In May I published a proposal to update the WordPress Events venue policy. The resulting discussion raised both opportunities and concerns from community members. Based on the feedback received, we will update our venue policy as follows:
Prior language
From WordCamp Organizer Handbook and Meetup Organizer Handbook:
You should also avoid venues with religious or political affiliations. Since one of our jobs as community organizers is to create a 100% welcoming space for everyone, we avoid holding events in venues where someone might feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.
New language
You should avoid:
- Venues with political affiliations
- Venues used for religious worship (such as a church, mosque, or synagogue)
- Venues with religious iconography
- Venues that engage in any form of proselytizing to organizers or attendees.
Venues must align with the WordPress Community Code of Conduct Pledge¹ and maintain a policy of openness to hosting events for all, without discrimination.
As part of the planning process, WordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. and Innovative WordPress Event (NextGen event) organizers are required to send the venue agreement to WordPress Community Support WordPress Community Support PBC is a Public Benefit Corporation, created specifically to be the financial and legal support for WordCamps, WordPress Meetup groups, and any additional “official” events organized within the WordPress Community Events program. for review and signature. During this step, the Community Team vets the venue to ensure it aligns with our venue policy. If we have any questions, concerns, or hesitation about a proposed venue, we check in with the organizers. Events are publicly announced only after WordPress Community Support reviews and signs the venue agreement.
¹ WordPress Community Code of Conduct “A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the norms, rules, and responsibilities or proper practices of an individual party.” - Wikipedia Pledge:
We as members, contributors, and leaders pledge to make participation in our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body size, visible or invisible disability, ethnicity, sex characteristics, gender identity and expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status, nationality, personal appearance, race, caste, color, religion, or sexual identity and orientation.
We pledge to act and interact in ways that contribute to an open, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and healthy community.
