Description

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to create a robust working culture that encourages high standards for inclusivity, representation and respect. This is a high impact document that serves as one of the DAO’s foundations for a thriving and globally focused ecosystem.

Abstract

This is a proposal to officiate the proposed Code of Conduct, drafted by a myriad of Stewards and Contributors.

The Code of Conduct guides participants of the ENS DAO towards a course of best action, as well as illustrating cultural practices that observe and respect individual agency and will to power.

The Code of Conduct also introduces the concept of Dynamic Proposals, which are subject to bi-annual revision by Council.

Specification

Code of Conduct (2022)

1. Pledge

   1. We as members, contributors, and leaders of ENS DAO pledge to maintain a safe space that encourages high standards for inclusivity and representation.
   2. Accessibility is core to our ethos, and so all exchanges on our platform will be documented and stored in a public space for members of our Community to refer to.
   3. Interactions within ENS DAO or on behalf of ENS DAO should be in good faith, and good faith should be assumed of the other party as well. Intentionality and mindfulness in how we choose to engage with the Community is at the center of what it means to be a productive member.
   4. Participating in the Community means we welcome people from all walks of life; no matter their sexual orientation, race, creed, age, religion, culture, philosophy, ideology, gender, and so forth.
   5. We will do our best to accommodate both the needs of neurotypical and neurodiverse Community members; recognizing that each Community members’ voice is equally impactful and important to the development of our overall ecosystem.

2. Rights and Responsibilities

   1. As members of a diverse Community, we must respect and observe that our values and beliefs may not align with one another.
   2. Nevertheless, we acknowledge and respect the sovereign rights of each member in our Community, but not at the risk or peril of another; infringing upon, alienating, or marginalizing any individual or group within the Community is not tolerated.
   3. Therefore, we act and interact in ways that contribute to an open, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and healthy Community.

3. Value Aligned Conduct

   1. To operate from a prosocial, human centered perspective; cultural practices encourage leadership that facilitates an open Community, welcomes new members and provides cultural-protocol related developments to the Community.
   2. To observe the values outlined within this Code of Conduct by proxy of best demonstration.
   3. To provide guidance and support regarding ENS services and the ENS DAO via technical documentation such as gitbooks, user guides and moderator support.
   4. To define expectations in the Onboarding process, promote communication within and amongst Working Groups, and explain the process of Contributor rewards and compensation.
   5. To praise members’ contribution to the Community and incentivize participation of existing and ongoing initiatives throughout the ENS DAO.
   6. To transparency, making information accessible, recording public meetings, and creating an environment that welcomes all.
   7. To encourage initiatives that are focused on using the ENS Protocol in an ethical manner and strive to only create positive impact.

4. Creating Safe Spaces

   1. We hold ourselves to high standards of safety, resilience and integrity. This includes both online and real world interactions between the members of the ENS DAO regardless of their role or position. Social boundaries and rules of engagement must be respected and maintained at all times.
   2. We create an environment where everyone should feel safe to be themselves, interact with others, and express their opinions and contributions free from any malicious reaction.
   3. Our approach is to trust first; but any obvious instances of deceit, spamming, harassment, violent or profane language and other suspected or obvious fraudulent activity will be treated as a violation of this Code of Conduct.

5. How We Work

   1. We encourage our members to be radically open source, non-hierarchical, creative, transparent in their intentions, and accountable for their actions.
   2. Ideas are meant to be shared. We default to using MIT and Creative Commons with attribution licensing on our work, but we accept all open source licenses.
   3. Everyone is encouraged to exercise their autonomy, creativity and full agency when acting in the Community. Every individual is wise in their own respect, and the diversity of perspectives enriches our Community.
   4. We value individuals’ efforts to act transparently and to proactively identify their incentives, especially if there are conflicts of interest when it comes down to proposing, funding, work progress and other important activities involving the ENS Community.
   5. Community members are held accountable for all their actions and commitments. Accountability brings trust, and trusting in each other is critical for our success.

6. Best Practices

   1. Demonstrating empathy and kindness towards other people and their circumstances.
   2. Practicing mindful, prosocial communication.
   3. Being respectful of differing opinions, viewpoints, and experiences.
   4. Giving and gracefully accepting constructive feedback.
   5. Accepting responsibility and apologizing to those affected by our mistakes, and learning from the experience.
   6. Focusing on what is best not just for us as individuals, but for the overall Community.
   7. Giving praise generously where praise is due.

