The Northwest Editors Guild (Guild) connects clients with professional editors of the written word. We foster community among our members and provide resources for their career development. The Guild aims to be a safe, inclusive organization. 

The Guild cultivates community and comradeship while honoring collegial and professional concerns. We do not tolerate harassment, mistreatment, or discrimination of or by any participant. Participants are expected to be mindful and respectful in speech and actions. Every participant can expect to be treated with this consideration, regardless of sex, gender identity, race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion or belief, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected category. Affiliation with the Guild and participation in Guild meetings and events, online and in person, is contingent upon this standard of behavior.  

Participants are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism and to act lawfully, ethically, and respectfully. They are expected to strive for the highest standard of fairness and accuracy. We encourage thoughtful, spirited discussion and discourse; active disruption or disrespect is not welcome. The following activities are prohibited.

• Intentional and uninvited physical contact, or sexual harassment of any kind

• Using discriminatory imagery or language (except when being used as examples for training purposes, following a disclaimer)

• Intentionally disrupting presentations

• Misrepresenting the Guild, its positions, or its policies

• Offering criticism, reviews, testimonials, or endorsements for products, books, programs, or other endeavors in such a way that the Guild’s approval is implied

• Using the Guild’s logo without authorization

The Guild considers violation of this code to be a serious matter. Violations may be addressed by asking the offending party to leave an event, by prohibiting the participant from participating in future events or using the Guild’s online platforms, by cancellation of Guild membership, or by a combination of these penalties. In the event of an expulsion, prohibition, or cancelation for violating this code of conduct, registration fees and membership dues will not be refunded. 

Guild members strive to cultivate a professional community that is safe and inclusive for people of all backgrounds and identities. Our society and industry privilege white/White*, patriarchal structures, and the Guild is committed to supporting and furthering efforts  to dismantle that privilege. As such, participants adhering to this code are expected to:

• Honor a diversity of perspectives by making antibiased choices and being antiracist.

• Recognize that words matter. The negative impact of racist, ableist, or otherwise biased language and ideas far outweighs a well-meaning or neutral intent.

• Acknowledge that experience shapes bias. As with any skill or high-level understanding, active learning and engagement will help disrupt that bias.

(*The Guild does not take an official position on capitalization of "white/White" in this context, because reputable style guides and organizations offer differing advice, and the best choice may depend on context and audience.")

The board of directors is solely responsible for interpreting and applying this code. Participants are asked to report any potential violations of the code (or other behavior that reflects poorly on the Guild or disrupts Guild business) to the board of directors in person or via email.