Community well-being
Site content
Support persons
Safer Space Guidelines
Code of Conduct
Accessibility
Chat discussion rules
Sauna practices
Groups committed to the guidelines
Support persons
Has something worrying happened in our activities? Are you experiencing personal hardship that affects you in EA context? Have you encountered harassment or inappropriate behaviour while participating in our activities?
EA Finland support staff Ada-Maaria, Anssi and Xylix are here for you. You can talk to us in confidence about issues that are bothering you, and if necessary, we can intervene to deal with disruptive behaviour on your behalf. Contact with support workers is confidential and you can also contact us anonymously.
Aalto EA also has its own support person: Alva Anttonen (she/her), alva.anttonen[a]altruismi.fi, Telegram @Akkete
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Ada-Maaria Hyvärinen
(she/her)
ada-maaria.hyvarinen[a]altruismi.fi
Telegram: @adaisti -
Anssi Lehtonen
anssi.lehtonen1[a]gmail.com
Telegram: @Anstonen -
Xylix (Kerkko Pelttari)
(she/her)
xylix[a]altruismi.fi
Telegram: @Xylix
Safer Space Guidelines
The Safer Space Guidelines are a shorter version of the Code of Conduct.
We recommend printing the file for larger EA events and presenting it at the beginning of the event so that all participants are aware of its contents.
For larger events, it is also advisable to designate a support person present at the event whom participants can contact for urgent matters.
Effective Altruism Finland (EAFI) is an organization, a network and a community of people who are willing to help one another and collectively work towards a better world. Our members are from all walks of life and have a wide range of personal beliefs – what unites us is our desire to be more effective in how we do good.
The Code of Conduct exists to ensure that people can collaborate in a positive and successful way. Psychological and physical safety is the cornerstone of the ability to show uncertainty and change our minds. To that end, we have a few ground rules that we ask people to adhere to. This isn’t an exhaustive list of things that you can’t do. Rather, take it in the spirit in which it is intended — a guide to make it easier to enrich all of us and the communities in which we participate.
The Code of Conduct applies to all spaces managed by EAFI. This includes online spaces, in-person events, and any forum which the community uses for communication. These standards apply to all people who are involved in the planning and creation of an EA event in Finland that is run or directly supported by EAFI. They can also serve other people organizing events in Finland as a guideline. If you violate this code of conduct your participation might be limited.
If you believe someone is violating the Code of Conduct, we ask that you report it by contacting our support persons who will deal with it on the level of confidentiality you wish for. For faster action on events where the EAFI support persons are not present, you can contact the event organizer or a designated support person for that event. Possible responses include, but are not limited to: giving a warning to the individual, requiring them not to interact with another person or asking them to leave the community space.
Code of Conduct
Encouraged behaviors
Be welcoming, friendly, patient and considerate with each other.
Be respectful: Not all of us will agree all the time. Disagreement is no excuse for poor behavior and poor manners. We might all experience some frustration now and then, but we shouldn’t allow that frustration to turn into personal attacks.
Have and assume good intentions.
When we disagree, try to understand why: Disagreements happen all the time and it is important that we resolve differing views constructively. We understand that human interaction can be complex and confusing. Please give each other the benefit of explaining behavior you find offensive or unwelcome. However, people asked to stop any prohibited conduct are expected to comply immediately.
Aim for intellectual honesty, considerateness and cooperation and be ready to question our own beliefs.
Respect everyone’s right to their own values and lifestyles, and allow them to grow at their own pace.
Seek consent and respect when someone else sets a boundary.
Avoid making assumptions related to the identity, sexual orientation, gender, life situation, experiences, thoughts or moral views of another person.
Reflect on your own privileges and responsibilities that come with them.
If you cause harm, acknowledge it and if needed, apologize.
Prohibited behavior
Do not insult or put down other participants. Harassment and other exclusionary behavior aren't acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to:
Violent threats or language directed against another person
Discriminatory jokes and language
Posting sexually explicit or violent material
Personal insults
Unwelcome sexual attention
Harassment of others. If someone seems uncomfortable or asks you to stop, then stop
Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
Alcohol and illegal drugs:
Do not encourage others to consume alcohol or illegal drugs
When alcohol is provided, we expect participants to drink responsibly. Responsible drinking means to us that you are able to take full responsibility for your words and actions
The consumption of illegal drugs is not permitted at our events.
Accessibility
We encourage all participants to inform the organisers or the EA Finland team of any special needs before the event, and we encourage the organisers to take appropriate steps to accommodate them. We aim to ensure that our community events are as inclusive as possible and take into account different needs (e.g. accessibility and accessibility, dietary and family needs).
Chat discussion rules
The Effective Altruism Finland chat rules have been created specifically for large group chats to encourage better discussion, which follow the purpose of the chats. The chat rules also support moderation of the chats.
Sauna practices
Sauna is sometimes a part of our events. The practices of sauna may be unfamiliar to new participants, and we hope these instructions help people feel safer and be considerate of others' boundaries.
Even though it is a sauna event, going to sauna is not mandatory. Typically, not everyone wants or can sauna simultaneously, providing a social space in the common room for those who choose not to sauna. Wearing a swimsuit is always allowed, but being nude is also okay unless there is a specific sauna turn for swimsuits only. If the event schedule allows, it is recommended to have gendered sauna turns and a mixed-gender turn. If you have preferences for sauna turns, please share them with the event organizers in confidence, and they'll do their best to accommodate them. Leave the sauna according to your own needs and take care of sufficient hydration. Remember to bring your own towel if you plan on going to the sauna unless stated otherwise.
Follow the Code of Conduct with special care. Seek consent and respect when someone else sets a boundary. Contact the event organizer or support persons if you have questions or have encountered inappropriate behavior. These conversations will be handled sensitively and privately.
At best, sauna events provide an environment where one can engage in relaxed conversations about anything under the sun, and sauna has been one of the most popular activities, for example at weekend retreats.
Groups committed to the guidelines
The main organisers and/or boards of the following groups are committed to following the Code of Conduct and to taking into account the different accessibility needs in their activities. When a new board or year starts, the group re-commits to the Code of Conduct.
Aalto Effective Altruism ry (5.5.2025)
Effective Altruism Finland ry (22.12.2023)
Effective Altruism Helsinki (22.1.2024)