Purpose
The National Communication Association (NCA) is committed to creating and supporting inclusive, diverse, and equitable communities of practice. NCA Communities exist to facilitate professional engagement, information sharing, networking, and collaboration among NCA members and Interest Groups.
By participating in NCA Communities, all users and administrators agree to uphold NCA’s values, including the principles outlined in NCA’s Terms of Use, Credo for Ethical Communication, Credo for Free and Responsible Use of Electronic Communication Networks, and this Code of Conduct.
Community Standards
NCA Communities is intended to be a welcoming, respectful, and professional environment. Members are expected to engage in a manner that supports thoughtful dialogue and professional exchange.
NCA is dedicated to facilitating experiences that are free from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and inappropriate conduct.
It is important to act in accordance with the following:
- Display respect for the myriad demographic and psychographic dimensions encountered in others.
- Advocate truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity of communication.
- Endorse freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, and tolerance of dissent to achieve the informed and responsible decision-making that is fundamental to civil society.
- Strive to understand and respect other communicators.
- Condemn communication that degrades individuals and humanity through distortion, intimidation, coercion, and violence and through the expression of intolerance and hatred.
- Advocate sharing information, opinions, and feelings when facing significant choices while also respecting privacy and confidentiality.
The following behaviors are prohibited:
- Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination based on ability, age, appearance, body size, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, immigration status, language, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
- Sexual harassment, including unwelcome sexual attention and stalking.
- Personal attacks, threats, bullying, or abusive behavior.
- Excessively profane, vulgar, or abusive language that is directed at individuals or intended to harass, intimidate, or disrupt community discussions.
- Knowingly posting false, misleading, defamatory, or fraudulent information.
- Content that violates copyright, trademark, privacy, or other applicable laws.
- Commercial solicitation, advertising, or promotional content unrelated to the mission and activities of NCA or the Interest Group.
- Content promoting student enrollment or registration in academic courses.
- Any activity that violates NCA’s Terms of Use, Credo for Ethical Communication, and/or Credo for Free and Responsible Use of Electronic Communication Networks.
This policy is not intended to restrict responsible scholarly, artistic, professional, or academic discourse and debate.
Content Submission Guidelines
NCA Communities serves as a communication and engagement platform for Interest Groups. Users submitting content are responsible for ensuring that all materials are:
- Accurate and current.
- Legally compliant, including adherence to copyright and intellectual property laws.
- Relevant to the mission of NCA and the applicable Interest Group.
- Professional and respectful in tone and content.
Submissions are not edited for content, spelling, grammar, or formatting. Users are responsible for reviewing submissions before posting.
Duplicate announcements are not permitted. The same announcement may only be distributed once through NCA Communities.
NCA and Interest Group administrators reserve the right to refuse, remove, or limit publication of any submission for any reason, including but not limited to violations of this Code of Conduct, NCA policies, or applicable laws.
Submission requirements and guidelines may be modified at any time.
Administrator Responsibilities
Interest Group administrators serve as community facilitators and representatives of NCA. Administrators are expected to:
- Model professional, respectful, and inclusive behavior.
- Promote engagement and participation within their communities.
- Ensure content complies with NCA policies and this Code of Conduct.
- Escalate policy concerns, member complaints, or conduct violations to NCA staff.
- Complete any required administrator training and acknowledgements.
Interest Group administrators may not add, remove, or modify membership rosters. NCA staff will manage all official Interest Group membership records and community access permissions.
Administrators may not use their role to promote personal, commercial, political, or organizational interests unrelated to NCA or the Interest Group.
Failure to comply with administrator responsibilities may result in removal of administrator privileges or dismissal from the administrator role.
Enforcement
NCA reserves the right to remove content, suspend access, revoke administrator privileges, or take other appropriate action when violations of this Code of Conduct occur.
Violations will be reviewed by NCA staff and addressed at NCA’s discretion.
Disclaimer
NCA is not responsible for the policies, procedures, products, services, or statements of any company, organization, institution, or individual posting content within NCA Communities.
Users are solely responsible for the content they submit, and the accuracy, legality, timeliness, and reliability of that content.
Reporting Concerns
Members who experience or witness behavior that violates this Code of Conduct should report the matter.
Reports and concerns may be submitted to: communications@natcom.org.
NCA will review reports promptly and take appropriate action consistent with its policies and procedures.
Acknowledgement
Participation in NCA Communities constitutes acknowledgement of and agreement to comply with this Code of Conduct, NCA’s Terms of Use, NCA’s Credo for Ethical Communication, and NCA’s Credo for Free and Responsible Use of Electronic Communication Networks. NCA Communities administrators will need to complete a form acknowledging this Code of Conduct on an annual basis.