappropriate behavior may be reported to the organization. For LGS Foundation employees, violation may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
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.
Guidelines inspired by https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/governance/policies/participation/ CC BY-SA 3.0
AUDIO/VISUAL WAIVER: By registering for the LGS Foundation’s Event or Activity, all participants, including speakers and attendees, agree to be photographed, filmed, recorded, or videotaped by an LGS Foundation representative and other business partners working with the Foundation. Participation in or attendance at this meeting constitutes the voluntary consent of the participant or attendee to: (a) be photographed, filmed, recorded, or videotaped by an LGS Foundation representative and other business partners working with the Foundation and (b) the reproduction, distribution, and use of all such photographs, digital images, films, voices, recordings, actions, names, and likenesses for any lawful purpose, including for use in publications, brochures, advertisements, promotional and marketing materials, and all other media venues including the World Wide Web, all without further notice or compensation to participant or attendee. I acknowledge that I may be photographed, filmed, or recorded during the meeting and that I have appropriate permission to share any information that I disclose during the meeting. I hereby release to the LGS Foundation and other business partners working with the LGS Foundation all proprietary rights and copyrights in all such photographs, digital images, voices, recordings, actions, films, and likenesses (including negatives, positives, and prints) which shall be and remain the property of the LGS Foundation and other business partners working with the LGS Foundation. I understand that these materials may be used in various publications, public affairs releases, recruitment materials, or for other related endeavors. These materials may also appear on the LGS Foundations and other business partners working with the LGS Foundation websites and other public social media sites. I further represent and warrant that I have permission to display and distribute any content I include in my presentation (e.g., slides, videos, photos) and grant the LGS Foundation and other business partners working with the LGS Foundation a non-exclusive license to use, copy, redistribute, publish, and display the content for non-commercial purposes consistent with the LGS Foundation’s mission. I expressly release the LGS Foundation and other business partners working with the LGS Foundation, its/their directors, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from any and all claims, including copyright, right of publicity, and right of privacy, arising out of any reproduction, broadcast, distribution, publication, or promotion of this meeting or the materials described above. By registering and attending the Event or Activity, I consent to the Audio/Visual Waiver.
COVID-19 POLICIES: The LGS Foundation will strictly follow COVID-19 safety procedures as outlined by our Event or Activity venue, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and any other governing Federal or local government agency. While attending the LGS Foundation Event or Activity, you will be required to support our COVID-19 Safety Measures, and strictly follow our COVID-19 policies and procedures. These COVID-19 policies and procedures may include but are not limited to personal sanitization, mandatory face covering, and social distancing. These policies and procedures may be modified at any time in advance of or during the Conference and are available at www.lgsfoundation.org/lgs-conference. I understand that my failure to abide by these policies will result in my removal from the event.
COVID DISCLAIMER: I agree not to travel to the event if I am not feeling well. I agree that if I am not feeling well on site, I will immediately return to my room and contact both the hotel front desk and the LGS Foundation to notify them. I also agree to follow all health and safety guidelines asked of me while at the event. By registering and attending the Event or Activity, I consent to the Covid-19 Policies.
WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/RELEASE OF LIABILITY: COVID-19 WARNING, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION FOR ATTENDING THE LGS FOUNDATION EVENT OR ACTIVITY, WARNING RELATED TO COVID-19 INFECTION* The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic and is very contagious. COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death. The LGS Foundation has taken and will continue to take all reasonable precautions to prevent against the presence and spread of the disease but cannot and does not guarantee against exposure; and therefore, in choosing to attend Event or Activity you acknowledge that you are assuming a risk that you may be exposing yourself to COVID-19 and its potential health risks. ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I have read and understand the above warning concerning COVID-19. I acknowledge that attending the Event or Activity is of value to me and that I accept the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 in order to attend. Therefore, I choose to accept the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and I agree that I am personally responsible for my safety and actions while attending Conferences. WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/ RELEASE OF LIABILITY: I, for myself, my family, successors, and assigns hereby forever release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the LGS Foundation, its board of directors, board members, officers, agents, servants, affiliates, employees, successors, and assigns (collectively the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever, directly or indirectly arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me related to COVID-19 while participating in any activity associated with the Conference. INDEMNIFICATION: I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, claims, lawsuits, judgments, losses, and/or liabilities (including attorney fees) arising either directly or indirectly from or related to any and all claims made by or against any of the Released Parties due to bodily injury, death, loss of use, monetary loss, or any other injury from or related to my attendance at Conference specifically related to COVID-19. By registering and attending the Conference, I consent to the Waiver of Lawsuit and Release of Liability.
Updated 9/7/22