SubGroups/Dispute
Dispute committee
The dispute committee helps to facilitate a safe experience at TechInc for all members, resolves conflicts between members, and addresses problematic behaviors of people in the space. The scope of our work includes issues as simple as two members not agreeing on how the 3D printer should be used, up to and including serious incidents of harassment or other problematic behavior.
The dispute committee is governed by the dispute framework (PDF).
Getting help
We are here to listen and to help.
To reach the dispute committee, please use one of the following means:
- Send an email to disputes@techinc.nl
- Directly reach out to any dispute committee member:
| Member | PGP key | Signal | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mrCyborg | mrcyborg@mrcyborg.nl | @blahaj.42 | Elected 2023-06-11 | |
| Drew | drew@ddevault.org | PGP key | @ddevault.77 | Elected 2026-09-20 |
| Li0n | Elected 2026-09-20 |
You are also welcome to reach out to any committee member in person.
If you reach out to a dispute committee member directly, please be sure to mention that your message concerns the dispute committee.
Contacting us anonymously
You can reach out to us anonymously by placing a sealed letter addressed to the "Dispute Committee" in the deposit box at TechInc, which is located near RevBank. Note that we only process disputes from parties to the dispute, so anonymous letters cannot be directly used for a dispute, however, we may reach out to affected parties at our discretion to initiate the process from an anonymous tip. Please also be aware that letters sent in this manner require additional processing time, as a board member checks the box weekly and then has to hand the letter over to the dispute committee before it can be processed.
How does it work?
First and foremost the dispute committee's job is to act as trusted, neutral, and informal mediators of conflict. We're here to help resolve matters as peacefully as possible, with respect for everyone who is affected. We can simply provide a trusted person to listen to you, suggest solutions and compromises, act as mediators during discussions about your concerns, and connect you to resources that can help. We are committed to respecting the privacy and agency of all members and guests of the association, particularly when we are handling sensitive information about conflicts.
For more serious matters, we have a formal dispute resolution process, which is explained in detail in the dispute framework (PDF). You always have the choice between formal and informal mediation, and we respect your right to use, or refuse, the tools that are available to you to resolve conflicts. Note that the formal dispute process is the only means by which the dispute committee can recommend punitive action to resolve conflicts, such as suspensions of memberships, temporary prohibitions from the space, and so on.
If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to reach out to us so that we can clarify matters for you.
Overview
The process looks something like this:
- The committee receives your formal dispute request.
- The committee determines if the dispute is eligible for us to process.
- The committee investigates the matter, speaking to the affected persons and collecting evidence.
- The committee determines the appropriate course of action and advises the board.
- The board carries out the committee's recommended solution.
Eligibility
The formal dispute process is only applicable when the following criteria are met:
- Members of or visitors to the space are involved.
- The complainant is a party to the dispute.
- The dispute committee and/or TechInc is in a position to meaningfully impact or be impacted by the dispute.
Conflicts of interest
The dispute committee's conflict of interest policy is outlined in the dispute framework (PDF), and committee members with a conflict of interest will be excused from handling your dispute. If you feel that the conflicts of interest that apply to your case are serious enough to affect the entire committee, you may also appeal to the Board to handle your dispute. If you perceive a conflict of interest, please inform the dispute committee when you submit your complaint.
Investigation
The dispute committee will investigate the dispute and strive to form an objective view of the situation. In this process, we will collect evidence, invite affected parties to tell us their side of the story, and deliberate the matter among ourselves.
Your rights
If you are asked to provide information regarding a dispute, you have the following rights:
- The right to refuse to testify for any reason, with or without explanation.
- The right to be accompanied by another person for emotional support.
- The right to choose to the means by which your testimony is delivered (e.g. in person, encrypted email, etc), within reason.
- The right to give your testimony in private, separately from other parties asked to testify.
Possible outcomes
The dispute committee can recommend any solution they feel is appropriate, including but not limited to:
- No action
- Informal warning
- Formal warning
- Access restrictions
- Temporary suspension of membership
- Termination of membership
In the event that a person poses a serious and credible threat to the safety and well-being of others in the space, this person's access privileges may be temporarily revoked for up to six weeks during the investigation.
When it goes wrong
There are options available when something goes wrong with this process.
The dispute committee refused my dispute, and I disagree with their decision.
You can appeal to the Board or to the ALV, who can override the dispute committee's decision. Then we'll process your dispute normally.
I don't trust the dispute committee to handle my case.
If for any reason (e.g. severe conflict of interest) you don't feel that the dispute committee is capable of handling your case, you may also submit disputes to the Board.
I disagree with the recommendations of the committee.
If the committee recommends disciplinary action against you, or the committee fails to recommend appropriate action regarding someone with whom you have a dispute, you may appeal to the ALV. There is a special process, explained in the dispute framework (PDF), which aims to protect the rights and privacy of everyone involved in a dispute when it is presented to the ALV for appeal.
The board refused to carry out the committee's recommendations.
If the board does not implement the committee's recommendations, an emergency ALV is convened to address the situation. The ALV can override the board's decision, or elect a new board if necessary. We take disputes which concern board members especially seriously and are committed to providing a safe space even when those in power or their friends are involved.
I feel that the committee or a committee member is abusing their power, negligent, etc.
The ALV can vote to remove members from the dispute committee.
Okay, so I can appeal to an ALV, but the next one is months away and this is urgent.
The board can arrange an ALV at any time, if you send them a written request and they agree that the situation is urgent.
In extraordinary circumstances, an ALV can be arranged without the board's cooperation if 10% of eligible voting members file a written order to the board to do so, and if the board refuses the members can convene the ALV themselves. See the statutes for more details.