The Sports Creative Community (SCC) is built on mutual respect, collaboration, and professional growth. This Code of Conduct applies to all community spaces, including our Slack workspace, the Member Marketplace, and all in-person or virtual events.

1. The "Be Kind" Mantra
We maintain a professional, supportive, and respectful environment. This is our core principle. Kindness is non-negotiable. Whether discussing gear, sports, or music, maintain professional decorum and respect differing opinions.

2. Community Standards

• Zero Tolerance for Harassment: Harassment, hate speech, bullying, or exclusionary language is strictly prohibited.

• No Controversial Debates: Keep "watercooler" spaces lighthearted. Avoid heavy political or religious topics that can divide the community.

• Pure Positivity: In designated spaces, focus exclusively on lifting others up. We are a zero-negativity zone.

• No Ego: Embrace learning opportunities. If someone offers a better way to solve a creative problem, value the insight over your own "method."

3. Professional Integrity & Transparency

• Salary Transparency: To ensure fair market standards, all job posts or freelance requests should include a salary range or hourly rate. Respect financial privacy while advocating for everyone to be paid what they are worth.

• Collaboration over Competition: SCC is a space for freelancers and founders to help one another scale, not to undercut one another's businesses.

• Credit the Team: Always acknowledge collaborators, agencies, and peers involved in the projects you share.

• No Piracy: Requesting or sharing "cracks," illegal software, or unauthorized assets is strictly prohibited.

4. Privacy & "Vegas Rules"
SCC is a safe space for professionals to discuss burnout, strategy, and industry struggles.

• Absolute Confidentiality: Treat stories shared in sensitive channels with the utmost empathy.

• Vegas Rules: No screenshots and no sharing of community stories or a peer's sensitive internal strategies outside of this Slack.

• Listen First: Respect that sometimes a member just needs to be heard, not "fixed."

5. Non-Solicitation & Anti-Spam

• No Hard Selling: This is a space for building relationships, not cold-pitching products or services.

• No Self-Promotion: In designated "High-Five" or "Support" channels, focus on highlighting the greatness of others rather than yourself.

• Follow-for-Follow: Focus on sharing strategy and trends rather than using the community for personal social growth.

6. The Three-Strike Enforcement Policy
To protect the integrity of the community, we utilize a tiered enforcement system for violations of these guidelines:

• Strike 1 (Warning): A volunteer or board member will thread your post or send a DM if you violate a specific guideline. This is a formal reminder of our standards.

• Strike 2 (Mute): Repeated violations or disrespectful behavior will result in a 30-day "read-only" status. You will be unable to post or message during this time.

• Strike 3 (Removal): Harassment, hate speech, unethical business practices, or continued violation of rules after a mute will result in a permanent ban from the Slack and all SCC events without a refund of membership dues.

7. Age & Event Requirements

• General Membership: Members must be 18+ to join.

• In-Person Events: Members must be 21+ to attend SCC events where alcohol may be served or venue-specific restrictions apply.

8. Reporting a Violation
If you witness or are subject to behavior that violates this code, please report it immediately through one of the following channels:

• Email: sportscreativecommunity@gmail.com

• Website: Use the Contact Page or the website chat bot.

By being a member of SCC, you commit to upholding these standards to keep our community the best place for sports creatives to thrive.