Code of Conduct

As a member of SCVBG, we expect you to:

• Be Respectful: Treat all members with courtesy and respect, even in disagreement. Personal attacks, insults, or derogatory comments are not acceptable.
• Be Professional: Maintain professional communication in all interactions. Remember that this is a business networking community.
• Be Supportive: Offer constructive feedback and encouragement. We're here to help each other succeed.
• Be Honest: Represent yourself, your business, and your credentials accurately. Misleading information undermines trust in our community.
• Be Inclusive: Welcome members from all backgrounds, branches of service, and business industries. Diversity strengthens our community.
• Give Credit: Acknowledge others' contributions and respect intellectual property. Don't take credit for someone else's work or ideas.

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited:

• Harassment: Harassment of any kind, including unwanted attention, stalking, or intimidation, will not be tolerated.
• Discrimination: Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic is prohibited.
• Hate Speech: Content that promotes hatred or violence against individuals or groups is not allowed.
• Spam and Self-Promotion: Excessive self-promotion, spam, or unsolicited commercial messages are prohibited. Share relevant business information appropriately.
• False Information: Posting false, misleading, or fraudulent information, including fake credentials or business claims.
• Privacy Violations: Sharing others' private information without consent (doxxing) is strictly forbidden.
• Illegal Activity: Discussion or promotion of illegal activities is not allowed.

Forum Discussions: Keep discussions on-topic and constructive. Use appropriate categories for your posts and search before posting duplicate questions.

Direct Messages: Respect others' time and privacy in direct messages. Don't send unsolicited sales pitches or spam.

Event Conduct: At in-person and virtual events, maintain professionalism and respect for all attendees. Follow event-specific guidelines.

Business Promotion: Share your business and services appropriately. The community is for networking, not aggressive sales tactics.

For Mentors: Provide honest, constructive guidance. Respect confidentiality and maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Don't take advantage of your mentee's trust.

For Mentees: Be respectful of your mentor's time. Come prepared to meetings, follow through on commitments, and show appreciation for their guidance.

All content shared on the platform should be:

• Relevant to veteran business owners and entrepreneurship
• Respectful and professional in tone
• Accurate and not misleading
• Free from excessive profanity or offensive language
• Appropriate for a professional business environment
• Compliant with copyright and intellectual property laws

If you witness or experience behavior that violates this Code of Conduct:

• Use the "Report" feature available on posts and profiles
• Contact our moderation team at conduct@scvbg.org
• For urgent safety concerns, contact us immediately

All reports are reviewed promptly and kept confidential. We take all violations seriously and will take appropriate action.

Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in:

• Warning: A formal warning for first-time or minor violations
• Temporary Suspension: Temporary loss of platform access
• Permanent Ban: Permanent removal from the platform for serious or repeated violations
• Legal Action: In cases of illegal activity or serious harm

We reserve the right to determine the appropriate response based on the severity and context of each violation.

If you believe you've been unfairly penalized, you may appeal by contacting us at appeals@scvbg.org within 14 days of the action. Include relevant context and information to support your appeal.

We may update this Code of Conduct as our community grows and evolves. Significant changes will be communicated to members via email or platform notification.