HEMA Alliance Code of Conduct

The HEMA Alliance (HEMAA) provides several services for the Historical European Martial Arts community. It is incorporated as an educational non-profit, in the United States of America. The HEMAA is neither a governing body nor an enforcement organization. 

In order to provide the best services possible, we are establishing this Code of Conduct. This Code applies to all those who use our services, members, affiliates, sponsored and supported events, as well as our sponsored vendors.

The Code of Conduct is our attempt to help build and preserve a community that is inclusive and welcoming. One that is open and free from harassment. A community where, if that environment is violated, there is a clear line of accountability with systems and remedies in place. 

Violation of the Code may result in consequences up to and including the cancelation of membership, access to sponsorship, support, and services, as well as a report to the appropriate authorities.

Our Commitment to this Code of Conduct 

If you feel that the General Council has not met the standards or obligations set by this Code of Conduct, you may contact the HEMAA Board of Directors.

This is an evolving document that is currently under review and will be updated periodically by the HEMAA General Council with input from the HEMAA Membership and the HEMAA Board of Directors.

Note: This Code of Conduct’s structure and conduct incorporates structure and concepts from various existing Codes of Conduct, Anti-Harassment Policies, Non-Harassment Policies, and Accessibility Policies. Including, but not limited to:  Existing HEMAA Bylaws, Guidelines, and Procedures; Valkyrie WMA; Kaja Sadowski’s Fear is the Mind Killer, The Icebreaker Tournament, Swordsquatch, Barnard Library, SLATE, U.S. Center for SafeSport, etc.

hEMAA IRS Letter

HEMAA Bylaws

Creating Trans, Nonbinary and intersex Inclusive spaces for HEMAA Organizers

Our Community & Expectations

• Those who use and/or contribute to our services, which include:

  • HEMAA Facebook Group

  • HEMAA Membership Checker

  • HEMAA Forums

  • HEMAA Calendars

  • HEMAA Resource Pages

• Active HEMAA Members

• Sponsored/Supported Events

• Sponsored Vendors

• Projects Sponsored/Supported by the HEMAA

Expectations

Everyone within the HEMAA community is entitled to respect and dignity within a supportive environment -- one free of racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, elitist, entitled, and unjust attitudes, comments, behaviors, and actions.

Non-Harassment Policy 

The HEMAA does not condone nor does it tolerate any form of harassment based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, genetic information, national origin, age, color, disability, religion, pregnancy, or any characteristic not listed that is protected by law. 

“Harassment” includes offensive language, jokes, and/or other conduct whether, visual, verbal, written, or physical that would make a reasonable person experiencing such behavior feel uncomfortable or would interfere with the person’s participation in the HEMAA Community -- Even if the participant offending did not mean to be offensive.

Reporting Harassment 

Members and participants are encouraged to immediately report harassment relevant parties and the appropriate authorities. It may also be appropriate to notify the HEMAA if an affiliate or member faces criminal charges or lawsuit, although the HEMAA is not a governing body and can not impose penalties. Reporting is encouraged even if the alleged harasser is only peripherally linked to the HEMAA, HEMAA Events, or HEMAA Projects.

• If you believe that you have been or are being harassed.  

• If you believe that someone else has been or is being harassed. 

To report harassment, contact the HEMAA General Council directly: gc@hemaalliance.com

Once your report has been received, the HEMAA General Council will:  

• Conduct a prompt and thorough review, forwarding the report to the US Center for SafeSport, with consent if appropriate  .

• Keep the information and results as confidential as possible.

• Discuss the results with the individual reporting and, where appropriate, the action to be taken. 

  • Action may only be taken if someone is a HEMAA member. 

• If the complaint is verified, take appropriate corrective action, up to and including removal from HEMAA support and a public statement from the HEMAA.

No one will be admonished for bringing a good-faith report of harassment to the HEMAA’s attention or for cooperating. Retaliation of any kind arising from any complaint will not be tolerated.

U.S. Center for SafeSport

The HEMAA has also partnered with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, an independent 501c(3) non-profit organization focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport. This provides the HEMAA with a parallel set of guidelines and reporting procedures.

“The U.S. Congress designated the U.S. Center for SafeSport with the authority to respond to reports of sexual misconduct within the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movements by passing the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. This legislation also known as S.534, designates the Center to serve as the independent national safe sport organization, with the additional responsibility for the Center to develop national policies and procedures to prevent the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of amateur athletes.

“Through this legislation, the Center has the exclusive authority to respond to allegations of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct within the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. It also allows the Center to have discretionary jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis over any other forms of misconduct, including bullying, harassment, and physical and emotional abuse.”