Purpose
The mission of the Community Working Group (CWG) is to uphold the Drupal Code of Conduct and to maintain a friendly and welcoming community for the Drupal project.
Expectations of Members
Membership in the CWG is considered to be a leadership role in the Drupal community. Leadership is not an award, right or title; it is a privilege and a responsibility. As leaders, members of the CWG are not only expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Drupal Code of Conduct at all times, but they are also expected to represent the best version of the Drupal community in what they say and do, and strive to uphold Drupal’s values and principles.
While members are encouraged to share their own views and perspectives, it is important that the CWG is able to speak to the other members of the community with a single voice. As such, CWG members are expected to be clear when they are speaking on behalf of the CWG and to avoid expressing personal opinions that may contradict or undermine an official stated position of the group, even when not speaking as a representative of the group.
From time to time, the CWG may bring in designated subject matter experts (SMEs) to assist with matters before the CWG. Examples of SMEs may include people with expertise in mental health issues, legal professionals, or people with knowledge of specific languages or cultures. SMEs are held to the same standards as regular members and are also expected to abide by this Code of Ethics.
Confidentiality
The CWG often deals with sensitive and confidential information. For the protection of those involved in issues that come before the CWG, all members are expected to safeguard any and all information with which they may come in contact in their roles as CWG members. CWG members are expected to use discretion at all times when discussing the business of the group.
Members may not reveal the identities of participants involved in CWG matters without their permission, except to those authorized to receive that information as part of the appeals process, or when the group agrees that doing so is necessary to protect the safety of others. While anonymized accounts of CWG matters may be shared with others in the course of CWG business or as part of public reports to the community, those accounts may not include any details that might lead someone who does not have personal knowledge of the matter to identify the individuals involved.
The expectation of upholding confidentiality remains after a member of the CWG leaves the group.
Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest may exist whenever the personal interests of a CWG member interfere – or have the appearance that they might potentially interfere – in any way with the interests of the CWG.
A conflict exists when a CWG member takes actions or has business interests that make it difficult to perform their work objectively and effectively. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- A financial interest in, business relationship with, or indebtedness to or from a person or entity involved in a matter being considered by the CWG.
- Receipt of payments, loans, services, or gifts from a person or entity involved in a matter being considered by the CWG.
- A family member receiving an improper personal benefit as a result of the person’s position in the CWG.
- A business or personal relationship with another member of the CWG or other involved entity that might interfere with either person’s ability to perform their work objectively and effectively.
Members shall not disclose or use confidential information gained through their work on the CWG for personal or professional profit or advantage.
In the event that a CWG member becomes aware that they may have a conflict of interest, they shall immediately disclose such information to the group as a whole. Such disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes of the meeting, but the details of the disclosure will be held in confidence unless the person making the disclosure and a majority of the other members of the group agree it is in the CWG’s best interest to do so.
After disclosure of the potential conflict of interest and all material facts, the member with the potential conflict of interest shall leave the meeting while the remaining members discuss and vote on whether a conflict of interest exists, and whether the member is required to recuse themselves from the issue in question.
A CWG member who has concerns that another member may have a conflict of interest may choose to discuss it individually with the member in question or the group as a whole at their discretion. Any member may recuse themselves at any time from involvement in any decision or discussion in which they believe they have or may have a conflict of interest, without going through the process for determining whether a conflict of interest exists.
A recused member shall not participate in the group’s discussion of the matter or decisions relating to it except to disclose material facts and to respond to questions. A recused member shall not attempt to exert their personal influence with respect to the matter, either at or outside the meeting. If a member would like to comment publicly on a matter from which they are recused, they shall solicit the advice of the non-recused members of the group before doing so. A recused member will still have access to CWG documentation regarding the matter in question unless a majority of the other members of the group decide otherwise.
Violations of this Policy
If the CWG has reason to believe a member has violated any part of this policy, it will inform the member and allow them to explain the alleged violation. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the CWG determines the member has violated this policy, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action. The group may also choose to escalate violations of this policy to its chartered authority as necessary and appropriate.
People outside the group may also report suspected violations of this policy to the CWG using its Incident Report Form. If they do not receive a satisfactory response, they may choose to escalate the matter to the CWG’s chartered authority following the process defined in the group’s charter.