Background to the recent revision of the Code
The original NumFOCUS Code of Conduct was implemented in 2013. Since then, there have not been any significant updates to the Code even though the community at large has evolved significantly in thinking about how to approach conduct and culture.
In light of this, and in recognizing that our existing Code was not serving our community as well as it could, the NumFOCUS Diversity and Inclusion in Scientific Computing (DISC) Program undertook the effort of updating our Code of Conduct. An open call for volunteers was issued to the community, and a working group under the DISC Committee was formed to draft a revised Code. The revised version of the NumFOCUS Code of Conduct was then reviewed and ratified by the Board of Directors.
The primary changes involve specifying the scope of the Code and affirming that it applies to digital as well as in-person spaces; providing a specific, positive vision of the community culture we wish to promote and uphold; formalizing and naming the members of the NumFOCUS Code of Conduct Enforcement Team; revising our method of collecting and storing reports in light of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); and clarifying our process for how we handle investigations of reported violations.
We have still more work to do; NumFOCUS will next turn to developing well-documented enforcement procedures, trainings for key personnel (including event staff), and support for our sponsored and affiliated projects to update their own Codes and enforcement procedures.
If you are interested in being involved with this process as a volunteer, please reach out to us.