HCLB Communities Code of Conduct

Preamble

HCLB Communities Ltd are committed to creating a respectful, welcoming and inclusive environment for all members, regardless of background, beliefs, or perspectives. To that end, this Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for member behaviour. By participating in communities and events organised by HCLB Communities Ltd, you agree to uphold this Code of Conduct and contribute to a community built on mutual respect, tolerance, and collaboration.

Application of this Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct applies to all community meetings and events organised by HCLB Communities Ltd. Section 8 additionally applies to any communication and interaction between members of any HCLB Communities Ltd community, where such communication and interaction takes place outside of community meetings and events organised by HCLB Communities Ltd, and the members concerned were introduced to each other by attending an HCLB Communities Ltd community meeting or event.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term HCLB Communities Ltd includes any other trading names that HCLB Communities Ltd trades under, either now or in the future.

1. Respect and Civility

• Treat all members with kindness, courtesy, and respect, even when you disagree.
• Engage in discussions with an open mind, focusing on ideas rather than personal attacks. Criticize ideas, not people.
• Avoid language or behaviour that is derogatory, offensive, or discriminatory, including remarks based on race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political affiliation, or any other personal characteristic.
• Do not engage in any unsolicited flirting, sexual advances or harassment, or otherwise inappropriately familiar behaviour with other members.

2. Tolerance and Inclusivity

• Embrace the diversity of our community by welcoming individuals from all walks of life.
• Refrain from promoting or denigrating any group, ideology, or belief system in a way that excludes or marginalizes others.
• Foster constructive dialogue by listening actively and acknowledging differing viewpoints without hostility.

3. Positive and Constructive Communication

• Share ideas, feedback, and opinions in a way that contributes to meaningful conversations.
• Avoid inflammatory, provocative, or disruptive behaviour, such as trolling, harassment, or spamming.
• If conflicts arise, address them calmly and respectfully, or seek assistance from the host.

4. Spam and Self Promotion

• When engaging in self-promotion or the promotion of companies and organisations you run or work for, take care to ensure you are engaging appropriately, in line with the general flow of conversation.
• Refrain from unsolicited spam or self-promotion that does not contribute to the conversation or seems out of line with the spirit of the meeting or event in question.
• An exception to this rule is that posting personal social media links in the meeting chat at the beginning or end of a meeting or event is always permitted.
• The promotion of political parties or similar organisations, and organisations expressly affiliated with a single political party (such as partisan fundraising organisations in the United States) is not permitted within any HCLB Communities Ltd meeting or event.

5. Privacy and Safety

• Respect the privacy of others by not sharing personal information without consent.
• Do not engage in or encourage doxxing, bullying, or any form of intimidation.
• Promptly report any behaviour that compromises the safety or well-being of the community. If this behaviour occurs at a community meeting or event, inform the host as soon as possible.

6. Compliance with Rules and Laws

• Adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, as well as platform terms of service (e.g. Zoom). For the avoidance of doubt, the laws of the United Kingdom, of your country of residence, and of other countries that have relevant extraterritorial provisions, will always be considered applicable for the purposes of this Code of Conduct.
• Do not post or share content that is illegal, harmful, or violates intellectual property rights.
• Do not engage in activity that would require a license or other official approval in your country of reference or in the United Kingdom, unless you have the necessary license or other official approval.

7. Accountability

• Take responsibility for your words and actions in the community.
• If you make a mistake, acknowledge it and work to make amends.
• Cooperate with hosts and HCLB Communities Ltd when addressing concerns or resolving disputes.

8. Conduct Outside of HCLB Communities Ltd Meetings and Events

Sections 1 – 7 only apply within community meetings and events organised by HCLB Communities Ltd. We do not generally regulate your conduct outside of these meetings and events, but the following provisions also apply to outside conduct as described in the Application section:

• If you choose to meet other members in person, do not ask to meet for the first time in a non-public location, unless it is a group event such as a party.
• Do not engage in any unsolicited flirting, sexual advances or harassment, or otherwise inappropriately familiar behaviour with other members.
• Do not engage in any illegal activity in collaboration with any other member.
• If you choose to engage with other members outside of meetings and events organised by HCLB Communities Ltd, respect the boundaries of the other members and only do so in ways they feel comfortable with.

Enforcement

• Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in warnings, temporary suspensions, or removal from the community, depending on the severity and frequency of the behaviour.
• HCLB Communities Ltd will enforce these guidelines fairly and consistently, without bias toward any individual or group.
• No refunds of any paid subscriptions or event tickets will be made if you are suspended or removed for violations of this Code of Conduct.
• In the event of suspected illegal activity, HCLB Communities Ltd may report to and/or cooperate with the police or any other law enforcement body, in the United Kingdom or overseas.

Reporting and Support

If you experience or witness behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, please report it to HCLB Communities Ltd, either by informing the host during a meeting or event, or by using one of our contact methods. We are committed to addressing concerns promptly and maintaining a safe environment for all.