Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct ​
Hearthlight aims to ensure a safe, open, and welcoming environment for all participants. As such, the following actions prohibited at all Hearthlight activities: Possible corrective actions for violating one or more of the items on the above list include a verbal warning, a recorded warning, or immediate expulsion from the related activity or event. Every Chapter or Event Official must acknowledge any violations witnessed or brought before them. Failure to do so or falsifying records about a violation may result in corrective action. The Hearthlight Board of Directors (as well as each Chapter) reserves the right to suspend or ban a participant from all Hearthlight (or Chapter) activities for any of the above actions, and can set the length of said suspension or ban for any amount of time they deem appropriate.
 * 1) Acts or threats of physical violence beyond the rules and set boundaries of combat.
 * 2) Abuse or harassment as defined by local, state, or federal law.
 * 3) Unwelcoming behavior including, but not limited to, inappropriate physical contact, unwanted sexual attention, offensive verbal comments, deliberate off-field intimidation, stalking, producing harassing media, and disrupting talks or activities.
 * 4) Discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, or citizenship.
 * 5) Violations of local, state, or federal law of any kind.
 * 6) Intentionally or repeatedly failing to follow the rules of combat
 * 7) Destruction or theft of property belonging to others.
 * 8) Hate speech or affiliation with a hate group as identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

If an individual is subject to or witnesses any incident that violates this Code of Conduct, it is encouraged that they point out the inappropriate behavior to the persons involved. Often this will solve the problem immediately. If this does not resolve the issue or the individual does not feel comfortable addressing the incident themselves, the incident should be reported with as many details as possible to the Event Staff, and Event Official, or a Chapter Official. If an individual is not comfortable coming forward the moment the incident occurs or wishes to remain anonymous, they can provide Chapter Officials with details of the violation using the online [CoC Report Form]*. Hearthlight will take all reports seriously regardless of which method is preferred.

This document is hosted on Hearthlight's website. That version is the authoritative version.