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Code of Conduct

Inspire Leadership Network Code of Conduct

Inspire Leadership Network Code of Conduct

Inspire Leadership Network has updated its Code of Conduct, which is outlined below. By joining as a Member, Underwriter, or Partner, attending any Inspire event, using any collaboration platform, or using any Inspire website (each a “Participant” or collectively “Participants”), you agree to the revised terms.

Last Updated: May 2026

Overview

International CIO Leadership Association, LLC, d.b.a. Inspire Leadership Network, InspireCIO, InspireCISO, or InspireCMO (“Inspire”) is committed to providing a safe, tolerant, open, inclusive, and confidential environment for all Members, Underwriters, Partners, Staff, Guests, and other event attendees, speakers, and facilities staff that engage with Inspire (collectively the “Inspire Community” or the “Community”). By joining the Inspire Community you personally commit to upholding the standard of behaviors outlined in this Code of Conduct (“Code”).

Inspire is an executive peer leadership network consisting of local Member chapters, each with a Member Advisory Board (“Advisory Board”) and an Inspire Representative (“Executive Director”) to support effective chapter governance. The Inspire Leadership Team (“Inspire Leadership”) supports effective networkwide governance and escalations of Code violations. The Advisory Board along with the Executive Director will enforce this Code for each chapter, keeping Inspire Leadership notified and involved when and where needed, and Inspire Leadership will enforce this Code for networkwide events.  If there is a need for escalation, Inspire Leadership will make the ultimate decision on enforcement of this Code, with the input of the respective chapter Advisory Board and Executive Director.

Everyone within the Inspire Community is personally responsible for their own behavior within Inspire events, collaboration platforms, social media sites, and websites. Inspire has no tolerance for illegal activity, physical/verbal/sexual harassment, breaking of Inspire Community confidence or stewardship. Any person found to be in violation of this Code will be subject to disciplinary actions, up and to including being removed from the Inspire Community and may be subject to further disciplinary action.

Inclusivity and Professional Conduct

Summary

Inspire is committed to maintaining a welcoming, respectful, and professional environment where Members and other participants in the Inspire Community can engage openly and constructively.  Inspire’s events, discussions, and collaboration platforms require everyone to be treated with respect and equal opportunities irrespective of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender).

Expectations

Participants are expected to:

  • Treat all Members, guests, sponsors, and staff with professionalism and respect
  • Foster constructive dialogue and collaboration
  • Respect differing opinions, backgrounds, and experiences
  • Contribute to an environment that encourages participation, trust, and shared learning

Violations

Conduct inconsistent with these expectations may include, but is not limited to:

  • Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or abusive behavior
  • Personal attacks, threats, or disruptive conduct
  • Repeated inappropriate or disrespectful communication
  • Behavior that materially interferes with the ability of others to participate fully in the Community

Illegal or Prohibited Activity

Expectations

Participants are expected to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards while participating in Inspire activities or using Inspire platforms and resources. Undertaking, encouraging, or enabling any illegal activity at Inspire events, or on community platforms will be immediately reported to appropriate authorities. Each member of the Inspire Community is obliged to alert Inspire without delay if they become suspicious or aware of such activity.

Violations

Prohibited conduct may include, but is not limited to:

  • Fraudulent, deceptive, or unlawful activity
  • Unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted, proprietary, or confidential materials
  • Misrepresentation of affiliation, identity, or authority within the Inspire Community
  • Use of Inspire platforms or events for unlawful commercial, financial, or promotional activity

Confidentiality

Summary

To encourage openness of discussion and to facilitate the sharing of information, all Inspire events and collaboration platforms are – unless otherwise explicitly stated – assumed to take place under the Chatham House Rule:

When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

In conjunction with the Chatham House Rule, a specific Inspire event, portion of an event, discussion, thread on a collaboration platform, or other shared information may be designated by the Advisory Board, Executive Director, Inspire Leadership, event facilitator, or the Community participant sharing the information to be conducted under the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP), a set of designations used to ensure that sensitive information is shared with the appropriate audience.

Expectations

The Chatham House Rule and Traffic Light Protocol are tools to encourage free discussion amongst the Inspire Community. It provides a way for the Inspire Community to discuss their views confidentially and openly at Inspire events while allowing the topic and nature of the debate to be utilized by others within the Inspire Community and contribute to a broader conversation that further the cause of good information technology practices.

The Inspire Community may use information that has been shared within the Inspire Community for the purposes of furthering the interests of the Community participant as long as the information:

  • Remains non-attributable to an individual, organization, or affiliation.

Does not include any material that could allow someone to identify or infer an individual (or their organization’s) technology, security posture, or other organizational strategy.

Violations

The nature of Inspire events and discussions can mean that sensitive information regarding specific organizations’ technology, security posture, or other organizational strategy, and specific individuals’ opinions on (for example) suppliers and other third parties, are shared within the Inspire Community under the Chatham House Rule and TLP, when designated.

A violation of the Chatham House Rule and TLP when designated will be considered to be a Confidentiality Violation of this Code.

