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[release-branch.go1.8] doc: update Code of Conduct wording and scope
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This change removes the punitive language and anonymous reporting mechanism
from the Code of Conduct document. Read on for the rationale.

More than a year has passed since the Go Code of Conduct was introduced.
In that time, there have been a small number (<30) of reports to the Working Group.
Some reports we handled well, with positive outcomes for all involved.
A few reports we handled badly, resulting in hurt feelings and a bad
experience for all involved.

On reflection, the reports that had positive outcomes were ones where the
Working Group took the role of advisor/facilitator, listening to complaints and
providing suggestions and advice to the parties involved.
The reports that had negative outcomes were ones where the subject of the
report felt threatened by the Working Group and Code of Conduct.

After some discussion among the Working Group, we saw that we are most
effective as facilitators, rather than disciplinarians. The various Go spaces
already have moderators; this change to the CoC acknowledges their authority
and places the group in a purely advisory role. If an incident is
reported to the group we may provide information to or make a
suggestion the moderators, but the Working Group need not (and should not) have
any authority to take disciplinary action.

In short, we want it to be clear that the Working Group are here to help
resolve conflict, period.

The second change made here is the removal of the anonymous reporting mechanism.
To date, the quality of anonymous reports has been low, and with no way to
reach out to the reporter for more information there is often very little we
can do in response. Removing this one-way reporting mechanism strengthens the
message that the Working Group are here to facilitate a constructive dialogue.

Change-Id: Iee52aff5446accd0dae0c937bb3aa89709ad5fb4
Reviewed-on: https://go-review.googlesource.com/37014
Reviewed-by: Andrew Gerrand <adg@golang.org>
Reviewed-by: Russ Cox <rsc@golang.org>
Reviewed-on: https://go-review.googlesource.com/37040
Reviewed-by: Chris Broadfoot <cbro@golang.org>
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Sarah Adams authored and broady committed Feb 15, 2017
1 parent cedc511 commit 7d7a0a9
Showing 1 changed file with 12 additions and 22 deletions.
34 changes: 12 additions & 22 deletions doc/conduct.html
Expand Up @@ -148,29 +148,26 @@ <h2 id="moderation">Moderation</h2>

<p>
The Go spaces are not free speech venues; they are for discussion about Go.
These spaces have moderators.
The goal of the moderators is to facilitate civil discussion about Go.
Each of these spaces have their own moderators.
</p>

<p>
When using the official Go spaces you should act in the spirit of the “Gopher
values”.
If you conduct yourself in a way that is explicitly forbidden by the CoC,
you will be warned and asked to stop.
If you do not stop, you will be removed from our community spaces temporarily.
Repeated, willful breaches of the CoC will result in a permanent ban.
If a reported conflict cannot be resolved amicably, the CoC Working Group
may make a recommendation to the relevant forum moderators.
</p>

<p>
Moderators are held to a higher standard than other community members.
If a moderator creates an inappropriate situation, they should expect less
leeway than others, and should expect to be removed from their position if they
cannot adhere to the CoC.
CoC Working Group members and forum moderators are held to a higher standard than other community members.
If a working group member or moderator creates an inappropriate situation, they
should expect less leeway than others, and should expect to be removed from
their position if they cannot adhere to the CoC.
</p>

<p>
Complaints about moderator actions must be handled using the reporting process
below.
Complaints about working group member or moderator actions must be handled
using the reporting process below.
</p>

<h2 id="reporting">Reporting issues</h2>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -199,13 +196,10 @@ <h2 id="reporting">Reporting issues</h2>
</p>

<ul>
<li>Mail <a href="mailto:conduct@golang.org">conduct@golang.org</a> or
<a href="https://golang.org/s/conduct-report">submit an anonymous report</a>.
<li>Mail <a href="mailto:conduct@golang.org">conduct@golang.org</a>.
<ul>
<li>Your message will reach the Working Group.
<li>Reports are confidential within the Working Group.
<li>Should you choose to remain anonymous then the Working Group cannot
notify you of the outcome of your report.
<li>You may contact a member of the group directly if you do not feel
comfortable contacting the group as a whole. That member will then raise
the issue with the Working Group as a whole, preserving the privacy of the
Expand All @@ -227,11 +221,8 @@ <h2 id="reporting">Reporting issues</h2>
<li>The Working Group will reach a decision as to how to act. These may include:
<ul>
<li>Nothing.
<li>A request for a private or public apology.
<li>A private or public warning.
<li>An imposed vacation (for instance, asking someone to abstain for a week
from a mailing list or IRC).
<li>A permanent or temporary ban from some or all Go spaces.
<li>Passing the report along to the offender.
<li>A recommendation of action to the relevant forum moderators.
</ul>
<li>The Working Group will reach out to the original reporter to let them know
the decision.
Expand All @@ -244,7 +235,6 @@ <h2 id="reporting">Reporting issues</h2>
conflicts in the most harmonious way possible.</b>
We hope that in most cases issues may be resolved through polite discussion and
mutual agreement.
Bannings and other forceful measures are to be employed only as a last resort.
</p>

<p>
Expand Down

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