Inclusivity, Anti-Harassment, & Greivance Policies

We expect members, guests, and visitors to follow these rules at Quelab, Quelab-affiliated events held elsewhere, and Quelab-related social events. Quelab is committed to being an inclusive community.

Let it be known that if issues arise, we would rather resolve them and keep you, rather than brush your concerns under the rug. If a situation arises, try to resolve it. If you need help resolving it, please ask!

• Respect people’s personal space. Ask before touching another person, and interpret the absence of a clear “yes” as a “no”. Abide by it.
• When Quelab members and guests express a limit on the amount or type of socializing they wish to do with you, abide by that limit.
• It is OK to express the socializing limits that you have. Please communicate those limits.
• Be familiar with what constitutes harassment as outlined in the harassment policy, and act accordingly.

Quelab is dedicated to providing a harassment-free hackerspace experience for everyone. We do not tolerate harassment in any form of members, guests, or visitors. For example, sexual language and sexually explicit imagery is not appropriate for any Quelab space, including Quelab-affiliated events, and Quelab-related social events. Members, guests, and visitors violating these rules may be expelled from the space or event at the discretion of the Directors.

Harassment covers a wide range of behaviours of an offensive nature. It is commonly understood as behaviour intended to disturb or upset, and it is characteristically repetitive. In the legal sense, it is intentional behaviour which is found threatening or disturbing. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexually explicit images and language in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome attention sexual or otherwise. False and misleading accusations can be viewed as harassment. Members, guests, and visitors asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

In an emergency, please call 911. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact the Board immediately. You can reach us at: board@quelab.net If for any reason you wish to make your report privately to an individual director, you have the right to do so.

Quelab will be happy to help participants contact local law enforcement, provide escorts, call taxis, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe at our space and events. We value our visitors and members.

This anti-harassment policy is based on the example policy from the Geek Feminism wiki, created by the Ada Initiative and other volunteers.

Rather than stop visiting the space, Quelab members and guests are urged to report violations of policy to the board, with the assurance that they are committed to have your back and take you seriously.

1. If desired, and agreed to by all parties, the board will first attempt to mediate any dispute. Additionally, any time that a board member deems it is necessary to address an incident of improper behavior, the board will investigate, which may include contacting the other party.
2. If a member engages in harassing or otherwise inappropriate behavior, Quelab Directors may take any action they deem appropriate, including but not limited to:
   1. censure,
   2. expulsion from the space,
   3. and/or termination of membership.
3. The board will be respectful of the confidentiality of the identity of all parties involved in a complaint, except as necessary to investigate and address an incident. If requested, strict confidentiality can be maintained for the complainant. While that information will be taken into consideration if other complaints are received, it can’t be acted on alone.
4. The secretary will keep a private record of complaints and penalties, accessible by the board.
5. The Board makes a commitment to respond promptly to complaints.
   1. If made by email, you can expect an initial response within 2 business days.
   2. If made in person, you can expect that the matter will be passed on to the rest of the board within 2 business days.
   3. The board commits to resolving the matter within 45 days or at the next board meeting, whichever is soonest.

Use either of these methods to gather the information to file a grievance, in either hard copy or use the online form.

• Printable Grievance Form (.pdf file - Use this form to gather the information needed to file a grievance)
• Online Google Form to start a grievance