to suggest edits: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g6PUomooPvkOnJ0-Z_J6d5C6Tx59HKvtl1KfKmerJ9g/edit

• Manifesto
• Purpose
• Scope
• Create a Culture of Open and Honest Communication: Consent & Self-Consent
• Do the Right Thing
• Unacceptable Conduct
• Consequences of Unacceptable Conduct
• Reporting of Unacceptable Conduct
• Acknowledgements & References
• Example Situations

Manifesto

We trust each other to be vulnerable and authentic. We give our energy and time. We openly share to inspire and empower each other. We pay it forward to help one another reach our dreams. We make magic by uniting art and science. We engineer serendipity by curating beauty and purpose. We redefine home as the people we can't live without. We redefine work with new modes and tools for collaboration. We embrace diversity of origin, disciplines, and thought. We question ourselves and the world to address the fundamental challenges of our time. We accelerate change by unlocking human potential.

Sandbox is our generation's opportunity to move the needle, to establish new norms based on values and purpose.

This is our chance to co-create the world we inherit.

Purpose

Sandbox is dedicated to providing inclusive, accessible and harassment-free space and events to all its members, as well as participating guests. We value their engagement, and wish to ensure that everyone has a fulfilling experience in our community, including our events, online spaces and communication channels.

To that end, we provide this Code of Ethics and Conduct as an expectation of behaviour of all Sandbox members, and participating guests. GovBoard members, including Board of Directors, as well as Member Wellbeing team have the added responsibility for demonstrating - through their actions - the importance of this Code of Ethics and Conduct. To make the Code work, the Member Wellbeing team, with support of the Board of Directors, must be responsible for promptly addressing ethical questions or concerns raised by members and for taking the appropriate steps to deal with such issues.

Scope

This Code of Ethics and Conduct applies to all Sandbox members, as well as guests taking part in activities and events officially1 organised or co-organized by Sandbox on a global and regional level, as well as official community spaces, including but not limited to:

• Global Summit and Regional Summits;
• Activities and events organised by the Sandbox Hubs, including but not limited to: Sandbox Dinners, Sandbox Hub Retreats, Sandbox Hub Workshops;
• Online events organised by Sandbox Hubs or Sandbox Global, including but not limited to: Virtual Summit and Sandbox Workshops
• Sandbox Communication channels including but not limited to: hubs and interest groups on Facebook, Discord, Slack, Whatsapp, Superhive, Signal, and other (social) media

By participating in any of these activities, community spaces or events (offline or online), you agree to abide by this Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Privately organised activities (by Sandbox members, including but not limited to events, gatherings, workshops, projects do not fall under the scope of Sandbox Code of Ethics and Conduct)

Create a Culture of Open and Honest Communication: Consent & Self-Consent

Given the biases that we all carry we declare consent as an overarching principle of our interactions.

Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in activity which starts with self-consent. As a community we believe in setting boundaries but also helping others set and watch out for themselves. For this reason asking first is a best practice, together with directly communicating your own boundaries.

Although it sounds straightforward it can feel quite ambiguous as communication style changes from person to person and is influenced by conditioning, culture, context and more.

To avoid conflict and misunderstandings we suggest that you follow these principles:

1. Always choose clear communications over assuming and expecting. In Sandbox we trust each other; do not assume bad intentions immediately.
2. Practise healthy confrontational skills, setting your boundaries and communicating clearly and openly if you feel uncomfortable or disagree. Always try to stay mindful and not hurt others in this process. Example: Even if you see that most people might be very physically affectionate this doesn’t mean you have to or should. If you do not feel like hugging, do communicate it clearly.
3. Always ask for permission. One has the right to change their mind anytime. Anything that is not a resounding yes, is a No. Example: Ask before taking pictures. Remember consent to take a picture is NOT consent to post it on your blog.

Do the Right Thing

Members of the Sandbox community are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with Sandbox guidelines and values, presented in Sandbox Manifesto, Sandbox Bylaws, and Sandbox Code of Ethics and Conduct at all times. However, several key questions can immediately help identify situations that may be unethical, inappropriate or illegal.

Ask yourself:

• Is it legal?
• Is it harmless?
• Does it comply with the Sandbox values and the Code of Ethics and Conduct?
• Am I being loyal to myself and to Sandbox?
• Would I feel comfortable if it was reported to the news or to someone I love and respect?

