More than a single Person

The Explorers Guild is more than a single person, we are a community that has evolved since 2015. For the first several years it was under the leadership of Dr. Professor, but in 2022 new structures started to get placed to make sure the organization has longevity and accountability.

In 2023, an Explorers Guild Council was formed to help put on events and to research how best to officially structure the group into an official organization. In December 2023, the Explorers Guild filed documents identifying the group as a recognized 501(c)7, and elected its first board of directors. This re-organization process allowed for a focused look into how we wanted to set up the group so that it could also last beyond the singular ability of any one person, giving decision making powers to those most interested in steering it. It also gave the opportunity to establish a code of conduct, which had been in the work for years but with a deadline finally got published; which gave attendees a document for accountability.

Below you’ll find our Code of Conduct, which includes contact information in case you feel as though you’ve experienced an issue. Although we’re a member organization, all attendees are expected to follow our Code of Conduct, to help ensure a safe and fun environment.

Code of Conduct

Our Values

At the core of the Explorers Guild there is a love of bringing people together through shared stories. We value creativity, curiosity, and community. Our goal is to be a fun and welcoming community of members who can explore the world together, so we have a formalized code of conduct that sets these expectations. This code of conduct applies to all Explorers Guild events, attendees, members, materials, and spaces, including virtual and online forums. 

The Explorers Guild includes people of any age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, race, or religion, hereafter referred to as “attributes”.

We do not tolerate harassment in any form.

Explorers are expected to proactively consider our words, images, monikers, costumes, stories, and celebrations to be sure we don’t malign, denigrate, stereotype, or exclude people based on their attributes. Explorers Guild members & attendees are also expected to be responsive to the needs and concerns of people within the group by using active listening and being open to feedback.

Explorers are also expected to be considerate in what and how they share their personal stories. Sensitive topics such as mental health, suicidal ideation, or discussions of weapons or violence can be alarming for many Explorers and inappropriate for a mixed-age group. The Guild welcomes people as they are and many Explorers find a sense of belonging at Guild events. At the same time, the Explorers Guild is not a replacement for therapy. Please check with the person you’re speaking to if you want to share potentially troubling information with them.

Some Explorations happen at events (such as San Francisco's Lunar New Year Parade) or locations (such as Hawai’i) with an established culture and community of which Explorers may not be members. At events like these Explorers should refrain from conjecturing about or making new meanings for the customs, language, and stories already existing at the event and instead be led by curiosity and awe.

We expect Explorers to have questions and concerns about how our group, and individuals within our group, can act to be more inclusive, respectful, and safe for all Explorers. We welcome these conversations. If you have suggestions or are not sure if something is a code of conduct violation, please reach out to the CoC committee via any of the forms of contact provided in this document. We want to do our best to reduce harm and increase inclusiveness in this community.

The Explorers Guild takes the safety and wellness of all its members seriously. Reports of member misconduct will be taken seriously regardless of the person’s identity or social status inside or outside the Explorer’s Guild community.  We do not consider complaints of “reverse racism” or “reverse sexism” to be valid.

Unacceptable behaviors and actions within the Explorers Guild include:

  • Racist, sexist, or transphobic jokes

  • The use of sexualized language or imagery and sexual attention or advances

  • Deliberate or persistent misgendering

  • Offensive comments related to age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, race, or religion

  • Support for hate and extremist groups, including but not limited to fascist, neo-nazi, white supremacist, white nationalist, or political conspiracy theory groups/movements

  • Personal insults, threats, or attacks, including verbal, physical, or otherwise

  • Harassment of any kind, even in a joking or ironic manner

  • Sustained disruption of event or discussion

  • Continued one-on-one communication after being asked to cease

  • Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting

Attendees or members who violate the Code of Conduct may be restricted from attending Explorers Guild events, and removed from online communication spaces (e.g. Slack). Members may also have their membership status revoked without a refund.

How to Report

Any member can make a report to the CoC committee via the forms of contact provided in this document. The CoC team will acknowledge the report ASAP, investigate the situation, work quickly to determine an appropriate response, and keep the person making the report informed of any actions the CoC team takes to address the situation.

If you are proactively concerned about someone participating in the Guild based on previous harm they have done, the Code of Conduct Committee wants to hear that report as well.

General Questions: explorersguildhq@gmail.com

Concerns/Reports: Cole Rose, Secretary or Ellen Juhlin, Board Member