Ted, Recently a member of GNHLUG approached me as a member of the Board of Directors on an issue of "harassment". It was felt by this member that a fellow member of GNHLUG was "harassing" them, finding fault with everything they said on the mailing lists and at meetings because of other issues, not because of the topic at hand.
This saddens me, because when we started GNHLUG fifteen years ago, we set a goal to create a welcoming environment. Unix had the image of "propeller head intellectuals only". We wanted Linux to be friendly, like Tux the penguin. We wanted to embrace everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, at any level of skill from novice to expert, without any regard to religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, political view, physical abilities or position in the economic scale. On the mailing list from time to time you will see "harassment" happening in the form of "Harassing Ben" or "Harassing maddog". These are not really meant as "harassment", but are simply good friends ribbing each other given their deep knowledge and respect. However, even these "ribbings" may have a detrimental effect on new members not joining, since they do not know the personalities or see the humor. Or the terms used in the joking "harassment" could hurt people for whom they were not directed. We do not want to turn the mailing list or the meetings into dry, humorless events, but we do want people to feel welcomed, and having personal attacks on people is not "welcoming". Therefore I ask the GNHLUG board to create a "Harassment Policy", effective immediately. I have crafted an initial draft of a policy which is attached for discussion and approval. Respectfully, Jon "maddog" Hall -- Jon "maddog" Hall Executive Director Linux International(R) email: mad...@li.org 80 Amherst St. Voice: +1.603.672.4557 Amherst, N.H. 03031-3032 U.S.A. WWW: http://www.li.org Board Member: Uniforum Association Board Member Emeritus: USENIX Association (2000-2006) (R)Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in several countries. (R)Linux International is a registered trademark in the USA used pursuant to a license from Linux Mark Institute, authorized licensor of Linus Torvalds, owner of the Linux trademark on a worldwide basis (R)UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the USA and other countries.
Policy on Harassment The Greater New Hampshire Linux User Group (GNHLUG) is intent on creating a welcoming environment for all of its members. Remarks should be directed toward the topic of the discussion, rather than the person discussing the topic. Members should understand that email (the bulk of our communication) is a toneless medium, normally lacking of emotion, and their idea of "gentle ribbing" may not be seen the same way by other people. Even when someone is not the target of this "gentle ribbing", the group may get a bad name. Members should also understand that we have a wide range of expertise and experience levels in our membership. Questions and statements that may seem simple or rhetorical may have been asked in all good faith, and should not be ridiculed. Since harassment is a problem that is often evidenced over time, and is difficult to define, people who feel they have been or are being harassed by an individual should contact one of the board members of GNHLUG and that board member will determine the steps to be taken. People who do not know what consitututes harassment may consult New Hampshire Title LXII of the Criminal Code, Chapter 644, Section 644:4 "Harassment". A link to this law may be found here: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/lxii/644/644-4.htm Special attention will be paid to issues of harassment due to issues of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, physical abilities, and other similar issues. Penalties may include being banished from the group permanently.
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