NTXB Grievance Process
The NTXB, LLC board (NTXB or board) will hear and respond to incidents occurring at official NTXB-sponsored events as well as incidents at any other time or place that are a concern to community members.
NTXB does not intend for this process to be an alternative forum for justice. It does not have the power to make things right, repair damage or reverse trauma. NTXB’s goals for this process are to foster a safer environment for community members at sponsored events, limit NTXB’s liability, and ensure the sustainability of Myschievia.
What can I do about an incident?
In general, NTXB encourages community members to work things out on their own to each person’s satisfaction. If there’s a sound camp you think is too loud, ask them to turn it down. If there’s a boundary dispute with a neighboring theme camp, cooperate to resolve it and share space.
There are some problems people can’t work out on their own. As one of our founding principles of radical inclusion, an outcome where one community member backs away from the community out of fear that a certain person may be there is not acceptable.
If you are having a disagreement or conflict during Myschievia that you aren’t able to work out on your own or don’t feel comfortable addressing on your own, find a Ranger. Rangers circulate through Myschievia for the duration of the event, and there’s almost always one at Safety HQ.
If you are the victim of a crime during the event and you feel that your safety is at risk or has already been violated, find a Ranger or other person with a 2-way radio and tell them “I need to talk to an NTXB board member now.” Safety HQ is always staffed with volunteers who can reach an NTXB member and you can wait there for them.
If you are the victim of a crime during the event, you also have the option of going directly to law enforcement. If you choose this route, the event organizers would appreciate a heads-up, and a NTXB member may be able to get law enforcement on the scene more quickly if you go through them.
You can, of course, avail yourself of any other resources that are at your disposal, including friends, campmates, Sanctuary volunteers, etc.
If you are the victim of a crime outside the event and you are concerned that the perpetrator will be present at Myschievia or other NTXB-sponsored events, contact the NTXB, LLC at [email protected].
At times, there might be behaviors from individuals or groups that some people find offensive within the community. While these actions may not be criminal or targeted towards a specific person, addressing them as a community could prove to be more effective in finding a solution.
How do I report an incident?
During Myschievia, most interpersonal incidents should be reported to Rangers, who roam the event 24 hours a day and are stationed at Safety HQ. Incidents where personal safety is at risk or has been violated should be immediately reported to an NTXB member via anyone with a 2-way radio. A board member (typically the one on shift) will meet with you at the earliest opportunity to work with you to fill out a report. NTXB encourages people to report these incidents right away, but recognizes that doing so can be difficult. Trained Ranger and Sanctuary volunteers are onsite and available to help.
Outside of Myschievia, reports can be made directly to NTXB by e-mail at [email protected]. Please provide an account of the incident, contact information of the reporter, with as much information as possible, along with whatever supporting documentation you might have (photographs, police reports, protective orders, statements from any witnesses, etc).
How will NTXB handle my report?
For incidents that happen during and are reported during Myschievia, the members of NTXB will typically meet to discuss the case and decide on a course of action by consensus. They will locate the subject of the report and will carry out that course of action. If something happens at Myschievia, try to report it during Myschievia if at all possible, in order to take advantage of the available organizational resources (Rangers, Sanctuary, MEATs, NTXB members).
NTXB may have some follow-up questions for the reporter and could suggest meeting in person or over the phone to discuss the incident further. NTXB will maintain ongoing communication, usually designating one member from NTXB as the main point of contact for the case.
NTXB may get in touch with the subject of the report, depending on the circumstances, and attempt to meet in person or talk on the phone to hear their side of the story. There have been situations where finding the subject of the report or setting up an appointment to talk to them has taken a long time.
NTXB will then deliberate, decide and follow through with a course of action.
What kind of actions will NTXB take?
NTXB will inquire with the reporter about their desired outcome, and will consider those preferences when determining the final decision.
NTXB has very few tools at its disposal for dealing with people who pose a threat to the community.
The following are actions NTXB can take.
Expulsion from an event
Ban from volunteering for certain departments
Ban from any leadership positions
Ban from any NTXB events
When expulsion happens from an event a formal incident will be on file and will be reviewed after the event to see if a ban of any kind is needed.
A ban from volunteering for certain departments would result in the participant being unable to volunteer for that department but would still be able to volunteer for others.
A ban from any leadership position would result in the participant being able to volunteer for a non leadership shift. So you could still volunteer to be a zone guide but not Zoning Lead.
Ban from any NTXB events will result in a ban from any and all official NTXB events including town halls, META build days, work weekends, inventory days, etc etc. This level of ban is permanent. Lifting a banputs the LLC at risk of a repeat incident in which the LLC assumes that liability, which we will not do.
NTXB can refuse to allow someone to volunteer in certain roles, or in any role, without denying them entry.
NTXB can have a serious talk with the subject of the report about how their behavior affected others and the community as a whole.
What will NTXB not do?
NTXB will not act on secondhand reports alone: it needs a firsthand report to take action.
NTXB will not provide “ban lists” to other burn events or to the public.
NTXB will not regard posts or comments on social media as reports. If you hear or read of an incident on social media, please encourage the affected parties to contact us directly if they want NTXB involved in a resolution.
NTXB will not publicly discuss the actions that it took in a case, or that there was a case at all. The one exception is that if a party in the case discusses it publicly, NTXB may offer public clarifications.
NTXB does not have the power to exclude a person from the burner community at large, public spaces where the community gathers or private, non-sponsored community events (parties, private fundraisers, etc.).
What should I do if I witness an incident?
If you directly witness an interpersonal incident that you think warrants reporting, encourage the individual involved to report it, or remind them that this is an option. But it is up to them to decide if and when to report it. In the meantime, you can report it yourself.
If an interaction has left a community member in distress or injured, and they’re not being attended to or supported by others, we recommend that you:
Ask if they are OK and offer to help,
Encourage them to go / offer to escort them to
1) their camp and fellow campmates
2) Safety HQ where trained volunteers can assist.
Only leave someone in distress alone if that's what they explicitly want. Sometimes, we just need some time to process things by ourselves.
If they are clearly physically injured and are refusing assistance, notify someone with a radio so that Safety volunteers can make an assessment.
If you witness what you believe is a crime against a community member—theft, assault, destruction of property, or trespassing by a gatecrasher (this puts the entire event at risk)—immediately report it directly to any volunteer with a two-way radio, and ask to speak to an NTXB Member..
What if I need to make a report about a Ranger?
If you do not feel comfortable making a report about one Ranger to another Ranger, talk to a Sanctuary volunteer instead. They are located at Safety HQ, and are often circulating through the event as well. Alternatively, you can make a report to NTXB: locate any volunteer with a two-way radio and ask them to contact a NTXB board member for you.
What if I need to make a report about a NTXB board member?
Contact a different NTXB member directly; you can find a list of NTXB members and their contact information on …. . If you do not feel comfortable approaching any NTXB member directly, have someone contact NTXB on your behalf.
Final notes
This is a living document and will change over time. If you still have questions that aren’t answered here, please contact NTXB LLC at [email protected]
Revised 20 APR 2024
Approved: 09 SEP 2024