If the answer to all these questions is ‘Yes’, proceed with your decision. If in any case you have a doubt, please look for more guidance. If any of the answers is ‘No’, please do not proceed.

We are confident that both Sandbox members and invited guests will build a supportive and collaborative atmosphere in our official community spaces and at any of our events, both online and offline. We highlight the following points, which explicitly describe appropriate and desirable behaviour at our events and community spaces. All members and guests, including organisers and participants shall agree to:

• Contribute to creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone. Participants may vary in race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, civil status, age, religion, political conviction, ethnic or national origin, ability and more. Be respectful of different viewpoints and experiences and be considerate of others’ participation and how the words you choose may impact others. Be patient and respectful of the fact that English may be second (or third, fourth, etc.) languages for some participants. Do not exclude.
• Do not harass people. Harassment includes unwanted physical contact, sexual attention, or repeated social contact. Consent is never implied.
• Do not put any Sandbox member or guest in danger with your actions.
• Adhere to personal boundaries. Ensure that consent is explicit, conscious, and continuous. If you are unsure whether your behaviour towards another person is welcome, ask them. Practice setting your own boundaries and communicating them clearly.
• Respect the privacy and safety of others. If you would like to take and share e.g. photos or videos of others (including speakers), and / or share others’ personal experiences or identifying information, obtain their consent first.
• As an overriding general rule, please be intentional in your actions and humble in your mistakes. Please be generous when others admit to their own mistakes.
• Speak up for community members (and yourself). If you see something inappropriate happening, speak up. If you don't feel comfortable intervening but feel someone should, please feel free to ask a member of the Member Wellbeing team, event organiser or Sandbox GovBoard member. Where possible, practise healthy confrontation.
• If a conflict arises - own your own emotions, be curious and mindful, and commit to closure through understanding. Agreeing or agreeing to disagree are both valid outcomes, make sure that you first inquired and understood.2
• When a guest in another Sandboxer’s home - try to be courteous and polite, express hospitality in your own way and make sure it's understood.
• Most of all think of yourself as a steward of the collective trust we hold in each other as a community

It is important to keep in mind that certain countries’ laws and cultural norms may apply even when you participate in official Sandbox events in other countries. Even when something might be a common practice in your hub / location or within your cultural norms, you need to continue to apply and follow our Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Unacceptable Conduct

Concrete examples of unacceptable behaviours which can lead to sanctions if in scope, include but are not limited to:

• Any discriminatory action, behaviour, communication, or decision based on race, colour, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, civil status, age (except as provided by bylaws), religion, political conviction, language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, a disability or the use of any means to palliate a disability, which results in the exclusion or preference of an individual or group.
• Insults or put-downs, member to member disparaging and public remarks.
• Unwelcome sexual attention and/or physical contact.
• Breaking the law, criminal behaviour.
• Blackmail of any kind.
• Irresponsible use of psychoactive substances like alcohol, marijuana, psychedelics and other substances.
• Sustained disruption of talks, events, or communications.
• Incitement of violence or self-harm.
• Bringing weapons to Sandbox Events.
• Inciting violence or publicly making remarks contrary to the values of the organisation or remarks that are hateful.
• Causing someone to fear for their safety, such as through stalking, intimidation, or violent threats.
• Taking and sharing photos, recording and personal information of others (including speakers) without permission.
• Breaking Confidentiality Agreements in Official Sandbox Roles and Processes like Member Wellbeing, GovBoard.
• Publicly slandering Sandbox.
• Malicious misconduct (e.g. false reporting of multiple cases).

Consequences of Unacceptable Conduct

Participants (member or guest) and organisers, of an event and community space participant (member or guest) and/or organiser engage in conduct that violates this Code of Ethics and Conduct, organisers, ambassadors or members of Member well-being working group will warn the offender to stop the inappropriate conduct, and they will be expected to comply immediately.

Ultimately, the consequence might also include asking them to leave the event or activity, restrict attendance at future Sandbox events and spaces, or impose any other appropriate sanctions in the context of Sandbox activities*. The Sandbox Member Wellbeing team will report any violations of the Code of Conduct and actions taken at events / in the community spaces to the Sandbox Wellbeing WG Members within two days of the event or report, and the Sandbox Member Wellbeing working group members may take additional action as needed.

Consequences may be imposed at events, or by phone or email up to one week following an event.

