Code of Conduct

Purpose of this Code of Conduct

OKFI is a wide and loose community of volunteers from various backgrounds and points of view. This is a strength but it can also cause misunderstandings and distracting conflicts.

The purpose of this Code of Conduct and its principles is to ease conflicts and empower the community.

Additionally, we have guidelines for a conflict resolution process and for consequences of misbehavior, as well as instructions for implementing them in events.

Principles

People

in the OKFI network and membership balance these principles:

Culture of respect and trust

  • Assume good faith by all parties
  • Debate on issues, not on people
  • Behave cordially
  • Respect everyone’s effort and time 
  • Many people volunteer while some may be paid: be thankful for all contributions.

Diversity and inclusion

  • Value and encourage participation by everyone, as long as it’s respectful and constructive.
  • Ask, do not assume (e.g. gender, ability, culture, expertise …)

Community first

  • Gather and value opinions and contributions from all participants
  • All activities should further the mission of OKFI
  • Use the OKFI brand and name with care.
  • All positions of trust come with requirements on transparency

Mindful participation

  • Participate according to space and event (channels, spoken and written forms of communication)
  • Foster together the constructive atmosphere of all environments.
  • Give physical and mental safe space to enable openness.

OKFI

as an organization balances these principles:

  • Transparent to allow trust and accountability.
  • Reflective practice
  • We learn from our activities on all levels
  • Mistakes are a great opportunity to learn and improve
  • If we’re not enjoying what we’re doing, the processes should change 
  • Democratization of decision-making
  • The ones who take the risk make the decision.
  • Purposeful action
  • Focus on and respect the purpose of each channel, space and event
  • Things have their place and time A place and time for everything

Conflict resolution process

In case of severe misunderstandings, the best first action is to widen the communication channel (meet face to face, video call, phone call), as textual communication has a tendency of aggravating misunderstandings.

OKFI has named contact people in the organization (and events and central communication channels) who are available to:

  • receive complaints and calls for help as a first point of contact.
  • help with the conflict resolution process.

Escalating steps of conflict resolution

  1. The parties in conflict attempt to come to a resolution privately among themselves.
    One party makes a clear request (not a judgment, not a demand), and the other person has to respond clearly to the request (with a “yes,” a “no,” or a counterproposal).

If a resolution is not achieved:

  1. If the conflict is limited to the context of a project or similar group, the group will formulate a resolution (through a consent-based decision process).

If this resolution is not accepted by all parties:

  1. An independent person is nominated by the parties and OKFI named contacts to resolve the conflict confidentially.

If this resolution is not accepted by all parties:

  1. The issue is escalated to the OKFI board who give a ruling (remembering privacy issues in their deliberation and documentation).

Consequences of misbehaviour

If a person is misbehaving, and is violating the principles outlined in the approved Code of Conduct, the following measures can be used, in order.

  1. Anyone noticing this misbehavior is entitled to mention this in a constructive manner, assuming best intentions and that the misbehavior is a mistake.
  2. The situation is explained to OKFI’s negotiation people, who can take the following steps.
  3. A private notification
  4. A public warning
  5. Temporary ban to OKFIs communication platforms (Slack, blog, news letter, mailing lists, etc). This ban should include a note (usually via email) that includes instructions for the person to file a complaint to the board of OKFI.

Official members of the association

According to section 4 of the rules of the association (okf.fi/saannot), a member cannot act against the goals, rules, interests or values of the association. In extreme cases, the board of the association can terminate the membership of a member.

Compensated and salaried staff

People have agreed to follow and respect this code of conduct when they have signed a contract. In cases of misconduct, in addition to the generic consequences, the supervisor must intervene in their capacity as the supervisor, following the laws of employment of Finland. In extreme cases, the contract of the violator may be terminated according to law.