RTC’s Code of Conduct

Group of women outside smiling with an RTC sign

You agree to abide by our Code of Conduct by participating in the Rewriting the Code community.

Rewriting the Code’s (RTC) mission is rooted in advancing women in technology. We are an open and inclusive community for all individuals pursuing technology careers, from university through six years in industry. Membership is open to everyone within this scope, and all members are expected to respect our mission and the community’s safety.
By joining the Rewriting the Code community, you agree to uphold this Code of Conduct.

Your pledge as an RTC member

As a member, I pledge to make participation in our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, physicality, visible or invisible disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status, nationality, personal appearance, race, caste, color, religion, political affiliation, or sexual identity and orientation. I will act with respect, integrity, and inclusivity, contributing to an open, welcoming, and supportive environment.  I commit to upholding RTC’s Core Community Standards and the Community and Professional Engagement Guidelines.

Core community standards

These are the non-negotiable standards that protect our community and uphold RTC’s mission.

  • Mission-Driven: Disrupting or acting against the RTC mission is strictly prohibited.
  • Respectful Interactions: Bullying, harassment, threatening, or degrading comments of any kind will not be tolerated.
  • Privacy: Respect confidentiality. Treat all information shared by others in the RTC community, whether in Slack, events, or other spaces, as private. Do not share or repost another member’s words, experiences, or personal information outside of RTC without their explicit permission.
  • Data Integrity: By participating in RTC programs, surveys, research initiatives, and community activities, members agree to:
    • Provide information that is truthful and accurate to the best of their knowledge.
    • Represent their identities, education, professional experiences, and all other personal data honestly.
    • Acknowledge that falsifying information (intentionally misrepresenting yourself or others) violates the trust and integrity of our community. RTC relies on honest data to build programs, partnerships, and opportunities that reflect our community’s authentic needs.

Examples of Behaviors Aligned with Our Core Standards

  • Supporting RTC’s Mission: Contributing ideas, resources, or encouragement that help fellow members learn, grow, and thrive in their careers.
  • Respectful Engagement: Sharing opinions thoughtfully, listening to different perspectives, and disagreeing without personal attacks.
  • Uplifting Others: Celebrating achievements, offering constructive feedback, and giving credit where it’s due.
  • Protecting Privacy: Keeping personal and professional details private, and asking before sharing another member’s story or information.
  • Honest Participation: Completing surveys, applications, and profiles with accurate information about your education, experience, and interests.
  • Professional Communication: Using clear, courteous, and inclusive language in all interactions, whether in public forums, private messages, or RTC events.

Community guidelines

Alongside RTC’s Core Community Standards, we uphold the following guidelines to ensure that all content remains relevant and aligned with RTC’s mission.

  • Respect and Courtesy: Treat everyone with respect. Healthy debate is welcome, but respectful dialogue is required.
  • Promotions and Spam: Content must support RTC’s mission. Spam, links, or irrelevant promotions are prohibited.
  • Direct Solicitation: Members and mentors may not solicit for or promote paid services, products, or events. 
  • Promotions, Spam, and Solicitation: Content shared in the RTC community must support our mission and provide clear value to members. Spam, sales pitches, fundraising requests, or links promoting unrelated products, services, or events are not permitted. Additionally, Members and mentors may not solicit for or promote paid services, products, or events.
    • Examples of what’s allowed:
      • Sharing job or internship opportunities in appropriate channels
      • Posting articles, tools, or resources that help women thrive in tech
      • Highlighting free events, workshops, or learning opportunities related to tech and professional development
    • Examples of what’s not allowed:
      • Promoting your own paid coaching, consulting, or tutoring services
      • Advertising unrelated products or services
      • Posting fundraising campaigns, GoFundMe links, or commercial events
  • Resource Sharing: We collaborate with numerous companies and volunteers who are committed to supporting our community. Any opportunity, event, or resource shared within this group must not be shared outside of RTC’s community.
  • Sharing of Interview Questions: This space is not for sharing specific interview questions, but rather for exchanging experiences and offering advice and support.
  • Referrals: Do not use this group to ask for referrals. A referral should come from someone you know who can vouch for you. If you are interested in learning about a company, feel free to ask the community to share their experiences and take the conversation offline.

Professional engagement guidelines

Event Attendance: When you RSVP for an in-person or virtual event, you are committing to attend. No-shows reflect poorly on you and on the RTC community as a whole.

Honoring Offers: At RTC, we value integrity and professionalism in the recruiting process. We expect both members and employers to honor commitments made during the recruiting process.

We recognize that unforeseen circumstances may arise. If you must reconsider an accepted offer, communicate with the employer professionally and transparently as soon as possible. Learn more about offers and professional best practices here.

Mentors: RTC mentors generously volunteer their time to support your growth. To honor their commitment:

  • Attending scheduled meetings is essential. Missing a session without notice is never acceptable.
  • Members who miss a session without prior communication will receive one warning; a second offense will result in the loss of mentoring privileges.
  • If you must cancel, provide at least 24 hours’ notice.
  • Respond to mentor communications within 48 business hours, and mentors are asked to do the same.

Enforcement & reporting misconduct

Enforcement is a key part of keeping RTC the welcoming, safe, and supportive space it has always been. Our standards and guidelines are designed to protect members and ensure that every interaction reflects the respect, inclusivity, and integrity that define our community. By holding one another accountable, we preserve the trust and sense of belonging that make RTC thrive.

  • Immediate Removal for Core Community Standards Breaches
    Violations, including harassment, discrimination, hate speech, threats, or deliberate actions that undermine RTC’s mission and/or data integrity, will result in immediate and permanent removal.
  • Warnings for Other Breaches
    For other infractions (e.g., community guideline breaches, no-shows, unresponsiveness, or other unprofessional conduct), members will receive a warning. Continued violations could result in removal from specific services, the community platform, or RTC membership.
  • Right to Revoke Membership
  • RTC reserves the right to revoke membership at any time for conduct that violates this Code or jeopardizes the community’s safety and integrity.

If you witness or experience a violation:

RTC staff regularly monitor our Slack channels for breaches of the Code of Conduct and can be contacted at any time to address minor infractions. Members who observe conduct (virtually or in person) that warrants immediate removal from the community should report the violation using the RTC Code of Conduct Violation Form.

  • Reports will be handled promptly, with discretion and care.
  • RTC will make all reasonable efforts to protect the privacy of those who report or are involved to the fullest extent possible. Information will only be shared as needed to investigate, take action, or comply with the law.
  • Retaliation against anyone who makes a report in good faith will not be tolerated.

Legal & compliance note

This Code of Conduct is not a contract and does not give members any contractual right to membership, nor to the benefits described therein.  This Code of Conduct and the Core Standards may be revised by RTC at any time and for any reason.

RTC is committed to full compliance with U.S. law, including federal civil rights laws. Membership, participation, and opportunities in RTC are not restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. To become a member of RTC, you must first sign up at https://rewritingthecode.org/join-us.

All members are welcome as long as they are within our targeted student or career demographic, uphold our mission, and adhere to this Code of Conduct.

Guidelines on letters of recommendation or endorsement

Rewriting the Code is committed to supporting our members in all their professional and personal endeavours in tech. RTC can provide letters of recommendation to members who meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have been active members for at least 6 months.
  • Have demonstrated significant engagement through leadership, volunteering, or mentoring.
  • Are seeking support with graduate school, scholarships, or references for job/internship opportunities.

RTC cannot provide letters of recommendation, supporting documentation, or endorsements for visa or work authorization applications.