Code of Conduct and Community Participation

01Purpose and scope

Tellus Cooperative Foundation (hereinafter “Tellus”) seeks to foster open, safe and respectful communities for learning, collaboration and technological development. This Code sets minimum standards of behavior, reporting mechanisms and criteria for action.

It applies to participants, ambassadors, mentors, organizers, suppliers, contractors and people with coordination roles when they take part in activities, events, programs, digital spaces or channels managed by Tellus, or when they publicly present themselves as its representatives. Conduct outside these spaces may also be considered when it is directly linked to the safety of these spaces or to an official representation, following a reasoned assessment. It does not govern private life or personal opinions unrelated to Tellus.

This Code applies to everyone, including those who lead and manage the programs. Contractual, legal or program-specific obligations may apply in addition.

02Expected conduct

• Treat everyone with dignity and respect, without discrimination based on nationality, origin, gender, identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, opinions or other personal circumstances.
• Welcome newcomers with patience; value basic questions and differences in experience or knowledge.
• Discuss ideas honestly and professionally. Disagreement, well-founded criticism and good-faith complaints are legitimate, even when they question Tellus decisions.
• Respect personal and professional boundaries, response times and reasonable requests to stop contacting someone.
• Fulfill the commitments you expressly accept, or give timely notice when you cannot fulfill them.
• Use responsibly the physical spaces, accounts, materials, data, equipment and other resources you gain access to by taking part in a Tellus activity.

03Prohibited conduct

• Harassment, threats, intimidation, violence, unwanted sexual attention, in-person or online bullying, retaliation or discrimination.
• Targeted insults, repeated personal attacks, malicious spreading of false information, exposing personal data without authorization, or sharing sensitive material to humiliate or intimidate.
• Spam, impersonation, misleading messages, malicious links, scams, fraudulent fundraising or promises of financial returns.
• Repeated pressure on coordinators or participants after being asked to stop contact, including insisting through private channels to get around a decision.
• Using a community position to obtain undue benefits, unduly favor third parties, demand preferential treatment or make prizes and opportunities conditional.
• Unauthorized use of names, brands, official accounts, funds or resources of Tellus, Stellar Chile or third parties; or false claims of sponsorship, affiliation or authorization.
• Smoking or vaping inside the venue where a Tellus activity takes place.

04Integrity and conflicts of interest

Anyone involved in selection, assessment, resource allocation, hiring or awarding prizes must disclose in a timely manner any personal, professional or financial ties that could affect —or appear to affect— their impartiality. A tie does not necessarily mean a prohibition; Tellus will decide whether recusal, independent review or another safeguard is appropriate.

No one may single-handedly approve their own expenses, benefits for related people or payments in which they have a direct interest. Falsified supporting documents, unauthorized expenses and the use of community resources for personal purposes are not tolerated.

05Representation and public communication

Taking part in a community, receiving recognition or holding an ambassador role does not grant authority to sign contracts, manage funds, commit budgets, open official accounts, announce sponsorships, call official events or act as a spokesperson for Tellus or the Stellar Development Foundation.

Participants keep their freedom of expression and personal civic participation. In official spaces and communications, Tellus resources and identity will not be used to support parties, candidates or campaigns without an express and lawful institutional decision.

Educational activities must not be presented as individualized financial advice. Guarantees of profit, promotion of fraudulent schemes and using an official position to push speculative transactions are prohibited.

06Privacy, images and safety

Do not share third-party data, attendee lists, credentials, private screenshots, identifiable photographs or information about reports without an adequate basis and the corresponding authorizations. At events, attendees will be told whether photos or videos will be taken, how they will be used and how to request reasonable alternatives to not appear.

Those responsible for activities must apply the venue’s safety rules, manage foreseeable risks and follow emergency procedures. In case of immediate danger, the relevant emergency services must be contacted first.

07How to raise a concern or report

Reports about conduct covered by this Code must be sent through the confidential channel published on Tellus’s official page: #reportes. You are not required to confront the person concerned or attempt mediation first. The person reporting may state whether they fear retaliation or need protective measures.

Where possible, the report should include what happened, the approximate date, the place or channel, the people involved, witnesses and any available background. Exhaustive evidence is not required to report something in good faith.

Tellus will limit access to the report to those who need to know it to assess it or act, without promising absolute confidentiality when information must be shared for reasons of safety, defense, investigation or legal compliance. Retaliation against anyone who reports or takes part in good faith is prohibited.

08Assessment and measures

Tellus will apply a proportionate procedure that, where possible, includes recording the report, an initial risk assessment, review by people without conflicts of interest, a reasonable opportunity for the affected parties to provide information, and communication of a reasoned decision. Participation may be temporarily limited while a risk situation is investigated; this does not imply a conclusion in advance.

Measures may include guidance, a warning, removal of content, access restrictions, suspension or exclusion from a program or from certain spaces. In serious cases, an immediate protective measure may be taken without prior notice. Measures will take into account severity, context, repetition and risk.

A person directly affected by a disciplinary decision may request a written reconsideration within 10 business days of being notified, through the same reporting channel. The review should be carried out, as far as possible, by someone other than the person who made the original decision. The internal review does not limit any rights or actions available under the law.

09Effect and updates

This Code takes effect upon its official publication on the Tellus website. Substantive updates will be identified by version and date, and announced through official channels. New rules will not be used to retroactively sanction earlier conduct, without prejudice to current protective measures against ongoing risks.