User:Globe/Volunteer Conduct Policy

This page contains a draft of a proposed global policy for WikiOasis . The proposal is still a work in progress and/or under discussion, and has not yet reached the consensus for adoption.

The WikiOasis Volunteer Conduct Policy establishes the standards of behavior expected from volunteers holding advanced permissions across WikiOasis platforms. This policy applies to Global Sysops, Global Patrollers, Stewards, Tech Team members, and all other volunteers holding cross-wiki or elevated permissions. Volunteers in these roles represent the WikiOasis Foundation and are held to a higher standard of conduct both on-wiki and on external platforms where their volunteer role is identifiable. Violations of this policy may result in sanctions up to and including removal of advanced permissions.

Scope

This policy applies to conduct occurring on any platform where a volunteer's role or affiliation is reasonably identifiable, including:

• Any WikiOasis wiki, including talk pages, edit summaries, noticeboards, and user pages,
• Discord servers operated by or affiliated with WikiOasis or its projects,
• Social media, when the volunteer is acting in or referencing their volunteer role, and
• Any other public or semi-public communication channel.

Prohibited Conduct

Disparagement

Volunteers must not publicly disparage, mock, demean, or belittle other users or their communities. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Mockery of communities: Publicly ridiculing a wiki's editorial standards, community culture, or editing practices.
• Derogatory generalizations: Dismissively characterizing users from a particular wiki, language community, or region as incompetent, problematic, or otherwise inferior.
• Ridicule of individuals: Posting diffs, screenshots, or summaries of a user's contributions for the purpose of mockery or humiliation.
• Off-wiki disparagement: Coordinating or participating in negative commentary about users or communities on Discord, IRC, or other external platforms.

Harassment

Harassment of any user is strictly prohibited and encompasses any behavior intended to intimidate, belittle, or harm others. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Personal attacks: Engaging in name-calling, bullying, or other forms of personal insults.
• Threats: Making threats of violence or intimidation, either directly or indirectly.
• Derogatory comments: Using language that is offensive, discriminatory, or prejudiced against individuals or groups.
• Unwanted communication: Persistently contacting individuals in a manner that makes them uncomfortable.
• Privacy violations: Disclosing a user's personal information or identity without their explicit consent.

Abuse of Advanced Permissions

Volunteers must not use their advanced permissions for personal or retaliatory purposes. This includes:

• Retaliatory actions: Blocking, locking, or otherwise acting against a user due to a personal dispute rather than a policy violation.
• Preferential treatment: Using administrative tools to advantage a user or community based on personal relationships.
• Failure to recuse: Taking administrative action in matters where the volunteer has a personal conflict of interest.

Misrepresentation of the Foundation

Volunteers must not misrepresent the Foundation's positions or their own authority. This includes:

• False official statements: Representing personal opinions as the official position of the WikiOasis Foundation without authorization.
• Misleading claims of authority: Implying that an action has Foundation backing when it does not.

Standards

Volunteers holding advanced permissions are expected to uphold a higher standard of conduct than ordinary users. They must not use their authority or platform to harass, intimidate, silence, or disparage other users or communities. Volunteers must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Foundation's values at all times, including on external platforms. Any violations by volunteers will be taken seriously and may result in stricter sanctions than those applied to general users, up to and including permanent removal of all advanced permissions.

Enforcement

The appropriate oversight body for each volunteer role is responsible for the enforcement of this policy. For cross-wiki matters or patterns of behavior spanning multiple roles or platforms, the matter may be escalated to the Foundation. Possible actions include:

• Warnings: Formally notifying the volunteer of the violation and the applicable policy.
• Temporary suspension: Temporarily removing advanced permissions pending review or as a sanction.
• Permanent removal: Permanently revoking one or more sets of advanced permissions for serious or repeated violations.
• Global locking: Volunteers who engage in severe or repeated violations may face global locking, restricting access to all WikiOasis wikis.

Sanctions

Sanctions are at the discretion of the applicable oversight body and may vary based on the severity and context of the violation. A single serious violation may result in immediate removal of permissions without prior warning. Repeated minor violations may be treated cumulatively. Volunteers will generally be notified that a report has been received and given an opportunity to respond before a final determination is made, except where immediate action is necessary to prevent ongoing harm.

Reporting

Concerns about volunteer conduct under this policy may be reported to the oversight body responsible for the relevant role, or to the Foundation for matters involving serious harm, harassment, or cross-wiki patterns of behavior.

Non-Retaliation

Volunteers must not retaliate against any user who makes a good-faith report under this policy or who cooperates with a conduct review. Retaliation is itself a serious violation of this policy and will be treated accordingly.

Non-discrimination

The WikiOasis Foundation does not discriminate based on the following factors:

• Sex,
• Gender identity and/or expression,
• Sexual orientation,
• Race and/or ethnicity,
• National origin, or
• Disability.

Volunteers in roles covered by this policy shall not discriminate against any user based on any of these factors. Violations may result in removal of advanced permissions and global locking.

Complaint procedure

One may file a complaint with the Compliance Officer, which shall be the President of the Foundation. It shall take the following form:

I allege a violation of the Volunteer Conduct Policy has occurred by a WikiOasis volunteer. The description of my complaint is as follows: