The Cloud Native Computing Foundation and its project communities are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for participants at all of our events, whether they are held in person or virtually. CNCF events are working conferences intended for professional networking and collaboration within the open source community. They exist to encourage the open exchange of ideas and expression and require an environment that recognizes the inherent worth of every person and group. While at Linux Foundation events or related ancillary or social events, any participants, including members, speakers, attendees, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, booth staff and anyone else, should not engage in harassment in any form.
This Code of Conduct may be revised at any time by Cloud Native Computing Foundation and the terms are non-negotiable. Your registration for or attendance at any CNCF event, whether it’s held in person or virtually, indicates your agreement to abide by this policy and its terms.
Expected Behavior
All event participants, whether they are attending an in-person event or a virtual event, are expected to behave in accordance with professional standards, with both this Code of Conduct as well as their respective employer’s policies governing appropriate workplace behavior and applicable laws.
Unacceptable Behavior
Harassment will not be tolerated in any form, whether in person or virtually, including, but not limited to, harassment based on gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion or any other status protected by laws in which the conference or program is being held. Harassment includes the use of abusive, offensive or degrading language, intimidation, stalking, harassing photography or recording, inappropriate physical contact, sexual imagery and unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors. Any report of harassment at one of our events, whether in person or virtual, will be addressed immediately. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Anyone who witnesses or is subjected to unacceptable behavior should notify a conference organizer at once.
Exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material in their booths and must refrain from the use of sexualized clothing, uniforms, costumes, or otherwise creating a sexualized environment. Speakers should not use sexual language, images, or any language or images that would constitute harassment as defined above in their talks.
Individuals who participate (or plan to participate) in CNCF events, whether its an in-person event or a virtual event, should conduct themselves at all times in a manner that comports with both the letter and spirit of this policy prohibiting harassment and abusive behavior, whether before, during or after the event. This includes statements made in social media postings, on-line publications, text messages, and all other forms of electronic communication.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, whether in person or virtually, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate depending on the circumstances, ranging from issuance of a warning to the offending individual to expulsion from the conference with no refund. CNCF reserves the right to exclude any participant found to be engaging in harassing behavior from participating in any further Linux Foundation events, trainings or other activities.
If a participant (or individual wishing to participate in a CNCF event, in-person and/or virtual), through postings on social media or other online publications or another form of electronic communication, engages in conduct that violates this policy, whether before, during or after a CNCF event, CNCF may take appropriate corrective action, which could include imposing a temporary or permanent ban on an individual’s participation in future CNCF events.
What To Do If You Witness or Are Subject To Unacceptable Behavior
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns relating to harassment, please contact any of the following:
| Name/Role | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Colleen Passard, Event Ombudsperson and Mediator | colleenpassard1@gmail.com or (818) 915-2211 |
| LF Events Code of Conduct incident response leads: Angela Brown, SVP & GM of Events Joanna Lee, VP of Strategic Programs & Legal | eventconduct@cncf.io (goes to both Angela Brown & Joanna Lee) angela@linuxfoundation.org jlee@linuxfoundation.org or (408) 686-9393 |
| CNCF Code of Conduct Committee (individual members listed at https://www.cncf.io/conduct/committee/) | conduct@cncf.io |
Incident Response
Our staff has taken incident response training and responds to harassment reports quickly and thoroughly. As referenced above, if a participant engages in harassing behavior, whether in-person or virtually, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, ranging from issuance of a warning to the offending individual to expulsion from the conference with no refund, depending on the circumstances. CNCF reserves the right to exclude any participant found to be engaging in harassing behavior from participating in any further CNCF events, trainings or other activities.
Conference staff will also provide support to victims, including, but not limited to:
- Providing an Escort
- Contacting Hotel/Venue Security or Local Law Enforcement
- Briefing Key Event Staff For Response/Victim Assistance
- And otherwise assisting those experiencing harassment to ensure that they feel safe for the duration of the conference.
Pre-Event Concerns
If you are planning to attend an upcoming event, whether in-person or virtually and have concerns regarding another individual who may be present, please contact Joanna Lee (Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Legal) and Angela Brown (SVP & GM of Events) immediately at eventconduct@cncf.io or at (408) 686-9393.
Precautions will be taken to ensure your comfort and safety, including, but not limited to: providing an escort, prepping onsite event staff, keeping victim and harasser from attending the same talks/social events and providing onsite contact cell phone numbers for immediate contact.
