Our Community

​

VEST exists to support women as they navigate their careers, build businesses, lead organizations, and pursue what's next.

​

The strength of VEST comes from the relationships members build with one another. Those relationships require trust, generosity, respect, and a willingness to learn from people whose backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives may be different from our own.

​

These Community Guidelines & Code of Conduct establish how we expect members and others participating in the VEST community to show up for one another.

​

How We Show Up

​

Be Kind. We exist to support each other as we navigate careers and build businesses. This is hard work, and it can be messy. Remember that we come from different backgrounds and lived experiences. Lead with kindness, curiosity, and grace.

 

Be Additive. Come with an open mind and a desire to learn—and offer help, perspective, connections, and resources when you can. You don't have to have all the answers to contribute. Sometimes asking a thoughtful question or making space for someone else is just as valuable.

 

Be Respectful. We are not a cult. We're going to disagree from time to time and that's healthy. Challenge ideas, ask difficult questions, and share different perspectives. Do it respectfully and in good faith. Disagreement alone is not disrespect, harassment, or a violation of these guidelines.

 

Be Trustworthy. VEST is a space where members should be able to have candid conversations about their careers, businesses, leadership, challenges, and lives. Treat personal, sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information accordingly. Don't share another member's story, information, or private conversation outside the community without their permission.

​

Respect Boundaries. Being part of VEST gives you access to a community. It does not give you unlimited access to another member's time, relationships, network, or resources. Respect when someone declines a meeting, introduction, investment opportunity, partnership, request, or other interaction. Don't pressure someone to continue a professional, commercial, social, or personal relationship they have chosen not to pursue.

​

Be Reliable. Do what you say you are going to do. If you make a commitment to another member, follow through or communicate when circumstances change. Be responsive and courteous when members reach out, even when the answer is no.

 

Be Intentional. We know everyone is busy. When you choose to participate, make an effort to be present.

Join sessions and events when you can. Participate in conversations. Share your experiences and perspectives. When appropriate, minimize distractions and help create an environment where others can participate meaningfully too.

 

Time Is a Form of Justice. Honor people's time by showing up on time and sharing the space wisely. If you tend to speak often, make room for others. If you tend to hold back, we encourage you to contribute. A strong community makes room for many voices.

 

No Soliciting. VEST is a relationship-driven community, not a prospecting list. 

 

We want members to learn about one another's work, support each other, and pursue opportunities that emerge organically from relationships. We don't want members to feel like joining VEST means becoming someone else's sales lead.

​

DO:

• Tell members about your work when relevant to a VEST Table, session, event, or community conversation.

• Follow up individually when someone expresses interest in what you do.

• Build genuine relationships with other members.

• Share useful information, resources, opportunities, and community events.

• Ask for advice, feedback, or connections when appropriate.

• Share opportunities that may genuinely benefit other members.
   

DON'T:

• Use VEST sessions, events, Tables, or digital spaces primarily to market or advertise your products or services.

• Send unsolicited mass sales, fundraising, recruiting, or promotional messages to members.

• Use the VEST membership directory or member information to create mailing lists, contact lists, groups, or other databases without permission.

• Mass-tag members in public posts without their permission.

• Pressure members to purchase, donate, invest, hire, introduce, or otherwise support you or your organization.

• Repeatedly solicit someone after they have declined or have not expressed interest.

 

Relationships and business opportunities will naturally emerge from VEST. That's a good thing. The distinction is between building relationships that lead to opportunities and treating the community as a list of prospects.

 

Our Standards of Conduct

​

Kindness and respect aren't just aspirations. There are also boundaries every member of our community is expected to observe.

​

VEST does not tolerate:

• Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, bullying, threats, coercion, or retaliation.

• Unwanted sexual attention, advances, or inappropriate sexual conduct.

• Derogatory, demeaning, or discriminatory conduct directed at an individual or group.

• Threats or actions intended to coerce, intimidate, retaliate against, discriminate against, or harass another person.

