The following text has been derived from the proposed CodeOfConduct. It has been submitted to the board as a counter-proposal to the CoC, also for presentation to the membership, that deliberately avoids any claims that might be construed as the PSF attempting to police the conduct of the entire Python community, while only being a small part of that community (albeit an influential part through the activities of our members and through the actions of the PSF board). While the CodeOfConduct is also not intended to be taken that way, the current wording means it is far too easily construed that way, causing unnecessary concern amongst some PSF members (who do not accept that the PSF has any moral authority beyond the PSF's own services, events and funding), and unnecessarily allowing those that explicitly oppose the Foundation's approach to promoting diversity to distract from the core purpose of the proposal by focusing instead on the appropriate role of the PSF within the broader Python community (see, for example, http://flosscensorship.org/. The author of that site will likely attack the foundation over the CoC proposal regardless of the outcome, but we don't need to provide them with legitimate grounds to do so. I consider "What right does the PSF have to speak for the community?" to be an effective enough distraction that we should avoid it if we can, especially since PSF members have legitimate differences of opinion on that topic).
While I initially proposed this as as *alternative* to Brian's Code of Conduct, I have instead come around to the viewing it as a *complement* to that template: I think we should vote for *and approve* both of them, for different purposes. I therefore suggest the following motions be presented to the membership as part of the upcoming ballot:
* That the PSF publish a minimal Code of Conduct (link), without defined practices or enforcement mechanisms, as a tool made available to the broader Python community for setting the tone of conferences, mailing lists, user groups, etc. Actual adoption of this code will be up to individual groups within the community.
* That the PSF adopt an explicit Statement of Values (link), based on the template Code of Conduct, tailored specifically for the PSF. This statement may form the basis for future changes to the governance structure of the PSF and the way the PSF conducts its business as we attempt to better align our practices with our ideals.
I believe that presenting two separate motions in this way greatly clarifies the purpose of the template Code of Conduct: my understanding is that it is intended as an *example*, something to inspire groups within the Python community when defining what they want *their* community to be and definitely *not* as a document that claims to speak for the entire Python community as it exists today. The Statement of Values then serves a dual role as both the basis for a future actual Code of Conduct for PSF members (including committee members), as well as an active example of a group within the Python community taking the example document and tweaking and tailoring it to make it specific to that group and explicitly adopting it *as a group*.
I believe with this framing, *both* motions will pass, and pass comfortably, and that this will create a much better basis for the Foundation to move forward in an open, respectful and considerate manner on this and related topics.
Statement of Values for the Python Software Foundation
The Python community is made up of members from around the globe with a diverse set of skills, personalities, and experiences. It is through these differences that our community experiences great successes and continued growth. When we’re working with other members of the community, we aim to follow these guidelines to help steer our interactions and strive to keep Python a positive, successful, and growing community.
As Python Software Foundation members we seek to exhibit the following traits:
Open
- Members of the foundation are open to collaboration, whether it’s on PEPs, patches, problems, or otherwise. We’re receptive to constructive comment and criticism, as the experiences and skill sets of other community members contribute to the whole of our efforts. We’re accepting of all who wish to take part in our activities, fostering an environment where anyone can participate and everyone can make a difference.
Considerate
- Members of the foundation are considerate of their peers -- other Python users. We’re thoughtful when addressing the efforts of others, keeping in mind that often times the labor was completed simply for the good of the community. We’re attentive in our communications, whether in person or online, and we’re tactful when approaching differing views.
Respectful
- Members of the foundation are respectful. We’re respectful of others, their positions, their skills, their commitments, and their efforts. We’re respectful of the volunteer efforts that permeate the Python community. We’re respectful of the processes set forth in the community, and we work within them. When we disagree, we are courteous in raising our issues.
In addition to striving to exhibit these traits ourselves, as Python Software Foundation members, we seek to promote and encourage these values throughout the broader Python community.
Overall, we aim to be a positive presence within the Python community. We contribute not because we have to, but because we want to. When we remember that, the desired traits are a natural outcome.