Proposal to Adopt the NumFOCUS Code of Conduct for SunPy

SunPy
1

Hi all,

The SunPy Steering Committee is proposing that SunPy formally opt in to the NumFOCUS Code of Conduct: https://numfocus.org/code-of-conduct

This aligns us with many projects in the scientific Python ecosystem and provides a clear, externally supported framework for maintaining a welcoming and inclusive community.

Our current Code of Conduct already follows the same principles:
https://sunpy.org/coc/

Adopting the NumFOCUS version would formalise this and allow us to draw on their guidance and support when handling any Code of Conduct matters.

What this means:

  • The NumFOCUS Code of Conduct would apply across all SunPy spaces
  • Our Steering Committee and Ombudsperson will handle these matters regarding any violation of the Code of Conduct
  • We would be able to draw on NumFOCUS guidance and support when handling any issues

We are asking project custodians to vote on this proposal. If there are no major concerns, we will proceed to a formal vote shortly. This will be updated on our webpage, see this open PR for details: Code of Conduct — sunpy.org

Thanks!
The SunPy Steering Committee

1 Like
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I’m confused by what exactly is meant by adopting the NumFOCUS CoC. According to the NumFOCUS CoC, the NumFOCUS CoC Working Group (WG) formulates the response to a CoC violation and executes that response. There does not appear to be any provision for the involvement of our Steering Committee or our Ombudsperson, much less deferring to them to “handle these matters”.

There is a statement in the NumFOCUS CoC that the WG has “an advisory role toward other Code of Conduct Committees in the NumFOCUS ecosystem”, but that reads to me as saying that the WG will assist NumFOCUS projects that are using a non-NumFOCUS CoC. It doesn’t read to me as allowing the WG to not follow through on its charter for handling reported violations of the NumFOCUS CoC.

In other words, it sounds like we are not literally adopting the NumFOCUS CoC. It seems weird to say that the NumFOCUS CoC is our CoC but then not follow its stated violation-resolution procedure.