Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behavior we expect from everyone involved in Balean, including team members, partners, collaborators, and users of our platform. By participating in our ocean sustainability community on Discord, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

We value your contribution and we hope you will welcome other members with an open mind as well.

Our Standards

Balean’s community standards are based on our values.

1. Be Respectful: Treat others with kindness, empathy, and understanding.
2. Keep it Civil: Avoid using language or tone that might be perceived as aggressive, discriminating, condescending, or dismissive.
3. Accountability and Transparency: Be honest and open in your actions, take responsibility for your contributions, and strive to foster an environment of trust.
4. Constructive Feedback and Improvement: Focus on helping each other grow and improve rather than discouraging others.
5. Focus on the Issue: Engage in constructive discussions without resorting to personal attacks or inflammatory rhetoric.
6. Respect Diverse Perspectives: Recognize and appreciate differing viewpoints while maintaining a commitment to respectful dialogue.

Our Responsibilities

As a member of the Balean community, we are committed to providing an environment that is:

1. Safe: Welcoming and free from harassment, hate speech, and other forms of unacceptable behaviour.
2. Inclusive: Welcoming individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
3. Respectful: Fostering a culture where all members feel valued, heard, and respected.

To achieve this goal, we:

1. Monitor community interactions: Regularly review online discussions to ensure they align with our Code of Conduct.
2. Address concerns promptly: Respond quickly to reports of unacceptable behaviour or other issues that may impact the community’s well-being. Balean holds the right to remove content that is against Balean’s Code of Conduct.
3. Foster open communication: Encourage members to share their thoughts, ideas, and respect each other’s opinions, perspectives, and dignity.

Unacceptable Behaviour

1. Harassment: No form of harassment, including but not limited to:
   • Verbal abuse
   • Threats
   • Intimidation
2. Hate Speech: Language or behaviour that discriminates against individuals based on their identity (e.g., race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities).
3. Unwelcoming Behaviour: Dismissive or exclusionary behaviour, or making others feel unwelcome contradicts our standard of inclusivity.
4. Spamming: Posting excessive content with the intention of disrupting discussions.
5. Advertisement: Posting advertisement for other initiatives than Balean, being commercial or non-commercial, without notice and written approval by Balean.

Reporting Incidents

If you experience or witness any behaviour that doesn’t align with this Code of Conduct, please report it by:

1. Reaching out directly: Contacting the individual involved (if comfortable doing so).
2. Using our reporting mechanism: Utilizing Balean’s designated reporting system to alert moderators.

All reports will be handled with confidentiality and with the safety and well-being of our community members as a priority.

Consequences

Repeated instances of unacceptable behaviour may result in consequences such as:

1. Temporary or permanent suspension: Restricting access to specific features, forums, or the entire community.
2. Removal from roles: Revoking responsibilities related to community management and content curation.

By adhering to this Code of Conduct, we can foster a positive environment that encourages collaboration, learning, and growth within our ocean sustainability community.

Acknowledgement

By participating in Balean’s online forums or engaging with the platform, you acknowledge having read and understood these guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns about this Code of Conduct, please don’t hesitate to reach out.