Consent & Emotional Support

SOC Consent Violation and Incident Process

Terms and Definitions

  • Consent: An informed, voluntary agreement by two or more people to engage in a particular activity. An agreement to enter into a relationship may also constitute consent to specified activities unless that consent is withdrawn at the time of engaging in such activity. (Source: NCSF)

  • Consent Incident: An event or occurrence, involving consent, where something has gone wrong. There is no initial assumption of guilt or fault, just as there is no initial assumption of victim or perpetrator. It is an event that happened which needs consideration, review, and outside support. A useful term to use as a third party observer, or when the people involved are still processing the event. (Source: Consent Academy)

  • Consent Violation: An experience where someone believes their consent was broken, a set boundary was crossed, or harm was caused during the consent incident. Only the person who experienced harm within the event gets to decide if their consent was violated. (Source: Consent Academy)

  • Accountability: How we own our responsibilities (the duties we have in response to our positions, actions, and roles in the world), especially those related to harm. (Source: Consent Academy)

For All Event Attendees

The Service Oriented Conference is committed to upholding its event rules for the duration of all Service Inspirations events, including maintaining a respectful and consensual environment for all. Any consent incidents, consent violations, or concerning behavior or conduct that are brought to our attention through the Consent and Emotional Support form are our responsibility to address and support.

Service Inspirations and the Service Oriented Conference do not hold responsibility for consent incidents, consent violations, or concerning behavior or conduct that occur outside of the conference and other Service Inspirations events. We acknowledge, however, that presenters, volunteers, staff, and attendees alike hold varying degrees of influence at our events. We aim to be mindful that their contributions and behavior align with our conference values to the extent we can.

We understand that consent conversations can be complex, and that accountability and growth matter. We will not arbitrate what behavior or conduct warrants community censure or expulsion. When we consider whether a person is a good fit for attending, presenting, or working/volunteering for Service Inspirations events, we can and will consider the context and experience of any concerning behavior or conduct brought to us, including consent incidents and violations, the context and nature of Service Inspiration events, and any other relevant information.

Should information be brought to us about a consent incident, consent violation, and/or other concerning behavior or conduct of an attendee, presenter, volunteer, or staff that occurred during a Service Inspirations event, we will:

  • Encourage the individual who came to us to fill out a Consent and Emotional Support form.
  • Have a conversation with the individual who came to us about what occurred and what they would like done as a result of the incident.
  • Offer emotional support to those harmed or impacted by the incident.
  • Engage in a conversation with the person(s) involved in the concerning behavior or conduct and learn more about their experience of the situation. Ensure that they understand the harm or impact of their behavior or conduct, and how it may affect their involvement with future Service Inspirations events.
  • Where supportive to transparency, share a general summary of the incident and SOC’s next steps through our website and social media page.
  • Review all Consent and Emotional Support forms we receive to learn how to better improve this process for future Service Inspirations events.

Should information be brought to us about a consent incident, consent violation, and/or other concerning behavior or conduct by an existing or potential attendee, presenter, volunteer, or staff that has not occurred at a Service Inspirations event, we may:

  • Have a conversation with the individual who came to us about what occurred and ask for direct, preferably first-hand information about the concerning behavior or conduct.
  • Reach out to the person(s) involved in the concerning behavior or conduct and learn more about their experience of the situation, the context, and their commitment to accountability and community care.
  • Reach out to the organizations where the concerning behavior or conduct took place to learn more about their context and stance.
  • Reach out to any directly harmed or affected parties to open a line of dialogue about experience that they are welcome to decline or accept.
  • Consider whether the person(s) who engaged in the concerning behavior or conduct may be allowed to attend, present, or work/volunteer for the Service Oriented Conference or other Service Inspirations events as a result of the information shared with us and the conversations held.
  • Where supportive to transparency, share a general summary of the incident and SOC’s next steps to the person(s) who approached us initially.

For Presenters, Panelists, and Keynote Speakers

Upon application or request to present at the Service Oriented Conference, we ask that you disclose any past consent violations or concerns raised from your actions or conduct. Disclosure does not automatically disqualify you from presenting at the Service Oriented Conference.

Consent violations that have occurred in your capacity as a presenter, organizer, or as part of significant relationships in your communities may be a factor in our acceptance of your application and/or as part of hosting your education for the Service Oriented Conference and other Service Inspirations events.

We understand that consent conversations can be complex, and that accountability and growth matter. If something is shared by you or otherwise brought to our attention, we may reach out to have a direct conversation to better understand the context and your commitment to accountability and community care. Honesty and transparency will be considered as part of a fair review process.

Any specific details shared with SOC staff will not be shared elsewhere unless agreed to by all whom we have spoken with. Where supportive to transparency, general information that is relevant to SOC’s decision-making and stance may be shared either publicly on SOC’s website and social media sites, privately to individuals who come to us with concerns, or privately to organizations who reach out with vetting-related questions.