NDC COMMUNITY CODE OF CONDUCT
The NEAR Ecosystem is an open place where anyone can contribute by active or passive participation, regardless of age, race, location, experience, gender, personality, and religion.
These codes apply anywhere you work or deal with members of the NEAR community, and are balanced with a trust in the good intentions of our community members. These spaces are defined as:
- Online spaces: the Governance Forum, Discord, Telegram, Reddit, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc.
- NEAR events, off and in-person events
- Working with other community members virtually or in-person
- When speaking of the NEAR Ecosystem in open spaces
- When representing the NEAR Ecosystem at offline and in-person events
To achieve this, it is necessary to have a safe ground for all, and hence, we see that everyone should consider and agree to adhere to the following conduct guidelines:
USE OF LANGUAGE
In dealing with people all around the world, we have to be cautious of the use of language as many unharmful methods of speech arenāt bad in some areas but bad in others. A community member MUST use a moderate method of speech in dealing with others.
BEING CONSTRUCTIVE
Every member of the community must take into account that people could get offended by your method of presentation. Hence, apologies as needed, and take corrections for future purposes.
ACCOUNTABILITY
You must learn to accept that every member of the community holds every other person accountable for actions and answers to unclear situations. Hence, you have to do well to answer respectably.
BE ON POINT BUT REMAIN DECENT
While working, reporting, and answering others can be difficult as people respond to things differently, it is required that you can still present your view, and speech in fairness of speech and not react to how things are thrown at you. This will make it easier for even others to understand you better.
CARRY EVERYONE ALONG
It is proven that two heads are better than one. Hence, lean to NOT always feel to be right, even though you think you are. Remember that diversity brings better and faster growth.
Learn to allow others to present their views regardless of what you think. This will help others grow and meet up the pace with you as time gives us all a chance.
ABILITY TO SPEAK AND BE SILENT
While speaking is a choice, being silent is also. Remember that you can choose not to speak on a matter at all (NOT WHEN YOU HAVE TO REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY). This could be due to a sensitive discussion or one that could get you off your decency in speech. You are free to let the community know and be silent for the time you feel like it.
NO ASSUMPTIONS
You should not think everyone will always talk, or address issues the way you will. Even when you are wrong or they are.
Also, try not to assume the worst of people. If someone is offering a suggestion or some piece of advice, keep an open mind instead of jumping on the defensive in order to allow for instances of collaboration and growth.
DO AS YOU SAY
As we pursue the NEAR future, you should always lead the activity of transparency as you demand others this will make things easy for others to follow good examples. Growth cannot be achieved with just positive vibes by words and no suitable actions.
VIOLENCE
NEAR community gives no room for violence and you should not find yourself doing such either on or offline. You need to note that being passive in the act of violence is also not accepted. You should also not insight someone else to be violent or be self-violent.
ATTACKS
As we seek this growth together, we will often disagree about many views but this doesnāt give room for personal or collective attacks. This has no room in the community and should be a no-go area for everyone that seeks to be part of the community.
Please note that constructive criticism does have its place within the community so long as there is:
- no gaslighting (psychological manipulation to the point of someone questioning their own reality),
- false accusations (i.e. no credible evidence to support the claim), or
- repeated relentless statements or accusations against an individual(s) when such claims have been discredited or when the individual/community members have asked for them to cease.
The tangible differences between attacks/harassment and constructive criticism, is that in the case of constructive criticism:
- The comments are phrased with the intention to be helpful and productive
- No accusations or threats are contained within any comments ever
- The golden rule is observed (i.e. you are treating others the way you would wish to be treated)
FOUL LANGUAGE
The community shall not condone any foul language that has to do with age, gender, religious, racial, economic status, social background, health, sex, etc. to avoid creating discrimination by use of words, stay away from words you are not sure of.
ILL MANNERS
Activities during on and offline events that are against other peopleās private space or choice WONāT be tolerated. These are such as:
- Excessive use of alcohol or other recreational foods by oneself or pushing others to do so.
- Making fun of people who abstain from intake of certain recreational liquids, pushing them to drink, and talking to others about peopleās choice of not taking these drinks.
- Giving negative words or gestures about peopleās choices.
- Inappropriately exposing oneās sensitive body parts or pushing others to do so
- Making fun of peopleās dietary choices.
- Championing ill behaviour.
Those who engage in these will be treated in the same way as these activities are treated.
ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS
This document is subject to any form of changes as the community deems fit. This isnāt to give room for some certain ill activities but to make the space a better place for interaction.
By existing and engaging with the NEAR ecosystem and community each individual implicitly agrees to the above and if there are instances of behaviour and interaction contradicting this code, corrective action may be taken as outlined in the NDC Community Dispute Resolution Process.
Logistical notes:
- once finalized, every new Forum user will have to āagree toā the above Code of Conduct when they sign in for the first time on gov.near.org; as well as every new user in the NDC Discord server by clicking āI Agreeā
- this should also be posted/linked to wherever the NDC has a web presence, i.e. a website