RVTEC Code of Conduct
1. RVTEC is committed to creating an inclusive environment.
The RVTEC Code of Conduct is intended as a supplement to the UNOLS Code of Conduct. Developed collaboratively by the RVTEC community, this document reflects our dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment and provides the guiding principles for how we engage with one another respectfully and hold ourselves accountable.
An inclusive environment includes:
· Encouraging ideas and contributions from everyone.
· Having equal access and opportunity for participation.
· Being accountable to each other and considerate in our language.
· Recognizing that our behaviors affect those around us.
2. Having a Code of Conduct matters for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Developing a RVTEC code of conduct shows that we intend to hold ourselves responsible to live up to values that support and positively impact our community. Our code helps us create an inclusive environment by clearly defining the behaviors we encourage, as well as those we discourage. It also helps all of our members feel empowered and welcomed to participate fully within RVTEC no matter their gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, body size, race, religion, education, national origin, political affiliation, or cultural identity.
3. Who does the Code of Conduct apply to and when?
The Code of Conduct applies to interactions and behaviors between representatives of the RVTEC community, guests and other attendees during professional events and related social gatherings, including:
· RVTEC annual meetings
· RVTEC subcommittee meetings
· RVTEC online communications (email, social media, virtual events, etc.)
· Social events under the umbrella of RVTEC
4. Examples of appropriate behaviors:
· Act in a constructive manner free from any form of discrimination, harassment, unwanted attention, or retaliation.
· Support fellow technicians’ access to information, tools, and resources necessary to be successful in their position and encourage asking questions. Credit sources and receive permission to share original ideas.
· Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative. Be aware of language and behavior that can be perceived as insensitive. Be mindful of people’s personal space.
· Be accountable for your actions, learn from other viewpoints and experiences, and be open to change. It is ok to make mistakes; excellent community members learn from them.
· Be mindful of your surroundings. Respect the rules and policies of meeting venues, hotels, online platforms or other contracted facilities.
· Speak up when you identify someone in distress, dangerous situations, or failures to meet these guidelines by organizers or participants. Collaborate to improve policies and practices for the betterment of the RVTEC community.
5. Examples of inappropriate behaviors:
· Don’t use intentionally offensive or insulting language, gestures or images. Hostile or derogatory comments are not permitted.
· Don’t engage in unwanted physical or sexual attention, which includes but is not limited to questions of a sexual nature, asking for sexual favors, repeatedly asking for dates or contact information, or the inappropriate display of nudity or sexual images.
· Don’t engage in illegal activities. This includes but is not limited to engaging in violent and threatening behavior, inciting violence, stalking, intimidating, bullying, trolling, or retaliating against anyone who files a complaint.
· Don’t engage in sustained or willful disruption of talks or other conference activities, including online discussion and continued communication after a request to cease.
· Don’t post inappropriate images, comments or jokes on RVTEC community forums, including the mailing list, Slack, Zooms or other virtual formats.
· Don’t misuse or share private communications or personal information including deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent.
6. Dealing with or reporting problems:
Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior as covered by this Code of Conduct is expected to comply immediately. In most cases a direct conversation between individuals may resolve a conduct issue.
For more information, or if you wish to report an issue, need assistance, and would like someone to follow-up, contact the RVTEC Chair, RVTEC Chair-Elect, or the UNOLS office. Contact information is available on the UNOLS website: https://www.unols.org/committee/research-vessel-technical-enhancement-committee-rvtec.
Meeting Organizers will discuss reports and may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning, a formal report to the individual’s employer, or legal action.
Lastly, be aware of your own employer’s resources and reporting responsibilities while attending RVTEC meetings or traveling for work. Additional institutional resources may be found at https://www.unols.org/shipboard-civility.
For urgent or emergent issues, please contact the appropriate local jurisdiction.