Terms + Conditions
Code of Conduct
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for participants at all of our events, whether they are held in person or virtually. Linux Foundation events are working conferences intended for professional networking and collaboration in the Linux community. They exist to encourage the open exchange of ideas and expression and require an environment that recognizes the inherent worth of every person and group. While at Linux Foundation events, in-person or virtual, or related ancillary or social events, any participants, including speakers, attendees, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, booth staff, and anyone else, should not engage in harassment in any form. The expanded Code of Conduct contains full details and examples, which cover behavior expectations, unacceptable behavior, and consequences, as well as incident reporting and response protocol.
Health and Safety Requirements
It is necessary for all attendees to cooperate and protect one another. For this reason, The Linux Foundation’s events may have health and safety requirements (the “Health and Safety Requirements”). The specific requirements may vary from event to event, and will be communicated in writing prior to and during the event.
If an attendee fails to comply with any of the Health and Safety Requirements, The Linux Foundation may (but is not obligated to) take appropriate corrective action, which could include immediate removal from the event and venue without a refund, and/or imposing a temporary or permanent ban on an individual’s participation in future Linux Foundation events.
Photo + Video Release
By registering for this event you consent to the photographing of yourself and the recording of your voice and the use of these photographs and/or recordings singularly or in conjunction with other photographs and/or recordings for advertising, publicity, commercial or other business purposes for The Cloud Native Computing Foundation. You understand that the term “photograph” as used herein encompasses both still photographs and motion picture footage.
Live Streaming + Rebroadcasting
Live streaming and rebroadcasting of CNCF and Linux Foundation events is prohibited. You agree that you will not record, copy, reproduce, live stream, rebroadcast or otherwise distribute recordings, live streams, or broadcasts of events hosted by either The Cloud Native Computing Foundations (CNCF) and/or The Linux Foundation without first obtaining the express written permission of either The Cloud Native Computing Foundation and/or The Linux Foundation.
GDPR / Data Protection + Attendee Communication
By submitting a registration for this event, you understand that the data you include will be submitted to The Cloud Native Computing Foundation and that The Cloud Native Computing Foundation may contact you regarding this event. Personal data collected from this registration form is subject to The Cloud Native Computing Foundation’s Privacy Policy.
If applicable, by signing up to attend a Co-Located Event hosted by a third party, you understand that a portion of the data you submit will be provided to the third party, to enable the third party to hold the event. The third parties’ use of the data will be subject to their own privacy policies.
In order to facilitate networking and business relationships at the event, you may choose to visit a third party’s booth or virtual booth or to access sponsored content. You are never required to visit third-party booths or to access sponsored content. When visiting a virtual booth (e.g. by clicking on a third party’s logo in the virtual exhibit hall or exhibitor directory, and any actions within the booth thereafter including viewing resources), accessing swag or virtual swag provided by sponsors, or by participating in sponsored activities, the third party will receive some of your registration data. This data includes your first name, last name, title, company, address, email, standard demographics questions (i.e. job function, industry), and details about the sponsored content or resources you interacted with. If you choose to interact with a booth or virtual booth or access sponsored content, you are explicitly consenting to receipt and use of such data by the third-party recipients, which will be subject to their own privacy policies.
Suitcasing or Outboarding
No Suitcasing or Outboarding. “Suitcasing” is the practice of participating in an event as an attendee and using that attendee access to solicit business from other attendees, exhibitors, or event participants. “Outboarding” is the practice of setting up events, activities, exhibitions, or a booth in the Event venue or its vicinity (e.g., in a hotel room, lounge, or meeting space, or at a nearby business) without authorization. In both cases the effect is to take the benefits of being a sponsor or exhibitor without having paid the fees (which are necessary for The Linux Foundation, a nonprofit organization, to be able to create and host the event), and to undermine the structures of the event around sponsorship and exhibition. Any attendees Suitcasing or Outboarding may have their access to the event revoked, and may be barred from participating at future events. If you see a party Suitcasing or Outboarding at the event, please report it to The Linux Foundation staff.
Drug Use
No Drugs. Use of recreational drugs, including all DEA-scheduled drugs (without a prescription) and all cannabinoids, is not permitted at the event. Such drugs are also not permitted as part of any giveaway or promotion at the event.