Violations of Sandbox Code of Ethics and Conduct, including guidelines and values included in Sandbox Bylaws and Manifesto which are in scope, will be handled through Sandbox Member Wellbeing procedures.

If you file a report that indicates a violation of any Sandbox Code of Ethics and Conduct, including guidelines and values included in Sandbox Bylaws and Manifesto, that may warrant disciplinary action outside of Sandbox events, the Sandbox Member Wellbeing team will provide support. The individual who submitted the initial report holds the right to choose whether to pursue any further disciplinary procedures outside of Sandbox events and community spaces.

• Consequences for guests: Get barred from events and membership

Reporting of Unacceptable Conduct

If you believe someone is violating the Code of Ethics and Conduct we encourage you to report it. You will have an option to file a complaint, grievance or dispute anonymously, however even if you share your identity this will be kept confidential where possible.

When reporting unacceptable conduct, please contact Sandbox Member Wellbeing Team with the following information (where possible):

• Names of any individuals involved, including if there were other witnesses,
• When and where the incident occurred,
• Your account of what occurred,
• Whether you believe this incident is ongoing, and
• Any additional context or other information you believe we should have, including conflict of interest.

You can report the violation in the following ways:

In person:

Report the violation in-person at the event to one or more of the following individuals:

- Event organiser, Ambassador, Member Wellbeing Officer or GovBoard member

Online

• Via Email
• Please write to us at wellbeing@sandbox.is, which is accessible only to Member Wellbeing Officers. In the subject line, you can mention who you’d like to take a look at your case, in case if applicable. You can also find a list of the Officers here.
• Via an (anonymous) Form
• You can fill in a form.

If you would like a follow-up, please provide your name and contact information, and you will be contacted by a member of the Sandbox Member Wellbeing team within seven days. Please note that, if you choose not to provide your name or important information about the incident, we will not be able to follow up with you directly. We will investigate the situation and try our best to prevent it from happening again.

If you are unsure whether the incident is a violation, or whether the space where it happened is covered by this Code of Ethics and Conduct, we still encourage you to report it. Knowing about incidents that are not violations, or happen outside our spaces, can also help us improve the Code of Ethics and Conduct or the processes surrounding it.

If your report concerns a current Officer of the Sandbox Member Wellbeing team, you may not feel comfortable submitting your report using the online form. In that case, you can make a report directly by email to any of the individual Member Wellbeing Officers listed above.

Acknowledgements & References

This document has been co-created with the GovBoard + MBB + MWB + ambassadors

• Sexual Misconduct Awareness, Education and Prevention
• Policy Against Sexual Violence
• https://ewbcm.pg.com/
• https://www.mcgill.ca/hbhl/edi/event-code-conduct

Example Situations

WE ARE LOOKING INTO INCLUDING SOME SCENARIO EXAMPLES HERE? USING CONCRETE, BUT FICTIONAL EXAMPLES OF WHAT HAPPENS IN FORMAL, INFORMAL SITUATIONS RE-ASSURING A POSITIVE OUTCOME FOR THE COMMUNITY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SUGGEST SOME USEFUL EXAMPLES.

You can come up with your own, but it helps those reading the CC to apply certain situations and have a clear understanding of how this code may work in practice.

Example of an informal grievance:

Melissa attended a Sandbox dinner and agreed to be in a group photo taken by Sammy. She did not think anything of it until the following morning when she checked her LinkedIn page and noticed she was tagged in a photo. Melissa did not provide consent to Sammy to post the photo on social media. Even after asking Sammy to remove the posting, it was not removed. What should Melissa do?

Melissa can contact the Event Organizer using any of the three channels above to notify them of her issue. The Member Well Being officer contacted her after reviewing her issue and confirming this was something the group could assist with. The Officer facilitated the removal of the posting from Linked In and also reiterated the importance of consent of social media postings at a recent future training event.

Example of a serious reportable incident to local police authorities:

Frank invited Shashi to a Sandbox event as their guest. Shashi got into an argument with a Sandbox member at this event, resulting in Shashi punching this member in the face, and knocking them to the floor, and proceeded to kick the individual with some force. Police were called to the event by the Event Organizer and Shashi was arrested. As a result of this incident, Shashi was barred from all future Sandbox events.

1. Official Sandbox activities, cover events and spaces that are exclusively organised and available for Sandbox community and members including invited guests↩
2. Sandbox Berlin Agreement↩