We have a Code of Conduct for participants to follow while interacting with anyone on our mentoring programmes.

Canterbury Tech runs these programmes. If you need to get in touch, email MentorProgramme@canterburytech.nz

Our pledge

In the interest of fostering an open and welcoming environment, we as participants and coordinators of the Canterbury Tech Mentor Programme pledge to making participation in our programme and our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body size, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, level of experience, nationality, personal appearance, race, religion, or sexual identity and orientation.

Our standards

Examples of behaviour that contributes to creating a positive environment include:

• Using welcoming and inclusive language.
• Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences.
• Gracefully accepting constructive criticism.
• Focusing on what is best for the community.
• Showing empathy towards other community members.

Examples of unacceptable behaviour by participants include:

• The use of sexualised language or imagery and unwelcome sexual attention or advances.
• Trolling, insulting/derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks.
• Public or private harassment.
• Publishing others’ private information, such as a physical or electronic address, without explicit permission.
• Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting.

Our responsibilities

Programme coordinators are responsible for clarifying the standards of acceptable behaviour and are expected to take appropriate and fair corrective action in response to any instances of unacceptable behaviour.

Programme coordinators have the right and responsibility to ban temporarily or permanently any participant for behaviours that they deem inappropriate, threatening, offensive, or harmful.

Scope

This Code of Conduct applies both within online programme spaces, such as the Canterbury Tech Mentor Programme’s website or in private communication with Canterbury Tech Mentor Programme participants, and in public spaces when an individual is engaged in the programme, for example at the Canterbury Tech Mentor Programme’s meetups, or participating in a one-on-one mentoring session.

Support during the programme

If we are challenged by anything we experience during the programme and feel like we need further support, all participants agree that details can be shared with the programme coordinators, who will treat all information confidentially and provide guidance to the best of their ability.

In the case that we learn an illegal act has been committed, that someone is about to commit an illegal act, or we believe a mentor or mentee may be in immediate danger, we will report this to a relevant authority.

Confidentiality

Confidential matters may be discussed in mentoring sessions. As participants, we do not share any details that are personal to our mentor or mentee, or their current or past organisations, apart from when we need the support of the Canterbury Tech Mentor Programme coordinators as described above.

Enforcement

Instances of abusive, harassing or otherwise unacceptable behaviour may be reported by contacting the coordinator team at MentorProgramme@canterburytech.nz. All complaints will be reviewed and investigated and will result in a response that is deemed necessary and appropriate to the circumstances. The coordinator team is obligated to maintain confidentiality with regard to the reporter of an incident. Further details of specific enforcement policies may be posted separately.

Coordinators who do not follow or enforce the Code of Conduct in good faith may face temporary or permanent repercussions as determined by other members of the programme’s leadership.

Attribution

Thanks to Roger Nesbitt who provided the original document. This Code of Conduct is based on the Contributor Covenant, version 1.4, available at http://contributor-covenant.org/version/1/4.