Team:Comfort

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Comfort

Safe spaces, accessibility, conflict resolution

This team needs volunteers

We are the dedicated support team for accessibility, Code of Conduct matters, safe spaces, and conflict resolution.

We are organised in shifts on all three camp days from 10am until midnight. You can reach us by speaking to a member of staff (ask to be introduced to Team Comfort). Our shifts and contact numbers are also posted in the Info Tent, the security tent at the main gate, and at First Aid.

You can also contact us by emailing comfort@emfcamp.org.

The Team

Name	User	Role	Interests
Jane	User:Jane C	Team lead	accessibility, conflict resolution, safer spaces/inclusivity
martind	User:martind	Deputy	Mediation, conflict resolution
John	JHR	Henchperson
(dr)cable/walpole	drcable	???	Trans/Queer/Womane&NB safety.
nat	notnat	???	Accessibility and support for: Disabilities (esp. mental health), lgbtq, women/nb
Kira
(your name here)

Safer spaces

EMF is taking everyone's comfort and well-being seriously. We already know from our last event that our community is kind, curious, and considerate. However with every large social group there may be misunderstandings and disagreements, and we want to ensure that everyone can find the support they need to feel safe. This year we have a clear Code of Conduct (which we may refine as we learn more), and our team members are experienced and level-headed individuals who are always open for a chat.

We recognise that power imbalances exist in society - where possible, we support punching up rather than down.

Since this is the first time we have a Comfort team we're starting things slowly and not become too ambitious too quickly. We will have a physical space to deal with any issues that arrive in a safe and private manner–details of this are being confirmed.

As part of our activities we also want to be in close contact with a number of key teams who address related concerns -- First Aid, Infodesk, and others. Do approach us for a chat!

Accessibility

Jane is the team lead on accessibility (Hi!).

We want EMF to be safe and accessible for everyone and we welcome feedback on things that go wrong so we can do better next time around. If you said you had accessibility needs when buying a ticket, you should have received an email checking up on that. If you haven't, or you have any concerns, please email comfort@emfcamp.org

There will be a more accessible camping area designated. This will be closer to toilets/showers and parking. There are five step-free toilets (at all three toilet sites) and one step-free shower.

Parking spaces closest to the site will be reserved for folk with mobility issues and it will be possible to bring your car onto the site if you arrive Thursday evening. For anyone arriving on Friday or later, please email comfort@emfcamp.org and we will arrange someone to help unload and bring your gear onsite.

Issues identified as not possible this year, but desirable for next time:

closed-loop for stages
golf-cart taxis

Escalation procedure

Our escalation procedure is drawn from this document: http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Conference_anti-harassment/Responding_to_reports

The responses to reports will be handled on a case-by-case basis, but threats to physical well-being will result in calling in security and/or police and will be grounds for expulsion from the camp.

In short, when an incident is reported, we aim to:

respond quickly
focus on the behaviour not the person when talking to all parties
take a written report - either by asking the person reporting to write down what has happened or by transcribing their verbal report. This should include specific information about the person doing the harassing including who they are, what they did, when it happened, where it happened, surrounding circumstances and other people involved.
ask the person it happened to if it is okay if Team Comfort and the core orga team discuss the incident further.
if appropriate, have a meeting consisting of Team Comfort/core orga team to decide on an appropriate response to the incident
feedback to all people involved swiftly. This will include the following: a) what happened? b) what are we doing about it? c) who is doing this and when?
keep records of incidents, so as to be aware of repeat offenders (if an individual repeatedly breaches the Code of Conduct or refuses to accept being called on their behaviour penalties will escalate).
make a public response via twitter showing we do not condone harassing behaviours
Team Comfort are here to help. Please contact us if you feel upset or want to feedback regarding any incident or response to it.
post-event: discuss what worked and how our CoC/response to incidents can be improved.

It is likely that the Duty Officer will handle night-time incidents. Duty Officers are all from the core orga team.

Links

TODO: misc background reading (need to collect from our internal discussions)

Contact number: 01935 350 083

This is a UK number (Yeovil, IIRC) that will forward to whoever's on duty. If you try it before Friday you'll most likely end up talking to a somewhat startled JHR.