Forums & Work Groups – Code of Conduct

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Participation in The Open Group Forums and Work Groups is governed by the Open Group Standards Process, and the respective charter (if any), of the relevant Forum or Work Group, including any principles contained in such charter. In the case of participation in Open Group email lists, teleconference, or face-to-face meetings, the following code of conduct (“Code of Conduct”) shall also apply. If YOU participate in the Forums or Work Groups in any way, your participation will be deemed to be your acceptance of the Standards Process, charter and the Code of Conduct, together referred to as “the Rules of The Open Group”. In the event that you do not accept the Rules of The Open Group, please DO NOT PARTICIPATE further in any Forum or Work Group, and notify the relevant Forum or Work Group Chair of such non-acceptance.
 
When using these mailing lists, or participating in chaired teleconference meetings, or chaired face-to-face meetings, please follow these rules:
 

Code of Conduct

For email exchanges:-

  1. Observe the rules of netiquette.
  2. Do not send messages that are deliberately hostile and insulting to other users.
  3. If your message is directed at just one or two members of a list, take the matter off the list, and post to them directly without copying the list.
  4. Do not trade insults with other users of the list. If a posting offends you, take the matter up with the poster directly off list, or bring it to the attention of the Chair or list administrator.
  5. Do not send spam or automated "out-of-office" or "vacation" messages to the list.
  6. Send all of your e-mails in English. Only use other languages on mailing lists where that is explicitly allowed.
  7. Make sure that you are using the proper list for the topic you are posting on.
  8. Wrap your lines at 80 characters or less for ordinary discussion.
  9. Do not use the lists to discuss or raise non-Open Group topics, such as messages to competitors about the situation in a particular market
  10. Do not send subscription or unsubscription requests to the list address itself; use the respective -request address instead or email webmaster@opengroup.org.
  11. Try to use plain text instead of HTML.
  12. Avoid sending large attachments.
  13. When replying to messages on the mailing list, do not send a carbon copy (cc) to the original poster, unless they explicitly request to be copied.
  14. If you send messages to lists to which you are not subscribed, always note that fact in the body of your message.
  15. Do not use offensive language.

For chaired teleconferences, or chaired face-to-face meetings:-

  1. Respect the authority of the Chair at all times.
  2. Do not act in a manner that is deliberately hostile and insulting to other participants.
  3. Do not trade insults with other participants. If the behavior of another participant offends you, take the matter up with that participant after the meeting, or bring it to the attention of the Chair.
  4. Communicate in English. Only use other languages in meetings where that is explicitly allowed.
  5. Do not use meetings to discuss or raise non-Open Group topics, such as discussions with competitors about the situation in a particular market
  6. Do not monopolize the time of the meeting. Make your point and defer to other participants who which to contribute there opinions.
  7. Once a consensus has been achieved and agreed, accept that consensus and allow the meeting to move on to other matters.
  8. Do not use offensive language.

If an individual of a member organization violates the Rules of The Open Group, the following steps may be taken by The Open Group, as appropriate:

Breach of Code of Conduct/Charter

  1. verbal and written warning regarding behavior – to the individual and the member organization represented by such individuals
  2. suspension of the individual’s rights to participate in The Open Group, for a period of three (3) months
  3. suspension of the individual’s organization – temporarily or permanently

Breaches of the Rules of The Open Group shall be reported to The Open Group management by the Forum Chair, (or all Forum Co-Chairs acting together). In the event of a breach occurring in a committee, Working Group or other sub-group of a Forum or Work Group, such breach should be reported to the relevant Forum or Work Group Chair by the chair of such sub-group.

In the event of a suspension, the suspended individual’s member organization may assign an alternate representative to the Forum. When the suspended period is up, the offender may resume participation with full privileges, or the alternate representative may be confirmed as the permanent representative.

A second suspension by the same individual will result in permanent suspension of the individual. In such case, the relevant member organization may appoint a new representative to the Forum. If the new member representative continues to violate the principles of the Forum, the member organization itself may be suspended.

The Forum or Work Group Chair shall report any breaches of the Rules of The Open Group to the VP, Membership and Events, who shall within 7 working days, decide on the sanction for such breach in her absolute discretion, and notify the individual (and relevant Forum or Work Group Chair) accordingly.

Process for Reporting Breach

In the event that the individual in breach wishes to appeal against the sanction decided upon by the VP, Membership & Events – such individual shall, within 7 working days, submit a written appeal (email is acceptable) containing the reasons for appeal to the President & CEO of The Open Group for consideration. In the event of such appeal, the President & CEO of The Open Group shall reject or accept the appeal and confirm, amend, or lift any sanction previously imposed.

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