EINDHOVEN ENTREPRENEURS

Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct applies to all EE events, the WhatsApp community, and any other EE platform or communication channel. It applies to members, volunteers, guests, and board members alike.

Eindhoven Entrepreneurs is built on a simple belief: the right people in the right room can change each other’s businesses. This only works when everyone feels safe, respected, and genuinely welcome. This Code of Conduct is how we protect that.

1. THE BASICS

Be respectful. Treat everyone with professional courtesy, regardless of background, nationality, industry, or business stage.
Be present. When you’re at an event, be there. Engage with people. Put the phone down.
Be honest. Represent yourself and your business accurately. No exaggeration, no fabrication.
Be inclusive. EE is an international community. Welcome people who are newer, quieter, or less connected than you.
Be reliable. If you register for an event, show up. If you cannot, cancel at least 24 hours in advance.

2. AT EVENTS

What we expect

Introduce yourself honestly. Your name, what you do, and what you’re working on.
Listen as much as you talk. Networking is a two-way exchange.
Respect the format. Coffee meetups are informal. Speaker evenings have a programme. Behind the Scenes Visits are hosted. Follow the lead of the organiser.
Respect the venue. Treat it as you would a business meeting room.

What is not allowed at events

Unsolicited sales pitches or hard selling to other attendees.
Collecting contact details for bulk outreach without the person’s explicit consent.
Discriminatory, offensive, or sexually inappropriate language or behaviour.
Harassment of any kind, including repeated unwanted contact.
Intoxication or behaviour that disrupts the event for others.
Recording or photographing other attendees without their consent.

3. IN THE WHATSAPP COMMUNITY

What the WhatsApp community is for

Sharing relevant opportunities, events, and resources with the community.
Asking for introductions, advice, or recommendations.
Celebrating wins and supporting each other.
Announcing EE events and updates.

What is not allowed in WhatsApp

Mass promotional messages or recurring advertisements for your own products or services.
Sharing another member’s messages or contact details outside the group without their consent.
Political, religious, or divisive content unrelated to entrepreneurship.
Spam, chain messages, or irrelevant content.
Aggressive, dismissive, or disrespectful communication.

One promotional message about your own business per month is acceptable if it is clearly relevant to the community. If in doubt, ask a board member first.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY

Members often share sensitive business information at EE events. What is shared in the room stays in the room. Do not share another member’s business information, challenges, or personal circumstances without their explicit permission.

5. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

If you are in a business relationship, partnership, or competitive situation with another member, be transparent about it. EE is not the place to pursue disputes or use community access to gain unfair advantage over other members.

6. REPORTING A CONCERN

If you experience or witness behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, please report it to a board member directly or by email at info@eindhoven-entrepreneurs.nl. All reports are treated confidentially. You will not face negative consequences for raising a genuine concern in good faith.

7. CONSEQUENCES

EE responds to reported violations as follows:

Severity	Examples	Response
Minor	Forgetting to cancel, one promotional post too many	Friendly reminder from a board member
Moderate	Repeated selling, disrespectful communication, spam	Formal written warning. Second incident leads to suspension.
Serious	Harassment, discrimination, sharing confidential information	Immediate suspension pending review. Possible permanent removal.
Severe	Physical aggression, deliberate harm to EE or its members	Immediate and permanent removal. Potential legal action.

Membership termination for Code of Conduct violations is without refund. The board’s decision is final.

8. BOARD MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS

Board members and volunteers are held to the same standard as all members, and in some respects a higher one. They are responsible for modelling the behaviour this community expects. A board member who violates the Code of Conduct is subject to the same process as any other member.

9. UPDATES TO THIS CODE

EE may update this Code of Conduct as the community grows. Members will be informed of significant changes. The current version is always available at eindhoven-entrepreneurs.nl. Last updated: April 2026.