7. Prohibited Behavior

   1. The use of sexualized language or imagery, and sexual attention or advances of any kind.
   2. The use of unnecessarily caustic language and attitudes in communications on and offline.
   3. Trolling, insulting or derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks.
   4. Public or private harassment, both on and offline.
   5. Publishing others’ private information, such as a physical or email address, without their explicit permission.

8. Enforcement Responsibilities

   1. Stewards, Lead Coordinators and Contributors are responsible for clarifying and encouraging Best Practices and will take appropriate action in response to any behavior that are outside of the boundaries illustrated within this Code of Conduct.
   2. Community leaders have the right and responsibility to remove, edit, or reject comments, commits, code, wiki edits, issues, and other contributions that are not aligned to this Code of Conduct, and will communicate reasons for moderation decisions when appropriate.
   3. Every Community member has a responsibility to hold one another accountable to practice the standards and cultural values outlined herein.

9. Conflict Management & Resolution

   1. Despite best efforts to create a safe space for Community members to thrive in, there remains a possibility for conflict that can endanger the health of our Community. In anticipation of this, our Community has developed a Conflict Resolution Protocol to prevent and manage conflict.
   2. Community members are responsible for maintaining a prosocial environment that fosters trust by demonstrating the values described within the Code of Conduct.
   3. Community members observe the boundaries outlined within this Code of Conduct in order to avoid miscommunication which can lead to apparent or intentional infringement of Community members’ respective sovereignty.
   4. Each member will act with respect to their roles and unless otherwise specified, those roles will define and guide the way in which members will engage with the Community as a whole.
   5. Members are encouraged to observe applicable laws within their localized jurisdiction. Minor infractions that bear no outstanding burden to themselves or their Community should not bar a member from participating in the DAO.
   6. Any considerable infraction will be noted and taken into consideration by Stewards when engaging with a perpetrator of The Law.
   7. It is the responsibility of each member of the Community to hold each other accountable for violations to the Code of Conduct. Stewards are responsible for fielding and reviewing each issue submitted to them via ENS DAO’s official Forum (via Direct Message or otherwise).
   8. Incidents and conflicts that require special attention are to be brought to the attention of the Stewards. The Stewards will meet to discuss the issue and work to resolve it through a process of consensus. If the issue cannot be resolved through consensus, it will then be brought to the attention of the Community as a whole.
   9. We highlight rehabilitative approaches rather than punitive measures; therefore, sanctions are a more appropriate measure for conflict resolution. Outright punishment (banning) tends to create resentment. Instead, Community leaders should learn from the experience and create a use case that can be used to help improve the overall Community experience.
   10. If you or someone you know feel it necessary to report a potential conflict, abuse, or safety concern, contact one of our Stewards directly via a Forum Message.

10. Principles

    1. This space is a Public Good, treat it with as much respect as you would your own space.
    2. Common sense is not so common; asking the Community for help is encouraged.
    3. Pro social discussions help to grow the Community, think about how you can add to existing conversation.
    4. Open dialogue and constructive criticism is encouraged.
    5. Don’t dignify bad behavior with a response, simply flag it.
    6. Highlight productive conversations and focus on solution oriented approaches and communication.
    7. Keep discussion orderly. No spamming, double posting or divergent replies.

11. Scope

    1. The Code of Conduct applies within all Community spaces, online and offline. It serves as a guideline for any individual who wishes to participate in and/or contribute to the ENS DAO on any level, whether as a developer or Community member or anything related.
    2. Members who are purposefully involved at the level of a Director or Steward of the ENS DAO should adhere to the Code of Conduct in order to set a best example for the rest of the Community. Becoming involved in the ENS DAO on that level means that you are representing ENS DAO and that any communications inside and outside of the DAO should be made with this same Code of Conduct in mind.
    3. Examples of representing our Community include using an official e-mail address, posting via an official social media account, or acting as an appointed representative at an online or offline event.

12. Terms of Service

    1. Review our Terms of Service 7 related to content, privacy, and laws. To use this service, you must agree to abide by our TOS 7.
    2. Cayman Islands’ procedural and substantive law shall apply to the interpretation and enforcement of these Terms of Service, including the available remedies, if any.