Confidentiality violations may also include, but are not limited to:

  • Sharing confidential or sensitive information disclosed within Inspire without authorization
  • Recording, distributing, or publicly disclosing private conversations, presentations, or discussions without permission
  • Using confidential information gained through Inspire participation for personal, competitive, or commercial advantage
  • Repeated conduct that materially undermines trust and openness within the community

Community Stewardship

Summary

The Inspire Community is built upon a foundation of trust, collaboration, and meaningful relationships where Members openly share experiences, challenges, and perspectives for the benefit of one another.

Expectations

Participation in the Inspire Community carries the expectation that relationships, access, introductions, and opportunities developed through the Inspire Community will be used in ways that strengthen and protect the integrity, mission, and long-term value of the Inspire Community for all Participants.

Participants are expected to act in good faith toward the Community and refrain from conduct that intentionally or materially undermines the Community and its mission.

Violations

Behavior that undermines the integrity, trust, or sustainability of the Inspire Community (“Community Stewardship Violations”) may include, but is not limited to:

  • Using Inspire Community events, meetings, collaboration platforms, directories, communications, or relationships developed through Community participation to intentionally solicit, recruit, organize, or materially divert Members, Underwriters, Partners, or staff to competing organizations, communities, or networks
  • Coordinating, encouraging, or materially facilitating efforts to reduce Member participation in the Community in favor of a competing organization, network, or initiative
  • Using confidential, proprietary, or relationship-based access gained through the Community for the primary or intentional purpose of building, promoting, or supporting a competing community or commercial endeavor targeting Inspire Participants
  • Encouraging, facilitating, or assisting others in engaging in any of the behaviors described above
  • Repeated or coordinated conduct that materially disrupts trust, collaboration, or the community experience for Participants

Reporting Code Violations and Responses

Summary 

All Participants of the Inspire Community are empowered and encouraged, if they feel comfortable, to politely engage when they witness or become aware of Code Violations. Engage politely with the person(s) involved and let them know that their behavior is in violation of this Code. The person responsible may not be aware that their behavior is in violation, and discreetly bringing the issue to their attention, and giving them the opportunity to apologize and change how they are interacting with others and may prevent an escalation. Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in corrective action deemed appropriate by the respective chapter Advisory Board or Inspire Leadership based on the nature, severity, and impact of the conduct.

Reporting

You can report Violations of this Code (each a “Violation” and collectively “Violations”) directly to your respective Chapter’s Advisory Board or Executive Director, or to Inspire Leadership by emailing your concern to [email protected].

While there is no time limit for reporting a Violation, we encourage you to submit a report immediately, as it can be difficult to evaluate the situation the longer time passes.

Review and Enforcement

Review Process and Considerations

When you report suspected Violations, Inspire will respond promptly and with care, consideration, and respect. Our process does not replace nor remove the formal mechanisms available to you as an individual or organization to report Violations, such as making a police report or taking legal action.

  • We will acknowledge your report and reply via email within seventy-two (72) hours that we have received your query to the email [email protected].
  • We will perform a thorough evaluation within thirty (30) days unless more time is reasonably required. We will keep the evaluation professional and confidential, gathering supporting material such as witness statements, CCTV if available, etc., and set expectations around what the person reporting the alleged Violation should expect in terms of the final report findings or statement. We will treat all Inspire Community members involved fairly and objectively, irrespective of our relationship with them.
  • In determining whether a violation has occurred and the appropriate response, Inspire may consider:
    • Whether the conduct was intentional, coordinated, repeated, or materially harmful to the Community
    • The nature, scope, and impact of the conduct
    • Whether Inspire relationships, platforms, events, or access were used inappropriately
    • Prior warnings, corrective discussions, or related conduct
    • The reporting Inspire Community participant’s wishes in any enforcement of this Code.
  • We will seek the input and recommendations from the involved chapter Advisory Board and then take appropriate action against Inspire Community members who are shown to have committed a Violation (“Responses”).
  • We will suggest measures we can take to ensure Violations do not reoccur in future and implement those which are appropriate to the specific platform or event.
  • We will analyze our progress with regards to reported Violations and inform the involved parties periodically about our progress.

Possible Responses

Responses to Violations may include, but are not limited to:

  • Informal guidance or warning (from Advisory Board or Inspire Leadership)

  • Give direction to learning resources on the Violation topic, such as confidentiality, harassment, bullying or anti-social behavior
  • Temporary suspension of participation or access to the Inspire Community
  • Restrictions on future participation in Inspire Community activities
  • Removal from specific programs, events, or leadership opportunities
  • Termination or non-renewal of membership or partner agreement
  • If necessary, make a report to appropriate local authorities

Inspire Leadership reserves the right to interpret and enforce this Code of Conduct in a manner consistent with the mission, integrity, safety, and long-term interests of the Inspire Community.  We reserve the right to remove individuals or their organization from the Inspire Community or prevent individuals from joining the Inspire Community at the sole discretion of Inspire Leadership, taking into consideration the input and recommendation of the involved chapter Advisory Board.

Contact Information 

If you have any questions or concerns about this Code of Conduct, please contact us at [email protected].