Code of Conduct

Boardwave has some pretty ambitious goals, but they will only be achieved once we are able to connect all of Europe’s brilliant software leaders, so we can share our knowledge and experience with each other and have fun doing it.

Boardwave will be built, one new relationship at a time. The lack of PowerPoint allows us to focus on the most valuable outcomes of any event we run - meeting interesting people and engaging with fresh ideas.

Purpose

There are only a few rules that we believe our members - who we also like to call ‘Boardwavers’ - need to adhere to in order to make our events collaborative, happy and safe, and members trusting of one another. These are set out below and apply equally to our sponsors. Please comply with them and try to understand the reasons why they are in place.

Scope

Our rules apply across all channels where our members interact or reference Boardwave, including WhatsApp, email, online or in-person events and meetings, and social media.

Activity

While there will be plenty of activities provided and facilitated by Boardwave, the proactive participation of members and the introduction of new members to the community are the vital ingredients that will make the network most valuable to everyone.

Confidentiality

Boardwave embraces a culture of open communication and trust. As such, discussions and debates, and the sharing of experiences and insights, will always be conducted in an informal and professional manner and take place in an atmosphere of acknowledged confidentiality, so disclosing what is discussed, whether verbally, in writing or in social media posts, should be avoided. Remember to please treat all shared information as confidential unless clearly stated otherwise.

Courtesy and Respect

To qualify for inclusion as a member, every delegate has been personally invited by another member, and vetted by our Boardwave Committee. This process exists to ensure that everyone at Boardwave is pretty amazing in their own particular way. So please treat everyone equally, and with the respect and courtesy they deserve as individuals.

Inappropriate Behaviour

Boardwave is designed to be fun. Sometimes people experience “funoverload”. This can mean people behave badly - demeaning others and neglecting an individual’s courtesy and respect entitlement. We are totally intolerant of inconsiderate behaviour, be that rudeness, discrimination, sexual advancement or otherwise. If you are found to have upset or offended other members, you run the risk of being asked to leave and barred from future events.

Sales and Recruitment Free Zone

Boardwave is about making friends, networking and sharing ideas, experiences and information. Boardwavers may want to buy products and services from each other and that is a fabulous outcome. However, no one wants to be pinned down by an over-zealous seller who can't spot the lack of buying signals. Pressure selling is an ugly business so please don't bring it to Boardwave. Flagrant pleadings for funding are equally frowned upon, as is hiring and recruitment requests. Finally, subsequent spamming of members with 'opportunities' of any sort is likely to result in your removal from the community.

Honesty and Integrity

Boardwave aims to be completely straightforward in its dealings with members, and expects members to act similarly with Boardwave and amongst themselves. As with any relationship, honesty and integrity are the basis upon which it is built and maintained, and that’s no different at Boardwave. Please be truthful about your business and personal accomplishments so as not to misguide people. The fact that you have been selected for an invitation to become a member means you have no need to brag.

What Goes on Tour, Stays on Tour

We adhere to the Chatham House Rule which ensures people can speak as individuals, expressing views that may differ from the organisations they represent. Speakers are free to voice their own opinions, disentangled from their official duties, obligations, and affiliations. We request that members do not post content or photographs on social media that might be deemed defamatory to either the event or the people depicted, breach confidentiality or infringe any intellectual property rights.

We have set out our expectations around privacy in our Privacy Policy which is available on our website.

Communication platforms

We may use messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or our Connection Centre. To become a member of Boardwave, and our WhatsApp group(s), every delegate has been through a rigorous selection process. So please treat everyone with the respect and courtesy that you would respect in return. As all our members are time-poor individuals, we politely ask that you keep requests to a minimum, both to other members and the Boardwave team, as we all have a lot to juggle!

Specifically, we ask that you:

Treat members’ phone numbers, profiles and personal data respectfully
Keep messages concise and relevant
Avoid excessive messaging, forwarded content, memes, and unrelated media
Refrain from tagging or messaging members privately for sales, hiring, or solicitations
Respect time zones—avoid late-night messaging unless urgent
If debates become heated, we may pause or close discussion.

Our WhatsApp group(s) bring together female leaders in the software industry, and we welcome the addition of new members who can help to grow this community. If you would like to nominate a female leader, please contact katy@boardwave.org. We ask that nominees are already a part of the Boardwave community to ensure they meet the criteria for membership.

Breaches of this Code of Conduct

Depending on the severity and frequency, any breach of this Code of Conduct by a member, brought to the attention of the Boardwave Committee, will be considered reasonable cause to terminate the membership with immediate effect. If you have any concerns that a breach of conduct has occurred, please report it here.

Acceptance

Your participation in our group indicates your agreement to comply with this Code of Conduct. Your continued membership is contingent on adhering to our principles.