Code of conduct

(Adapted from the Glasgow in 2024 Code of conduct)

Introduction

TLV2027 aims to build a community for all fans, and Codes of Conduct (COC) help to make an inclusive community. With that in mind, please take a moment to review our Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy. This Code seeks to create safer space by discouraging anti-social behaviour and helping everyone to feel comfortable.

This Code applies to the TLV2027 Worldcon Bid Team in all our interactions (face to face and online) with each other and the general public. (Bid Team here refers to anyone involved in the Bid or who volunteers to help at a TLV2027 Bid activity – such as fan tables, parties and outreach events.)  It also guides us as to the behavioural standards we hope to see from those attending our events, and how to act when these are not met.

The Code is a living document and we expect it to change over time to reflect changes in and beyond fandom as well as the convention ethos. We welcome feedback and suggestions for improvement; please feel free to contact us at contact@sf-f.org.il

Credit where it’s due: this Code of Conduct is loosely based on Geek Feminism’s example anti-harassment policy, created by volunteers, as adapted for the Dublin 2019 Worldcon.

Bid vs. Convention

 We have chosen to implement a Code of Conduct from the start of our Bid to underline our commitment to safe spaces and inclusion. As part of this we are setting standards and expectations for the behaviour of our staff and implementing processes that we can develop and expand over time. However, there are important differences between operating as a Bid and as a Convention.

  • As a Bid, we will often be active (e.g. running parties) at other conventions, who will have their own Codes. We will comply with those Codes and associated processes (e.g. for Incident Reporting). We will maintain our own processes for events and activities which are not covered by host event Codes in this way.
  • As a Convention, one typically asks members to accept the Code as part of their registration. As a Bid, we will often be dealing with people who have not made such a commitment to us and may not be familiar with our Code. We will engage with problem behaviours in a way which reflects this reality.

How can I help?

  • Read and follow this Code of Conduct. Ask your friends to read it as well.
  • Ask first! The easiest way to avoid issues is to check before doing something, and it only takes a moment.
  • Remember that the Bid Team and the people we interact with come from all over the world; cross-cultural misunderstanding can easily happen, so consider this in your humour and interactions, both online and in-person.

Expectations and Policy

Everyone involved with TLV2027 is expected to show respect towards other Bid Team members, as well as venue staff, the general public, and the various communities associated with the convention or event taking place. TLV2027 aspires to be a convention that welcomes people of all ages; children will be present at many events and in open spaces, so please consider this in your conduct.

TLV2027 is committed to providing a harassment-free bid and convention experience for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual identity or sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability, physical ability or appearance, race, age, religion, or fiction/fandom preferences (this list is not exhaustive).

We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Behaviour that will be considered harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Unwelcome physical contact
  • Unwelcome sexual attention
  • Comments intended to belittle, offend, or cause discomfort
  • Misgendering or deadnaming
  • Photographing or videoing members without their consent
  • Treating cosplay/costumes as consent for contact or interaction
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events
  • Sexually graphic or otherwise inappropriate images in public spaces
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour
  • Microaggressions.

Anti-Racism Statement

Racism is present across all sections of society, including our own fannish communities. TLV2027 is committed to being as close to oppression free as possible, and central to this is our policy on racism, including prejudice, bias, the expression of privilege, aggressions, and microaggressions. This includes contributions made in discussion sessions and also things said to and about other TLV2027 Bid Team members as well as members of the public.

During the bid process we want to ensure no one is talked over, ignored, or dismissed. We are committed to making TLV2027, should we become a seated Worldcon, as accessible as we can to people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Incidents and Reporting – Bid Team Members

TLV2027 Bid Team members are bound by the Codes of Conduct of any events we attend. You should always follow the reporting procedures set out in those Codes of Conduct in the first instance.  You may additionally choose to make a report via the TLV2027 process. This will allow us to keep track of issues and spot repeat offenders.

Issues arising at our own events or online should always be reported via the TLV2027 process.

You can report harassment or other Code of Conduct violations by email to contact@sf-f.org.il. Anyone who feels the Code of Conduct has been violated by a Bid Team member may use this method of reporting at any time. This address will be continuously monitored throughout the bid.

What Happens if You Make a Report?

Our main reporting method is via email. Once you submit a report, our Listener Team will respond to you as quickly as possible. They may follow up with you to gain a better understanding of the issue, and what you would like to happen next. We understand reporting can be upsetting, and we aim to handle the process as respectfully as possible and try to support you. The Listener team will proceed at their discretion, based on the content, context and wishes expressed in your email.

The Listener Team is a group of people whose mandate is to receive reports on potential violations of the Code of Conduct. They can escalate issues appropriately, discuss them in a totally confidential manner, and/or act as mediators, according to the wishes of the person raising the issue.

However you report an issue, you won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we will do our best to protect your identity if we take action as a result of your report. Details of your complaint will only be disclosed to the team or Committee members who are dealing with it. We will keep you advised of the progress we’re making in handling the issue, and of any action we decide to take. We will take your views into account when deciding on that action.

The TLV2027 team has the right to take any actions needed to keep our bid, spaces and events welcoming for all. Measures taken may include warning the offender, mediating solutions between parties, or taking any other action the team considers necessary.

Behaviour at TLV2027 Events

We will actively monitor and act to ensure that attendees at our events (particularly bid parties) meet the standards set out in this Code. We understand that this sometimes needs a more immediate intervention than provided for by the full reporting process.

  • We will explicitly assign accountability for Code of Conduct compliance to an appropriate Bid Team representative at each event
  • We expect attendees to behave and drink responsibly and engage respectfully at all times. We will reinforce this with our signage and other communications
  • In the event of inappropriate behaviour, we will speak to the individual(s) concerned. Depending on the nature of the incident, and the views of those they have affected, we may:
  • ask them to modify their behaviour;
  • ask them to leave the event;
  • and if appropriate, support a report under the host convention’s Code
  • We reserve the right to deny entry to individuals who we believe are unable to reliably abide by the expected standards of behaviour.

Blocking Policy for Social Media

The decision to block any individual from our social media feeds is not something Glasgow in 2024 would ever make lightly. However, there are instances where this course of action is necessary to provide our volunteers with a safe and supportive working environment, or to ensure virtual bid spaces remain a safe and welcoming space for all. Individuals may be blocked for the following reasons:

  • Breaking any of the elements of the CoC when engaging with the Social Media platforms (which are extensions of the bid space).
    This applies both to direct engagements with our social media accounts and to engagements with other users in virtual bid spaces.
  • Patterns of repeated disruptive or bad faith engagements with our social media accounts and/or other users in our virtual bid spaces.
  • Repetitive messaging engagements through social media rather than the appropriate channels for formal complaints, requests for information etc., once those channels have been made available to you and engaged with.

We will attempt to communicate with any individual if they infringe this policy and again prior to formally blocking them.