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Community Standards

Code of Conduct

KC Tech Forward is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and harassment-free experience for everyone. This code applies to all community interactions, events, and online spaces.

Our Pledge

In the interest of fostering an open and welcoming environment, we as members, contributors, and leaders of KC Tech Forward pledge to make participation in our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body size, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, level of experience, nationality, personal appearance, race, religion, or sexual identity and orientation.

Our Standards

Examples of behavior that contributes to creating a positive environment include:

  • Using welcoming and inclusive language
  • Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
  • Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
  • Focusing on what is best for the community
  • Showing empathy towards other community members
  • Mentoring and supporting newer members of the KC tech ecosystem

Examples of unacceptable behavior include:

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form
  • Sexualized language or imagery and unwelcome sexual attention or advances
  • Trolling, insulting or derogatory comments, and personal attacks
  • Public or private harassment
  • Publishing others' private information without explicit permission
  • Disrupting events, talks, workshops, or other community activities
  • Any conduct that could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting

Event-Specific Guidelines

At all KC Tech Forward events, including those hosted at Plexpod locations and partner venues:

  • Hackathons: Collaborate fairly, credit team members equally, and respect intellectual property. Do not sabotage other teams' work.
  • Pitch competitions: Provide constructive feedback. Respect founders who share their ideas publicly. Do not steal or replicate presented ideas.
  • Workshops: Allow all participants equal opportunity to learn and ask questions. Be patient with those at different skill levels.
  • Networking events: Respect personal boundaries. Accept “no” as an answer. Do not pressure anyone into business discussions they do not wish to have.

Online Spaces

Our code of conduct extends to all KC Tech Forward online spaces, including Slack channels, social media, forums, and email communications. The same standards of respect, inclusivity, and professionalism apply in digital interactions as in person.

Plexpod Scale Community

Members participating in the Plexpod Scale program through KC Tech Forward are additionally expected to uphold the spirit of the Scale mission: supporting underserved and early-stage entrepreneurs with generosity, shared resources, and a commitment to building a diverse and resilient startup ecosystem.

Enforcement

Community leaders and event organizers are responsible for clarifying and enforcing our standards of acceptable behavior. In response to violations, they may take any action they deem appropriate, including:

  1. Warning: A private written warning with clarity around the nature of the violation and an explanation of why the behavior was inappropriate
  2. Temporary suspension: A temporary restriction from community events and spaces
  3. Permanent ban: A permanent removal from all KC Tech Forward community spaces and events

Reporting

If you experience or witness behavior that violates this code of conduct, please report it immediately:

All reports will be reviewed and investigated promptly and fairly. The reporting party's identity will be kept confidential.

Attribution

This Code of Conduct is adapted from the Contributor Covenant, version 2.1, and customized for the KC Tech Forward community, its events, and its partnership with Intuidy Technologies and Plexpod.