7. Commitment to a process of continual improvement for the RVTEC community.
The "E" in RVTEC defines our community's purpose as the Enhancement of the Academic Research Fleet. To ensure that RVTEC has access to top talent with a variety of skills and perspectives it is imperative that RVTEC be a welcoming community with equitable opportunity and access for everyone. Commitment to this code of conduct (as a community and as individuals) is one of many iterative steps toward the continual improvement of service to RVTEC’s core mission.
8. For references, other resources and acknowledgements: https://www.unols.org/document/rvtec-code-conduct
List of References and Other Resources
The RVTEC DEI Working Group members consulted a variety of online resources to help determine how to run RVTEC DEI meetings and what should be included in the Mission Statement and Code of Conduct. Several ideas were adapted from the information available in the following websites and documents
AGU: Advancing Earth and Space Science, Meetings Code of Conduct, https://www.agu.org/Plan-for-a-Meeting/AGUMeetings/Meetings-Resources/Meetings-code-of-conduct
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES): Advancing Indigenous People in STEM, https://www.aises.org
A.T. Miller [special guest]. 29 April 2022. Communication within the RVTEC DEI Working Group. https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-t-miller-70b22a8/for
Buffer: Our Code of Conduct and Why it’s Important for Diversity and Inclusion, https://buffer.com/resources/code-of-conduct/
Chilazi and Bohnet. 3 December 2020. Analytics and Data Science: How to Best Use Data to Meet Your DE&I Goals. Harvard Business Review, https://hbr.org/2020/12/how-to-best-use-data-to-meet-your-dei-goals
ComputerScience.org: Organizations for Black Computer Science Students and Professionals, https://www.computerscience.org/resources/cs-organizations-black-students-professionals/
Educause Guide to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, https://www.educause.edu/about/the-educause-guide-to-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
Graham, Hodsdon, Busse and Crosby. 31 March 2022. BIPOC Voices in Ocean Sciences: A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Impacting Career Retention. Journal of Geoscience Education, Taylor and Francis Online, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10899995.2022.2052553
MAES: Latinos in Science and Engineering, https://mymaes.org
Python Software Foundation, Code of Conduct, https://www.python.org/psf/conduct/
Redwood City, California: Roles in a Meeting, https://www.redwoodcity.org/home/showpublisheddocument/1020/635708144174270000
Science Friday: Indigenous Knowledge is Central to Climate Solutions, https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/indigenous-science-climate-change/
Science Friday: Widening the Lens On a More Inclusive Science, https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/indigenous-science/
Second Unitarian Church of Omaha, Leadership 2014: Process Observer Checklist, https://www.2uomaha.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Leadership2014_Process-Obser-Check-List.pdf
Trusted CI: The NSF Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Code of Conduct, https://www.trustedci.org/code-of-conduct
University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS), Shipboard Civility: Fostering a Respectful Work Environment, Modules I-III and Discussion Guide, https://www.unols.org/shipboard-civility
University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS), Research Vessel Safety Standards (RVSS), 11th Edition, https://www.unols.org/sites/default/files/RVSS_11thEd-12Nov2021.pdf
Women Offshore Foundation, https://womenoffshore.org
Acknowledgements
The RVTEC DEI Working Group wishes to thank A.T. Miller of the University of Nebraska Omaha (https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-t-miller-70b22a8/for) for the guidance they provided by both sharing their experience in the DEI field and guiding us on how to format our meetings. A.T. is active in many projects including “The Scholar as Human”, https://scholarashuman.com/portfolio/a-t-miller/ .
Special thanks also go to the Maintaining an Environment of Respect Aboard Ships (MERAS) Committee for sharing their extensive knowledge and their 2022 RVTEC Field Safety Tool Kit Session Materials 2022 RVTEC Field Safety Tool Kit Session Materials - Google Drive which include many helpful resources about DEI, developing a Code of Conduct and inclusive meeting guidelines, as well as field safety resources and offshore industry initiatives.
Lastly, thanks to the RVTEC DEI WG members for meeting regularly to discuss the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, for researching ways to improve workplace interactions, and for developing the Mission Statement and Code of Conduct.