SNAC Cooperative Code of Conduct
How to Be
SNAC is dedicated to providing collaborative experiences and opportunities that are free from all forms of harassment, and inclusive of all people. Small actions you can take will help us meet this goal. For instance, we suggest:
- listening as much as you speak, and remembering that colleagues may have expertise you are unaware of;
- encouraging and yielding the floor to those whose viewpoints may be under-represented in a group;
- using welcoming language, for instance by using an individual’s stated pronouns and favoring gender-neutral collective nouns (“people,” not “guys”);
- accepting critique graciously and offering it constructively;
- giving credit where it is due;
- seeking concrete ways to make physical spaces and online resources more universally accessible; and
- staying alert, as Active Bystanders, to the welfare of those around you.
Likewise, it is important to understand the range of behaviors that may constitute harassment.
Harassing behavior may relate to
- age;
- appearance or body size;
- employment or military status;
- ethnicity;
- gender identity or expression;
- individual lifestyles;
- marital status;
- national origin;
- physical or cognitive ability;
- political affiliation;
- sexual orientation;
- race; or
- religion.
Harassment can include unwelcome or offensive verbal or written comments or nonverbal expressions, used in person or online, in private or in public.
Examples of harassment can include:
- use of sexual and/or discriminatory images in public spaces (including online);
- deliberate intimidation;
- stalking;
- following;
- trolling;
- harassing photography or recording;
- sustained disruption of talks or other events;
- bullying behavior;
- inappropriate physical contact; and
- unwelcome sexual attention.
Sexual, discriminatory, or potentially triggering language and imagery is generally inappropriate for any SNAC venue. However, this policy is not intended to constrain responsible scholarly or professional discourse and debate. We welcome engagement with difficult topics, done with respect and care.
We value your presence and constructive participation in our shared community, and thank you for your attention to the comfort, safety, and well-being of fellow SNAC colleagues and members of the special collections community.
What to Do
SNAC will not tolerate harassment of its community members in any form. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please reach out to a working group chair, Jerry Simmons, Operations Coordinator (jerry.simmons@nara.gov) or Daniel Pitti, Director (dpitti@virginia.edu).
Source of inspiration
This Code of Conduct is adapted, with gratitude, from the PACSCL Code of Conduct and Digital Library Federation (DLF) Code of Conduct.
