Code of Conduct
Last updated: 24th May 2024
Report any discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or unprofessional conduct using our confidential electronic reporting system.
NextGen Showcase asks that you use the electronic reporting system, because it is available 24/7 from anywhere globally.
If you cannot report the behaviour using our online incident reporting system, please email info@nextgenshowcase.com. All reports will be kept as confidential as possible, and will not be shared with any individuals not directly connected to the alleged incident. Complaints should not be shared in any forum other than through these official reporting mechanisms.
Code of Conduct Policy
NextGen Showcase (“we”, “us”, “our”) expects all parties involved with NextGen Showcase to follow our code of conduct. This aligns with our Statement of Inclusion (available on the last page of this document) to ensure that all parties have equal access to our services such as events and educational programming.
1. Purpose of Document
a. This Code of Conduct must be signed in order to participate in the NextGen Showcase Educational Program (hereafter referred to as the ‘Project’ or the ‘Program’) in any capacity.
b. This Code of Conduct is to ensure the appropriate conduct of all parties involved in the project, aligning with our Statement of Inclusion (available on the last page of this document) to ensure that all parties have equal access to our services such as events and educational programming.
2. Parties Concerned
The language used throughout the project to refer to each group of parties involved is as follows:
a. “Participants” refers to people who participate in the NextGen Showcase educational program (“The Showcase”) and its associated activities such as events and educational sessions.
b. “Project Managers”, “Creative Directors”, “Project Coordinators”, “Tech Directors” refers to leadership roles within Participant Teams of The Showcase.
c. “Mentors” refers to industry professionals providing guidance to each team of Participants throughout the educational program.
d. “Educational Speakers” present educational content in the form of online webinars, in-person presentations, et cetera.
e. “Clients” are industry professionals providing feedback to Participants on their work produced at the end of each phase of the educational program.
f. “Management” or “Management Team” refers to the group of individuals running the NextGen Showcase non-profit educational program and its associated services.
As of 24th May 2024, the following individuals constitute the Management Team: Laura Marakowits, Lars van de Crommert, Emma Bashford.
This group is responsible for holding all NextGen Showcase stakeholders (including other Management members) accountable to the Code of Conduct.
Should a member of the Management Team breach the Code of Conduct or Project Agreement, a complaint may be raised directly with the Project Director, Laura Marakowits.
If the Project Director breaches the Code of Conduct or Project Agreement, a complaint may be raised via the Incident Reporting Form available on the NextGen Showcase website, or by requesting the form from the Management Team via ‘info@nextgenshowcase.com’.
g. “Resources Team” refers to the group of individuals curating content for the NextGen Showcase website and associated marketing efforts.
3. Expected Behaviour
We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and productive environment for all parties involved with NextGen Showcase. We place a high value on teamwork and ethical conduct. As an organisation, we follow the laws and regulations that govern us, and as someone involved with the program, we expect you to do the same. Your conduct at meetings and events and your conduct connected to your affiliation with NextGen Showcase is also a direct reflection of us. Because you represent us, the community's impression of you will often be their impression of our entire organisation.
4. Unacceptable Behaviour
NextGen Showcase has a strict policy against discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and unprofessional and disrespectful conduct of any type.
Our policy prohibiting harassment and unprofessional conduct applies to all persons involved in the operations of the organisation. It covers harassment and unprofessional conduct of any involved party, or any person who has a business, service, or professional relationship with NextGen Showcase.
Conduct prohibited by this policy is unacceptable in any organisation-related setting, such as:
• During events and meetings
• During organisation-related socialising
• While communicating with participants or third-parties in person, via email or other electronic medium (including social media), or via telephone
• While engaging with the private NextGen Showcase Discord Server
• Any other organisation-related setting
You are expected to meet and maintain our standards for behaviour. Although there is no way to identify every possible violation of our Code of Conduct, the following is a partial list of violations and examples of such:
• Harassment (both sexual and non-sexual), such as:
o Making sexually suggestive comments, jokes, advances, or offering benefits in exchange for sexual favours
o Posting, passing around or displaying sexually suggestive or obscene objects
o Gender identity-based harassment including harassment by someone of the same gender identity as the victim
o Any abusive conduct that a reasonable person would find hostile, offensive, and unrelated to an involved party’s legitimate organisation interests
• Discrimination, such as:
o Treating an individual differently based on their age, race, sexuality, disability status, gender identity or other protected characteristics (as previously outlined)
o Slurs, jokes, and comments based on the outlined protected characteristics
o Behaviour that results in unfair disadvantages based on the outlined protected characteristics
o Giving an unfair advantage or disadvantage to any party by virtue of personal relations. For example: a Participant in a Leadership role within their Program Team favouring the work of a Team Member whom they have a personal relationship with.
o Giving an unfair advantage or disadvantage to any party by virtue of their protected characteristics.