• Repeated unwanted contact or disregard for clearly communicated personal or professional boundaries.

• Deliberate misuse or unauthorized disclosure of another person's confidential, sensitive, or proprietary information.

• Fraud, deliberate misrepresentation, or serious dishonest conduct connected to VEST or relationships developed through the community.

• Persistent, misleading, exploitative, or high-pressure solicitation.

• Physical violence, credible threats of violence, or conduct that creates a significant safety concern.

• Retaliation against someone for raising a concern or participating in a review in good faith.

• Other conduct that materially interferes with another person's ability to participate or materially undermines the safety, trust, or integrity of the VEST community.

 

Where These Guidelines Apply

​

These standards apply to VEST Tables, sessions, events, coaching, digital platforms, community chats, direct messages, social media, member gatherings, and other interactions reasonably connected to VEST.

​

They may also apply to conduct outside an official VEST activity when there is a meaningful connection to the VEST community or when the conduct materially affects the safety, well-being, or ability of members to participate.

 

VEST does not seek to regulate members' private lives, personal beliefs, political views, or lawful expression unrelated to the community.

​

The question is not whether everyone agrees with someone's views. The question is whether conduct meaningfully connected to VEST violates the standards necessary to maintain a safe, respectful, and trustworthy community.

 

Social Media and Online Conduct

 

VEST members have their own identities, businesses, opinions, and online presence.

 

Membership does not require you to publicly represent VEST, agree with VEST, or refrain from good-faith criticism of VEST or another member.

​

However, online conduct may violate these guidelines when it involves harassment, threats, intimidation, discrimination, retaliation, targeted abuse, disclosure of confidential information, or other prohibited conduct with a meaningful connection to the VEST community.

​

The same standards of respect and boundaries that apply in person apply to VEST-connected interactions online.

​

If Something Happens

​

If you experience, witness, or become aware of conduct that you reasonably believe violates these guidelines, we encourage you to tell us.

​

You can contact:

VEST Membership Team
MembershipTeam@VESTHer.co

​

Share as much information as you reasonably can so we can understand the concern and determine an appropriate response.

​

VEST will make reasonable efforts to handle concerns discreetly. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when reviewing or responding to a concern requires us to speak with others.

​

No Retaliation

 

No member should be punished, threatened, excluded, intimidated, or otherwise retaliated against for raising a concern or participating in a review in good faith.

 

Retaliation is itself a violation of these guidelines.

 

Knowingly making a materially false allegation in bad faith may also violate these guidelines. A concern that ultimately cannot be substantiated does not, by itself, mean it was made in bad faith.

 

How VEST May Respond

​

When concerns arise, VEST will consider the nature, severity, frequency, and context of the conduct and respond as appropriate.

​

Depending on the circumstances, VEST may:

• Have a conversation or clarify expectations.

• Issue a warning.

• Establish conditions on continued participation.

• Restrict access to certain events, programs, digital spaces, or community activities.

• Temporarily suspend membership while a concern is reviewed.

• Terminate membership.

• Take other reasonable action necessary to protect members or the integrity of the community.

 

Serious conduct may result in immediate suspension or termination.

 

A criminal charge, conviction, civil judgment, or formal finding by another organization is not required for VEST to determine that its own community standards have been violated.

​

When circumstances reasonably permit, a member whose conduct is at issue will have an opportunity to respond before a final termination decision is made. VEST may take immediate interim action when reasonably necessary to protect members, staff, the community, or the integrity of a review.

 

Membership fees following termination are handled in accordance with the VEST Membership Agreement.

 

A Shared Responsibility

​

VEST works because members choose to invest in one another.

​

We don't expect everyone to think alike. We do expect members to treat one another with dignity, respect boundaries, protect trust, and contribute to a community where people can participate without harassment, intimidation, discrimination, threats, or retaliation.

​

If you have suggestions for strengthening our community, or need to report a concern, please contact MembershipTeam@VESTHer.co.