ASFS Member Code of Conduct

Published on the 10 December 2024

The African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) exists to promote and support the community of African speculative fiction writers, editors, comic and graphic artists, and filmmakers.  

We are committed to providing and promoting a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all our members. In return, we expect our members to be respectful to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, religious belief, nationality, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity, or physical appearance.

We wish all members to feel valued and appreciated, and welcome the diversity of views, expertise, opinions, backgrounds, and experiences reflected among all our members. Everyone has a role to play in creating an inclusive culture at the ASFS.

This Code of Conduct is for the safety and wellbeing of our members, the ASFS brand, and the rights of any writers worldwide. 

Guidelines for appropriate behaviour

• Be considerate and respectful in your speech and actions.

• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour or speech

• Represent the ASFS community in a positive, professional way

• Maintain the confidentiality of any information disclosed to you by the ASFS under an obligation of confidence, or in circumstances where confidentiality was reasonably implied.

• Do not purport to represent the ASFS, when making public comment about your personal views (including political views)

• Respect other members of the ASFS and do not use their details for spam, marketing or any other commercial purpose

• Do not market any goods or services in any way that may imply that those goods or services were endorsed by the ASFS

• Behave with fairness and courtesy towards ASFS members and volunteers and do not engage in any behaviour that is violent, threatening or abusive

• Do not use the ASFS logo in a way likely to damage or dishonour the ASFS; in association with any content which is plagiarised, unlawful, defamatory, pornographic, offensive, discriminatory or abusive; which incites violence or hatred; or which infringes someone else’s rights including copyright

• Prioritize collaboration over conflict; and demonstrate a willingness to find common ground before resorting to disagreement

• Attempt to respond gracefully to constructive criticism

• Respect the legal and intellectual rights of all writers

Unacceptable Behaviour

Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated - whether by members, guests, speakers, or sponsors:

• Violence or threats: Acts or threats of violence, including aggressive or violent language directed at another person.

• Intimidation or harassment: Deliberate acts of intimidation, stalking, or persistent unwanted contact (online or offline).

• Discriminatory language or jokes: Use of sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory remarks or humour.

• Malicious Content: Posting, sharing, or displaying content with the intent to cause harm, including intimate images; threatening communications such as online abuse, cyberbullying or online harassment; or content which promotes or glorifies suicide or self-harm.

• Personal insults: Insults targeting another’s gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or disability.

• Invasive actions: Inappropriate photography, recording, or behavior violating someone’s personal boundaries.

• Inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention: Includes sexualized comments, jokes, inappropriate touching, groping, or advances without consent.

• Plagiarism or copyright violations: Using copyrighted material without proper licenses or attributions. Always respect intellectual property laws and ensure proper credit is given.

• Event disruptions: Interruptions of talks, presentations, or community activities

• Advocating harmful behaviour: Encouraging or promoting any of the behaviours listed above.

Reporting and Follow-up

If you feel that you are being discriminated against or harassed, or if you see someone else behaving inappropriately, please let us know. To report a violation of this code of conduct, contact us at info@africansfs.org

If a member engages or has engaged in unacceptable behaviour, the ASFS may take any action it deems appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from an activity or the organization without warning. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.  Members who feel they have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct should notify info@africansfs.com with a concise description of their grievance.

A review committee comprised of at least five members of the ASFS Steering Committee will be nominated, as needed, to review complaints and grievances. Its decision will be final.

All ASFS members are bound by this Code of Conduct. Accepting or seeking membership of the ASFS is considered an automatic consent to the Code of Conduct.