Last updated: June 5, 2026

Code of Conduct

Need to report something?

At events: speak to any TechTank organizer. Any time: email us.

techtankto@gmail.com

Scope

This code of conduct applies to everyone in the TechTank community: attendees, volunteers, speakers, sponsors, organizers, and board members in all TechTank spaces. This includes our Slack workspace, in-person and virtual events, social gatherings, direct messages, and any other community channel.

TechTank is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming experience for everyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, religion, nationality, or level of experience. These standards are not optional.

Our Commitment to a Safe Space

TechTank is committed to being a safe and affirming space for 2SLGBTQ+ people. We use and respect people's correct pronouns and chosen names. If you aren't sure what pronouns someone uses, ask. If you make a mistake, apologize, correct yourself, and move on.

We acknowledge that racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of discrimination are real and present. TechTank is not a neutral space. We actively work to create an environment where marginalized people feel safe, and belonging is not something anyone has to earn.

A. Members and Attendees

Everyone who attends a TechTank event, joins our Slack, or participates in any community space agrees to the following.

Expected behaviour

  • Be friendly, patient, and kind
  • Be welcoming to people of all backgrounds and identities
  • Take responsibility for your impact — if someone tells you they've been harmed by your words or actions, listen, apologize, and correct the behaviour
  • Respect physical and digital boundaries
  • Ask before recording or photographing anyone
  • Respect delays in responses
  • Represent yourself honestly when registering for events

Unacceptable behaviour

Harassment and Discrimination

  • Hate speech or discriminatory language of any kind, including racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist remarks
  • Unwelcome sexual attention, advances, or comments
  • Harassment in any form — verbal, written, physical, or visual — including offensive jokes, derogatory comments, or persistent unwelcome communication
  • Deliberate misgendering or deadnaming
  • Bullying, intimidation, or behaviour intended to belittle or demean others

Respect and Boundaries

  • Don't talk over people or shut down questions — everyone is at a different stage and that's the point
  • Don't solicit referrals from people you haven't built a real relationship with
  • Don't share private information about other members without their consent
  • Don't record, photograph, or share content featuring others without their explicit permission
  • No spamming, unsolicited self-promotion, or solicitation without organizer approval

Referral Policy

Referrals carry real professional weight for the person giving them. Members should not request referrals from someone they have not built a genuine relationship with. A single interaction is not enough. Be thoughtful about what you're asking someone to put their reputation behind.

B. Organizers and Volunteers

Organizers and volunteers are held to the same standards as all community members, and carry additional responsibilities as representatives of TechTank.

Additional Expectations

  • Model the behaviour and values in this code of conduct at all times
  • Create a welcoming environment at every event — greet newcomers, make introductions, and make sure no one is left on the sidelines
  • If you witness a potential code of conduct violation, report it to the board promptly
  • Handle attendee information and internal communications with confidentiality
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect your ability to act impartially
  • Don't use your organizer role to give yourself or your business unfair advantages, like access to member data or using TechTank's platforms to solicit clients or customers
  • If you disagree with a board decision, bring it to the team directly rather than publicly
  • Do not make commitments on behalf of TechTank — financial, partnership, or otherwise — without board approval

If an Organizer or Volunteer Violates This Code

Reports involving an organizer or volunteer should be sent to the board at techtankto@gmail.com. The implicated person will be recused from any discussion or decision related to the report. Depending on the severity, consequences may include removal from their role, temporary suspension, or permanent removal from the community.

C. Sponsors and Hosts

TechTank welcomes sponsors and venue hosts as partners in building community. By sponsoring or hosting a TechTank event, you agree to the following.

Expected behaviour

  • Treat all TechTank community members with respect and dignity
  • Abide by TechTank's code of conduct in all interactions with attendees, organizers, and volunteers
  • Use TechTank's name, logo, and branding only as agreed upon and within brand guidelines
  • Coordinate all event communications, announcements, and promotional content with the TechTank team before publishing
  • All TechTank events must be listed and managed through TechTank's official Luma or Meetup page. TechTank manages RSVPs and check-in for all events to ensure attendee safety and a consistent experience. Sponsors and hosts are welcome to promote and advertise the event through their own channels, but may not host a separate registration page or manage RSVPs independently.

What Sponsors and Hosts Should Not Do

  • Recruiting and hiring outreach is welcome with prior agreement from TechTank organizers. Collecting attendee contact information or pitching attendees without their explicit consent is not permitted.
  • Use TechTank events as a primary sales or recruitment channel — attendees are community members, not leads
  • Make public statements on behalf of TechTank or imply endorsement beyond the agreed partnership
  • Engage in discriminatory hiring practices or hold values that conflict with TechTank's commitment to inclusion

Attendee Data

TechTank does not share attendee contact information or registration data with sponsors for marketing or recruitment purposes. Attendees can opt in to sponsor communications when registering through Luma, and opt-in methods at events are welcome, like a QR code linking to a giveaway or sign-up form.

For venue partners, we are happy to provide attendee information where required for legal, safety, or operational purposes, such as building access, capacity management, or emergency protocols.

Sponsor Violations

TechTank reserves the right to end a sponsorship or hosting relationship at any time if a sponsor or host violates this code of conduct, acts in a way that conflicts with TechTank's values, or creates an unsafe environment for community members. This applies during and outside of events.

Report a Concern

General Reports

If you experience or witness behaviour that violates this code of conduct, please reach out at:

techtankto@gmail.com

You can also report directly to any organizer or board member you feel comfortable approaching. All reports are handled confidentially. We will not share your identity without your consent.

Reports Involving an Organizer or Board Member

If your report involves an organizer or board member, please contact the board directly at techtankto@gmail.com. The implicated person will be recused from any discussion or decision related to the report. The remaining board members will handle the matter.

We recognize this process is imperfect for a small team. As TechTank grows, we are committed to building more independent reporting infrastructure.

Enforcement

TechTank reserves the right to take corrective action in response to any behaviour deemed inappropriate, threatening, offensive, or harmful. This applies to all community members, including organizers and board members.

1. Notice of Correction

You will be contacted directly regarding the behaviour in question and asked to correct it. This may happen via Slack, email, or in person depending on the situation.

2. Temporary Ban

A temporary ban from TechTank community spaces for up to two weeks. This includes all in-person and virtual events, Slack, and direct messages.

3. Permanent Ban

Permanent removal from all TechTank spaces and events. Reserved for severe violations or repeated behaviour after prior enforcement.

Note: some behaviours may warrant skipping directly to a temporary or permanent ban without a prior notice of correction, at the board's discretion.