Code of Conduct

Adopted December 2025

The WFDC encourages active member engagement in our events and online forums. To ensure these engagements remain constructive, we ask all members to adhere to the following ground rules and guidelines:

1. Constructive Disagreement

All registered Democrats can become members of the WFDC and our discussion forums thrive on a diversity of perspectives and healthy debate. Members are welcome to disagree with endorsements, policy recommendations, or advocacy actions taken by the club or its members. When engaging in disagreement:

  • Stay respectful when contributing and remember that text chat does not always capture tone. Substantive disagreement is welcome, but try to de-escalate conflict to prevent disagreements from becoming heated or repetitive.

  • Simply stating disagreement with another member isn’t constructive. If a discussion is going back and forth on the same positions without new information, try asking a question, taking a break, or moving the conversation out of the group chat to an in-person or phone/video format.

  • Avoid criticizing another member’s bias rather than their argument. Ad hominem attacks, such as criticisms based on people’s past political, work, or voluntary activities, are not allowed. 

  • Be mindful that larger forums have many members who may not share your level of interest in a particular point. 

2. When to Take a Discussion Out of Group Chat

  • If a discussion becomes overly contentious or repetitive.

  • If a conversation is veering off-topic and could be better addressed in a more focused setting.

  • For sensitive or highly personal issues that may be better discussed privately.

  • Board members/admins may step in to suggest moving a discussion to a more appropriate venue or to an in-person policy discussion event to humanize the debate and broaden the audience.

3. Privacy 

  • To protect our Group Chat as a trusted space for open communication, we have a strict “no sharing screenshots” policy. 

  • That said, as in any large group chat, consider if you would be comfortable with your message becoming public under any circumstance (accidental or not), before you send it.

4. Board Member/Admin Moderation Responsibilities

Board members and administrators are empowered to moderate discussions to ensure adherence to this Code of Conduct. Their responsibilities include:

  • Stepping in to ask participants to de-escalate or "cool it" if discussions become heated.

  • Suggesting alternative discussion venues or moving discussions to more private forums when appropriate.

  • Addressing violations of the Code of Conduct.

5. Consequences for Unconstructive Behavior

If members continue to not participate constructively or violate this Code of Conduct, the following actions may be taken:

  • Temporary removal from specific chat channels or forums.

  • Temporary or permanent suspension of online community access.

  • In severe or repeated cases, further actions may be taken as deemed appropriate by the WFDC leadership, including expulsion from the organization.

6. Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to all WFDC community participants (members, volunteers, guests) across all community venues—online (including chat, email, social media) and in-person—as well as in all one-on-one communications pertaining to WFDC business. It also applies to unacceptable behavior occurring outside the scope of community activities when such behavior has the potential to adversely affect the safety and well-being of community members.

7. Commitment to an Inclusive Environment

The WFDC is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, friendly, safe, supportive, and harassment-free environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion (or lack thereof), or any other protected characteristic. We encourage all participants to contribute to creating safe and positive experiences for everyone by:

  • Participating authentically and actively.

  • Exercising consideration and respect in speech and actions.

  • Attempting collaboration before conflict.

  • Being mindful of surroundings and fellow participants.

  • Being respectful of all patrons at community event venues.

8. Review and Amendment

The WFDC reserves the right to change or amend this Code of Conduct at any time and without notice. Members are encouraged to review these guidelines periodically to ensure adherence and compliance.

These policies supplement the existing CADEM/SFDCCC code of conduct, which the WFDC formally adopted in 2025 as part of the club’s rechartering process.