Code of Conduct

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Code of Conduct

Official link

Make Nashville is a place where people build cool stuff together. We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free space for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, and religion (or lack thereof). We do not tolerate harassment in any form.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a Make Nashville member or event organizer immediately. If you prefer to contact us via email, please send a message to reports@makenashville.org.

Harassment includes:

  • Offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, ethnicity, and/or religion
  • Sexual images in public spaces
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, following
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events
  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Unwelcome sexual attention


Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Make Nashville staff may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning, expelling, or permanently banning the offender.

Our staff will be happy to help participants contact local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe in our makerspace. We value your attendance.

Original source and credit: http://2012.jsconf.us/#/about & The Ada Initiative

Adapted for Make Nashville by Tony Youngblood, edited by Jenn Deafenbaugh.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Anti-Retaliation Policy

Make Nashville is committed to maintaining an environment that is free of harassment, intimidation, retaliation and discrimination. Crucial to these objectives is promoting an atmosphere where members and visitors can feel safe in raising questions or concerns without fear of retaliation. Make Nashville strictly prohibits any form of retaliatory action against members or visitors who engage in a “Protected Activity.”

Protected Activities include:

  • Raise issues
  • Ask questions
  • Make reports
  • Participate in an investigation
  • Refuse to participate in suspected improper or wrongful activity
  • Exercise workplace rights protected by law


Situations or behaviors that could lead to a person engaging in a Protected Activity include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Discrimination or harassment
  • Fraud
  • Unethical or unprofessional business conduct
  • Non-compliance with Make Nashville policies/procedures, including the Code of Conduct
  • Real or potential threats to Make Nashville guests or the public’s health and/or safety
  • Violations of local, state or federal laws and regulations
  • Other illegal or improper practices or policies

Protection from Retaliation

Any Make Nashville member or visitor who engages in a Protected Activity will be shielded from retaliation. Retaliation occurs when a Make Nashville representative takes an Adverse Action against someone because she/he engaged in a Protected Activity.

Adverse Action includes, but is not limited to:

  • Creating a hostile or intimidating work environment.
  • Suspension;
  • Termination;
  • Failing to give equal consideration in making a decisions or to make impartial staff appointment recommendations;
  • Adversely impacting working conditions or otherwise denying any Makerspace benefit to a member


Make Nashville prohibits retaliation even if the concerns raised are not confirmed following an investigation. However, reporters may be subject to Adverse Action if the reporter knowingly made a false allegation, provided false or misleading information in the course of an investigation, or otherwise acted in bad faith. This anti-retaliation policy does not exempt Make Nashville members from the consequences of their own misconduct or inadequate performance, and self-reporting such issues is not Protected Activity. The policy also does not prevent Make Nashville from addressing conduct issues after a person has engaged in Protected Activity, so long as Protected Activity is not the reason for the conduct review. Obligation to Raise Concerns

Make Nashville depends on its members and visitors to raise questions or concerns so that the makerspace can take appropriate action. Please report any suspicion of improper or wrongful activity to our staff at reports@makenashville.org. Reports of suspected improper or wrongful activity will be treated confidentially.

Make Nashville guests who believe they have either witnessed retaliation or been personally retaliated against or that any other violation of this policy has occurred, or who have questions concerning this policy, should immediately notify the Personnel Officers. Make Nashville takes all claims of retaliation very seriously and reports will be reviewed promptly and investigated where appropriate.

Consequences for Policy Violation

Any Make Nashville representative who retaliates against a person engaged in a Protected Activity or who otherwise violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including banning from the makerspace.


Original source and credit: http://www.bechtel.com/about-us/ethics-compliance/anti-retaliation-policy/

Adapted for Make Nashville by Tony Youngblood, edited by Jenn Deafenbaugh.