Code of Conduct

This code applies to all attendees, guests, facilitators and anyone representing Strategy Strolls, at every event, in event WhatsApp groups, and on our social media channels.

We ask everyone to treat each other, our facilitators, and members of the public we encounter at Nowton Park with courtesy and respect at all times.

• Treat every attendee with dignity, regardless of age, background, ability, role, seniority, or how new they are to Strategy Strolls.
• No form of harassment, discrimination, bullying, or inappropriate comments, including those relating to race, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic, will be tolerated.
• Everyone's hidden or non-visible needs, whether physical, sensory, neurological or mental health-related, should be respected in the same way as any visible one, in line with our Inclusivity & Accessibility Statement.

Strategy Strolls works because it doesn't feel like a hard sell. To keep it that way, we ask attendees to:

• Come with curiosity, not just a pitch, listen as much as you talk.
• Avoid hard-selling, aggressive self-promotion, or treating another attendee's time as a captive audience for a sales pitch.
• Be generous with advice, contacts and encouragement, even where there's no obvious benefit to you, this is what makes the group's problem-solving pow-wow work.
• Respect confidentiality: we operate on a Chatham House basis - you're welcome to share the ideas, advice or insights that come out of a problem-solving pow-wow or one-to-one conversation, but please don't reveal who said what, or which business it relates to, without that person's permission.
• Exchange contact details and follow up only with people who've indicated they're happy to be contacted.

Each event has an optional WhatsApp group to help attendees introduce themselves and reduce the awkwardness of cold introductions. To keep this a useful space:

• Use the group to introduce yourself and your business, and to engage warmly with others doing the same.
• Keep messages relevant to the event the group relates to, the group closes 7 days after the event for this reason.
• Treat group members with the same respect expected at the event itself.

Facilitators may remove anyone from a WhatsApp group whose messages don't reflect this code.

• Please let Jo or Ruth know in advance of any accessibility requirements, medical conditions, or adjustments that would help you enjoy the walk safely and comfortably.
• Wear suitable footwear and clothing for the route and weather. Nowton Park has established footpaths, but the terrain can be variable underfoot.
• Follow the guidance of our facilitators at all times, particularly around pace, route changes, or any safety instructions.
• Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads at all times; assistance dogs are always welcome.
• If you ever feel unsafe, unwell, or uncomfortable during an event, please tell a facilitator immediately, Jo and Ruth are there to support you.
• Please don't smoke, vape, or drink alcohol during the event. Strategy Strolls is an alcohol-free, smoke-free space so that everyone can walk, think and network safely.

We take photos at events to use for promotional purposes, such as our website and social media. If you'd prefer not to appear in any photos, please let us know in advance of the event. If you didn't have the chance to tell us beforehand, just flag it to Jo or Ruth at the start of the walk and we'll make sure to leave you out of shot.

If you post about Strategy Strolls yourself, we simply ask that you're mindful of other attendees' privacy. Please don't name, tag, or share photos or details of other attendees' businesses without their permission. You are very welcome (and encouraged) to tag Jo, Ruth and/or the Strategy Strolls account.

Strategy Strolls is a small, close-knit community, and we take this code seriously so that it stays a space people trust. If an attendee's behaviour breaches this code, our facilitators may:

• Speak to the individual directly at the time, to address the behaviour informally where possible.
• Ask the individual to leave the event.
• Remove the individual from a WhatsApp group.
• Decline to offer that individual a place at future Strategy Strolls events.

In serious cases, no refund or roll-over will be offered where an event is left early, or a place is withdrawn, as a result of a breach of this code.

If you experience or witness behaviour that concerns you, at an event, in a WhatsApp group, or online, please tell Jo or Ruth as soon as possible. All concerns will be treated seriously, sensitively and in confidence wherever possible.