Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

A primary goal of the Oklahoma Board Game Community is to be inclusive to the largest number of contributors, with the most varied and diverse backgrounds possible. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and religion (or lack thereof).

This code of conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in our community, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior.

We invite all those who participate in the Oklahoma Board Game Community to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.

2. Expected Behavior

The following behaviors are expected and requested of all community members:

  • Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of this community.
  • Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
  • Attempt collaboration before conflict.
  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct, even if they seem inconsequential.
  • Remember that community event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.

Community members are also expected to respect the property of other members including their board games, tokens, cards and gaming accessories.

3. Unacceptable Behavior

The following behaviors are considered harassment and are unacceptable within our community:

  • Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
  • Illegal activity, such as theft.
  • Offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, body size, race, age, regional discrimination, political or religious affiliation
  • Unwelcome comments regarding a person’s lifestyle choices and practices, including those related to food, health, parenting, drugs, and employment
  • Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.
  • Posting or threatening to post other people’s personally identifying information (“doxing”).
  • Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.
  • Inappropriate photography or recording.
  • Inappropriate physical contact. You should have someone’s consent before touching them and stop after a request to stop.
  • Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping, and unwelcomed sexual advances.
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in person).
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
  • Sustained disruption of community events, including talks and presentations.

4. Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior from any community member, including sponsors and those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated.

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.

If a community member engages in unacceptable behavior, the community organizers may take action.  Responses may include:

  • Doing nothing if we determine no violation has occurred
  • A private or public reprimand / warning of violating the code of conduct
  • A request for an apology, private or public
  • A temporary or permanent ban from our community events (and without refund in the case of a paid event)
  • A temporary or permanent ban from the location/venue.
  • Reporting to law enforcement or other appropriate authority.

5. Reporting Guidelines

If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify a community organizer as soon as possible. You can report inappropriate behavior you witnessed or experienced here. All reports will be handled with discretion.

When notifying an organizer please include your contact information, the names of those involved and if there were any additional witnesses. Tell us your account of what occurred, if you believe the incident is ongoing and any additional information that may help.

After notifying an organizer, they will review the incident, with another organizer if possible, follow up with any additional questions and make a decision as to how to respond. If the person who is harassing you is an organizer they will not handle your incident

Additionally, community organizers are available to help community members engage with local law enforcement or to otherwise help those experiencing unacceptable behavior feel safe. In the context of in-person events, organizers will also provide escorts as desired by the person experiencing distress.

6. Addressing Grievances

If you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct, you should notify Mike Dattolo or Adam Roach with a concise description of your grievance. Community organizers will review the grievance and notify the reporter of a resolution.

7. Scope

We expect all community participants (contributors, paid or otherwise; sponsors; and other guests) to abide by this Code of Conduct in all community venues–online and in-person–as well as in all one-on-one communications pertaining to community business.

This code of conduct and its related procedures also applies to unacceptable behavior occurring outside the scope of community activities when such behavior has the potential to adversely affect the safety and well-being of community members.

The code is not a rulebook or exhaustive, it serves to distil our common understanding of this community. We expect it to be followed in spirit as much as in the letter.

8. Contact Information

You may contact us through our contact form.

9. License and Attribution

This Code of Conduct is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license.