Writing Your User Group's Code of Conduct

Being a Microsoft Fabric Community User Group leader means helping create a space where everyone feels welcome, respected, and safe to learn and share. To support this, all user groups are required to publish their own Code of Conduct that clearly sets expectations for behavior within their group.

A Code of Conduct helps:

• Set clear expectations for how members interact
• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment
• Provide guidance if issues arise
• Build trust and consistency across the community

Your group's Code of Conduct should be easy to find (for example, on your Meetup page or community site) and referenced during events or in group communications.

Our Community Standard

All Microsoft Azure Data & Fabric user groups are expected to align with the Azure Data or Fabric User Groups code of conduct, which outlines shared community values such as being respectful, inclusive, thoughtful, and welcoming. Leaders and members are expected to uphold these standards across in-person and online interactions.

Each individual user group must also publish its own Code of Conduct, tailored to the group, while reinforcing these same core principles.

What Should a User Group Code of Conduct Include?

Most effective Codes of Conduct include:

1. A Purpose Statement

A short explanation of why the Code of Conduct exists and the kind of community you aim to create.

Example themes commonly used by established communities:

• Welcoming and inclusive environment
• Respect for diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Professional, harassment-free interactions

2. Expected Behavior

Clear examples of positive behaviors you want to encourage, such as:

• Being respectful and inclusive
• Using welcoming language
• Listening with purpose
• Offering constructive feedback
• Assuming good intent

3. Unacceptable Behavior

Most Codes of Conduct clearly state behaviors that are not acceptable, including:

• Harassment or discrimination
• Offensive or demeaning language
• Disruptive or inflammatory behavior
• Sharing personal information without consent

4. Scope

Your Code of Conduct should explain where it applies, for example:

• In-person events
• Virtual meetings
• Community forums or chat spaces
• Event-related communications

5. Reporting and Enforcement

Every Code of Conduct should include:

• How members can report concerns
• Who receives those reports
• Assurance that reports will be handled respectfully and confidentially

Here is an example code of conduct that you could use:

Our user group is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone.

All participants (members, speakers, and organizers) are expected to:

• Be respectful, kind, and professional
• Use welcoming and inclusive language
• Listen with purpose and engage constructively
• Assume good intent and respect differing viewpoints

The following behavior is not tolerated:

• Harassment, discrimination, or intimidation
• Offensive, demeaning, or inflammatory language
• Disruptive behavior that negatively impacts the community
• Sharing personal or private information without consent

This Code of Conduct applies to all group activities, including in-person events, virtual meetings, and online discussions.

If you experience or witness behavior that violates this Code of Conduct, please report it to the event organizers so we can address it promptly and respectfully.