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Code of Conduct

Atla Code of Conduct

Adopted August 7, 2023

Atla is a community that unites around our core purpose to promote worldwide scholarly communication in religion and theology by advancing the work of libraries and related information providers. Our interactions are guided by our Core Values.  

A diverse community includes everyone and is the foundation for meaningful exploration and exchange of ideas. Our diversity strengthens us as an organization, broadens our knowledge base, and stimulates innovation. In the spirit of hospitality and inclusion, we come together in a welcoming environment that we honor as free from any form of disruptive behavior, harassment, discrimination, or violence. While supporting the widest possible access to relevant information, our actions should reflect a respect for intellectual property.  

As members of the Atla Community, which we define as all members as well as all non-members participating in any Atla hosted event, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other, and to take steps to mitigate and prevent incidents and acts of hate or violence.  Community members should respect the larger Community’s diversity of thought when sharing differing perspectives.  We commit to working together to make our spaces free from harassment and discrimination based on race or ethnicity, ancestry, place of origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, creed/religion (including lack thereof), age or career stage, socioeconomic status, marital/family status, or any characteristic protected by law. This Code of Conduct applies to all Community members. Any Community member found to have acted contrary to any provision of this Code or any other relevant rules or to their spirit while participating in an Atla hosted event or activity, including online communications or interactions, may be subject to disciplinary outcomes.*  All online interactions must comply with our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.  

Additionally, as stewards of information, Community members also agree to respect the intellectual property of our fellow scholars. Accordingly, Community members shall not engage in the unauthorized use or replication of another’s work, including, but not limited to, the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material in our spaces as well as the unauthorized sharing of presentations, materials, handouts, etc. that might be received while interacting with other Community members or attending Atla functions. Presentations may not be recorded without the advance, written consent of the presenter and Atla. 

Actions and behaviors discussed above are strictly prohibited in all Atla spaces including, but not limited to, conferences, committee meetings, and online spaces. In the event of inappropriate behavior related to this Code of Conduct, Atla will, as an organization, promptly investigate, evaluate, and determine appropriate outcomes. Appointed by the Executive Director, the Atla Conduct Committee is charged with this work. 

Atla Conduct Committee 

The Atla Conduct Committee is appointed by the Executive Director. Each member is required to participate in a training activity each year focused on investigative procedures and restorative justice. The Committee consists of: 

  • 4-6 at large members of any membership class (Individual, Retired, Emeritus, Student, Institutional Member Representative, Affiliate Member Representative) serving staggered three-year terms  
  • Representative from the Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in their 2nd or 3rd year of service on the committee 
  • Director of Membership & Engagement (staff liaison) 

Reporting 

Any Community member who believes that they have been a victim of a violation of the Code of Conduct should report the incident immediately to anyone listed below. 

  • Executive Director 
  • Director of Membership & Engagement 
  • Any member of the Conduct Committee 

Reporting individuals will be treated with respect, and Atla prohibits retaliation of any kind against an individual reporting a perceived violation of the Code of Conduct. Individuals who experience retaliation for reporting alleged Code of Conduct violations are encouraged to report, consistent with this policy. 

The Conduct Committee will not proceed with an investigation of anonymous complaints. All reports will be treated with privacy and discretion. Atla honors the confidentiality of conversations and any information obtained during the response and resolution process will be disclosed only to the extent required by law, or as required for Atla to respond appropriately. 

Investigation 

An individual or team composed of members of the Conduct Committee begins a prompt investigation when a report is made. Conflict of interest will be considered when assigning members to the investigation and it will be conducted in a fair, impartial, thorough, and timely manner.  

Status, investigation results, and determined outcomes will be communicated to the individual who made the report. Full details may not be disclosed to preserve privacy, but every attempt will be made to provide sufficient information to show the reporting individual that appropriate action was taken. 

Outcomes 

Any person determined to be in violation of the Code of Conduct will be subject to appropriate outcomes, as determined by the Conduct Committee. In keeping with the values of the association, outcomes will focus on restorative practices when possible and appropriate and may include counseling, training, and/or monitoring. However, different incidents may call for different response and resolution strategies. Depending on the nature of the conduct reported, outcomes up to and including immediate dismissal from an event or technology platform, loss of membership benefits, and/or membership dismissal may be employed when appropriate.  

 

*  Examples of incidents of harassment and discrimination include, but are not limited to: 

  • Using hate symbols or hate speech 
  • Using derogatory terms or derogatory language, including but not limited to racial, homophobic, or transphobic slurs 
  • Making comments that are insensitive or demonstrative that the offender holds a prejudicial bias 
  • Pejorative comments or stereotypes about a protected class of people, i.e., women, religious minorities, racial minority groups, or people with disabilities 
  • Making sexual comments, jokes, or gestures; displaying sexually inappropriate images 
  • Intentionally using incorrect pronouns, having knowledge of an individual’s chosen pronouns