Code of Conduct

**New members and membership renewals will require acknowledgement and agreement to these terms and conditions. Southern Fried is a community built on love and committed to the nurturing of happy, healthy, and whole poets. Come for the poems- stay for the love.**

Community Guidelines for In‑Person and Virtual Spaces

A healthy community depends on respect, safety, inclusion, and accountability — whether interactions happen face‑to‑face or online. These guidelines will not be applied retroactively.

I. Core Principles

These principles apply everywhere—meetings, events, chats, forums, and video calls.

• Respect for others — Treat everyone with dignity, even during disagreements.
• Inclusivity — Welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
• Safety — Maintain an environment free from harassment, discrimination, and intimidation.
• Accountability — Own your actions and repair harm when it occurs.
• Constructive communication — Speak honestly, listen actively, and avoid personal attacks.

II. In‑Person Behavior Expectations

• Respect personal space — Physical boundaries vary; always ask before initiating contact.
• Use appropriate language — Avoid slurs, insults, or demeaning comments.
• Be mindful of tone and volume — Keep discussions calm and considerate.
• Follow event or venue rules — Adhere to safety protocols, accessibility guidelines, and staff instructions.
• Respect time and participation — Arrive on time, avoid dominating conversations, and allow others to contribute.
• No harassment or discrimination — Zero tolerance for bullying, unwanted attention, or exclusionary behavior.

III. Virtual / Online Behavior Expectations

• Use clear and respectful communication — Tone can be misread; choose words carefully.
• No disruptive behavior — Avoid spamming, trolling, or derailing discussions.
• Protect privacy — Do not share others’ personal information without consent.
• Use appropriate channels — Keep conversations in the correct forum, ask questions in the correct spaces, etc.
• Follow online group rules — Adhere to the policies of the tools being used (Zoom, FB, YouTube, etc).
• No hate speech or harmful content — This includes threats, harassment, or discriminatory remarks.

IV. Unacceptable Behaviors

These apply to both in‑person and online spaces.

• Harassment — Verbal, physical, sexual, or psychological
• Threats or violence — Any form of intimidation or harm.
• Bullying — Repeated, targeted negative behavior.
• Sharing harmful or illegal content
• Retaliation — Punishing someone for reporting a concern.

V. Reporting and Accountability

• How to report concerns — Provide clear channels (email, form, moderator contact).
• Confidentiality — Reports are handled discreetly and respectfully.
• Investigation process — The Safety Committee, with oversight from the Health & Wellness Committee, and licensed/legal professionals will handle investigation of reported issues.
• Consequences — May include warnings, removal from events, or permanent bans.
• Restorative options — When appropriate, mediation or facilitated dialogue may be offered.

1. Violations to the Code of Conduct

Whether during or outside of the festival, violations to the Code of Conduct will have consequences appropriate to the level of infraction.

Possible penalties may include, but are not limited to:

• Removal from the Southern Fried Facebook Group
• Mandatory volunteering at the festival (timekeeping/scorekeeping)
• Removal from competition list
• Probationary periods with required objectives
• Suspension from Southern Fried events (workshops, festivals, conferences, etc.)

Members who consistently show a lack of regard, care, or concern for the culture of Southern Fried and the preservation of its environment may be banned permanently. Members who are found to be consistently harmful will be banned permanently.