Conpulsion Attendee Guidelines
We want Conpulsion to be a fun weekend for everyone. We also acknowledge that many attendees who are from marginalised backgrounds may have had negative experiences in the community, especially in on-line interactions. This is why we have some clear policies and guidelines to ensure that the event is a welcoming and inclusive event for all attendees.
As this is a Geas event, all participants must abide by the Geas Anti-Harassment Policy. Conpulsion will not tolerate any kind of abuse, discrimination or harassment.
In addition, we appreciate that the inclusivity of the con is a responsibility we all share. This is why we have the following dos and don’ts to further clarify what kind of behaviour we expect, and what kind of behaviour we will not accept.
Positive Behaviours
- Be kind to each other
- Respect each other’s boundaries.
- Don’t make assumptions; when in doubt, ask.
- Treat everyone with respect and courtesy.
- Interact with each other on Gather Town as if you were meeting in real life.
- Take responsibility for your actions.
- If you find yourself angry, upset, or hurt by an interaction within the community, take some time out to care for yourself, think about the issue at hand, and then make a considered response.
- You can speak to the any member of the Conpulsion Committee if you have any concerns.
Unacceptable Behaviours
- Any kind of discriminatory or harassing behaviour, or behaviour that would harm yourself or others.
- Being mean, nasty, or hostile to each other.
- Instigating or escalating arguments.
- Adding people on social media without their consent.
- Making unwelcome comments about other people’s lifestyles, beliefs, appearances, or gaming.
- Gratuitous sexual content or behaviour when they are not appropriate
- Disruptive behaviour in discussions or games
- Continued contact with people after requests to cease
- Deliberate misgendering or use of ‘dead’ names
If you have any complaints or concerns regarding your welfare, please feel free to email conpulsion [at] gmail [dot] com. This email address will be monitored by the Conpulsion Committee.
Conpulsion Complaints Procedure
The Conpulsion organisers aim to provide all attendees an enjoyable, positive experience that is free from harassment and inappropriate conduct. To these ends, we have put in place procedures to protect our members and attendees from such behaviour, and to clarify how such complaints will be dealt with by the Committee. We also recognise that raising a complaint can be difficult, and we wish to support all our members and guests to seek support and redressal for any issue they might experience.
- If a member has any grievance regarding matters including, but not restricted to, breaches of the Code of Conduct, Anti-Harassment Policy, incidents of harassment or bullying (whether direct or indirect), or any experience they feel affects their enjoyment of the Convention, they may make a complaint to any member of the Conpulsion Committee.
- All complaints received by the Conpulsion Committee will be handled in a confidential manner. However, the Conpulsion Committee may need to pass on this information to the police, university security, or other bodies in circumstances where there is a risk of harm to any individual, or when it is otherwise required to by law or by governing rules of the University of Edinburgh or Edinburgh University Students Association. We will advise the Complainant of this accordingly.
- As the Conpulsion Committee is a sub-committee of Geas, complaints received by the Conpulsion Committee will be logged with the Geas Committee.
- All complaints will be handled by the Directors. They will endeavour to respond to any complaints promptly. They will ensure that any conflict or grievance is resolved in a timely manner, and will ensure confidentiality and compliance with data protection legislation in the handling of any sensitive or personal information in the complaints.
- Should a member wish to make a complaint about one or more members of the Conpulsion Committee, they may make them to the Geas Committee.
- The Directors will investigate internal complaints and examine any evidence to assess the validity of the complaint.
- Where a complaint is deemed valid, the Directors may assist the complainant in seeking frontline resolution. The purpose of frontline resolution will be to ask members to rectify and apologise for their conduct, and to ensure that any misconduct is not repeated.
- Where a complaint is more serious, the Executive Committee may also take action against the respondent of the complaint. This may include, where appropriate, verbal warnings, written warnings, removal from the event, or a ban from future conventions.
- The Directors will also support the Complainant should they choose to escalate the matter as they deem appropriate.
- If any individual has a complaint made about them, the Directors will explain to them the substance of the matter (while maintaining the confidentiality or safety of the complainant) and the details of any disciplinary procedures that may apply.
The Conpulsion Committee can be emailed at conpulsion [AT] gmail [DOT] com.