• Retaliation, that includes:
o Retaliation against an individual because they have complained about harassment, discrimination, retaliation, abusive conduct, or unprofessional behaviour
o Retaliation against an individual who has participated in an investigation based on a complaint regarding violations of the NextGen Showcase Code of Conduct
o Even if the original allegations are determined to be unfounded, if retaliation has occurred as a result of a complaint, appropriate corrective action will be taken
• Acts that are illegal based on the laws of the country in which the incident occurred
• Violence or threats of violence, such as:
o Fighting
o Throwing things
o Horseplay
o Practical jokes
• Weapons of any kind at meetings or live events
• Use of any controlled substance while engaged in organisation-related activities
• Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to:
o Offensive, abusive, or vulgar language or materials
o Bullying or intimidation
o Engaging in acts of dishonesty, fraud, theft, or sabotage
o Slanderous, or malicious acts
o Any behaviour that poses a safety, health, or security risk
o While expressing your personal opinions, identifying yourself as representing NextGen Showcase or its views, unless you are expressly authorised to do so by a member of the Management Team
• Refusal to comply with lawful instructions
5. Addressing Grievances
Upon completing an investigation of the alleged violation, where warranted, appropriate corrective action will be taken to eliminate the unacceptable behaviour and deter it from occurring in the future. Corrective action may include, but is not limited to:
• Official warnings
• Expulsion from the particular event, meeting or Educational Program
• Immediately ending any volunteer responsibilities and privileges the violator holds for that event or meeting
• Banning the violator from volunteering or participating in future events, either indefinitely or for a certain period of time
• Removing and banning the violator from participation in the organisation
6. Complaint Procedure
All involved parties are responsible for creating and maintaining a positive environment. If you believe you have been a victim of or witnessed discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or unprofessional behaviour, it is important that you take steps to address it immediately so that complaints can be promptly addressed.
If you are comfortable doing so, and you do not feel threatened in any way, talk to the person whose behaviour is bothering you and ask the person to stop. If the behaviour occurs at a NextGen Showcase event and you need help, report the behaviour to the on-site NextGen Showcase Management Team Representative or to the venue security personnel. If you believe a crime has been committed, please contact local emergency services.
Regardless of whether you seek help at an event or not, it is imperative that you report any discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or unprofessional conduct through our confidential online Incident Reporting Form, as soon as possible after the incident. If, for some reason you cannot report the behaviour using the online Incident Reporting Form, you may report it to NextGen Showcase Management at ‘info@nextgenshowcase.com’.
To maintain confidentiality for all parties, complaints must be reported either through the specified official channels. Do not register complaints in any other forums. You will be asked to provide as many details of the incident as possible, such as:
• Identifying information (name badge, appearance, etc.) of the person who violated the Code of Conduct
• The behaviour that was in violation
• The location and approximate time of the behaviour
• The circumstances surrounding the incident
• Other people involved or witnessing the incident
• Your desired outcome in reporting the incident
A prompt, thorough, and objective investigation of the complaint will be conducted as impartially as possible by the Project Director or another member of the Management Team, if required. Documentation will be maintained to ensure reasonable progress. The investigation may include individual interviews with the parties involved and, where necessary, with individuals who may have observed the alleged conduct or may have other relevant knowledge. Reasonable conclusions based on the evidence collected will be reached and the complaint will be closed in a timely manner.
If violations of the Code of Conduct Policy are found as a result of an investigation, we will administer appropriate corrective action.
7. Expectations of Confidentiality
To the extent possible, the investigation of a complaint and any subsequent action taken in response to the complaint will proceed in an atmosphere of confidentiality. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigatory process to the extent consistent with adequate investigation and appropriate corrective action. Individuals who have raised complaints should immediately make a further complaint should the conduct reoccur.
The practice of confidentiality extends to the accused as well as to the complainant and any witnesses to the alleged violation. Complaints should not be shared in any forum other than through the official reporting mechanisms. To protect the privacy of the complainant, and the accused, NextGen Showcase expects that the information included in these reports will be kept confidential and not shared with any individuals not directly connected to the alleged incident.
8. NextGen Showcase’s Scope of Authority
Our authority to investigate and address alleged misconduct extends solely to its own meetings and events. NextGen Showcase does not have the authority to receive nor act on complaints regarding other organisations’ events in which NextGen Showcase-involved parties do not have a direct involvement. Complaints outside of our scope of authority should be addressed to the organisation that is or has sponsored the meeting or event where the alleged misconduct took place.