ChickTech: Inclusion

An inclusive organization is the best kind! Below you’ll find ChickTech’s Code of Conduct and Our Commitment to Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity.

As we work to create a global movement that includes all people, diversity and inclusivity are extremely important to us. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, and program participants.

Seattle 2016 High School Kickoff. Photo by Wojtek Rajski.

Austin 2016 High School Kick Off. Photo by Aaron Leist Photography.

Portland 2015 High School Kickoff. Photo by Wojtek Rajski.

Austin 2016 High School Kickoff. Photo by J. Alan Love Photography.

Austin 2016 High School Kickoff. Photo by Aaron Leist Photography.

We believe that the more diverse our community is, the more we can positively impact girls’ and women’s lives and gain gender equality in tech…and that means we need you! It’s critical to us that all people feel welcome, and we hope you’ll consider joining our community. If at any time you feel that improvements can be made, please don’t hesitate to contact us: [email protected]

Inclusion

We welcome people of all genders to our events and as volunteers. Any child who identifies as a girl is welcome to participate, and we also welcome trans youth of any gender, gender fluid youth, and non-binary youth.

Diversity

We believe that having a community with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates a vibrant environment where individuals can learn, grow, and thrive.

Empowerment

We build community and empower participants to see themselves as leaders, and provide networking and mentoring opportunities in the rapidly growing high tech industry.

Equality

We envision a safe, inclusive, and innovative technology future that provides STEM education for all and leads to equal pay, participation, and treatment of women in the workforce.

ChickTech Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for participant, volunteer, and staff behavior as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior. At ChickTech programs, venues, public space, or online platforms may be shared with members of the public. It is unacceptable for ChickTech volunteers to be disrespectful towards any other members of the public or each other. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.

If you are subject to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subject to unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify an organizer or leader as soon as possible.

Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.

Download a copy of our Code of Conduct here.

Volunteering and Employment Opportunities

ChickTech provides equal volunteer and employment opportunities to all employees, volunteers, and applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related) or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to hiring, placement, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Adult-Focused and General Community Events

Although ChickTech focuses on the needs of those who identify as women/girls for these events and our goal is to empower women and girls, we welcome people of all genders to our events and as volunteers. Any person, regardless of gender, may be asked to not participate and/or leave if they are being disruptive or creating an unwelcome environment for others.

K-12 Events

At ChickTech K-12 programs, any child who identifies as a girl is welcome to participate. We also welcome trans youth of any gender, gender fluid youth, and non-binary youth. At partner events, this policy may vary. The aforementioned populations will always be welcome, but, for example, a library may ask that all children be allowed to participate.

The benefit of an all-girl experience is supported by a significant body of research. See the below excerpts from other well-established girl-oriented organizations regarding this topic.

As stated by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

An organization whose sole purpose is to meet the unique needs of girls is not discriminatory. In conferring a Congressional Charter upon Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. in 1950, the Congress of the United States explicitly stated that the youth membership was for girls. When the Congress enacted Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to prohibit Federal financial assistance to educational organizations which discriminate on the basis of sex, it expressly recognized an exception for the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts and other voluntary youth organizations, ‘membership of which has traditionally been limited to persons of one sex and principally to persons of less than nineteen years of age.

Girls Inc.

The philosophy of Girls Inc. programming directs that our approach be compensatory for girls as well as intentional. As put forth in the statement of philosophy, we live in an inequitable society in which gender discrimination and numerous social, legal and cultural barriers limit girls’ opportunities and potential… Thus, Girls Inc. programming is designed to compensate for both the overt (obvious) and covert (hidden) gender discrimination girls and women encounter, enabling girls to overcome barriers to reaching their full potential.

Portland 2014 High School Kickoff. Photo by Wojtek Rajski.