Incident Report for Violations of NCFR's Code of Conduct

Introduction

NCFR is committed to providing:

• A safe and collegial meeting environment that fosters open dialogue and the free expression of ideas without harassment, discrimination, and hostile conduct.
• Equal opportunity and treatment for all participants, regardless of
  • Ability and disability
  • Age
  • Bilingualism and multiculturalism/English language learners
  • Body size and condition
  • Customs and traditions
  • Educational, disciplinary, or career status
  • Ethnicity, race, national origin, or cultural identity
  • Gender, gender identity, and gender expression
  • Geographical background and location
  • Indigenous or immigration status or identity
  • Marital status, relational status (including singlehood), and family structure or identity
  • Objective and subjective worldviews and standpoints
  • Political ideologies and affiliations
  • Religion/no religion, spirituality and affiliations, and faith
  • Sexual orientation, identities, and expressions
  • Socioeconomic status, residential status, social class, employment, and national service

This same commitment is expected of all participants in the NCFR Annual Conference.

"Participant" refers to anyone present at the NCFR Annual Conference, including NCFR staff, contractors, vendors, exhibitors, venue staff, presenters, visitors, and attendees, regardless of registration status.

Expected behavior

• We expect all participants to abide by this Code of Conduct in all venues during conference sessions, meetings, ancillary events, official and unofficial social gatherings, as well as online forums and on social media.
• Exercise consideration in your speech and actions.
• Maintain civil and respectful dialogue and discussion.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
• Alert hotel security if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this policy.

Unacceptable behaviors

• Intimidating, harassing, bullying, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, demeaning speech or actions, or harmful criticism by any participant at all related events and in one-on-one communications carried out in the context of the annual conference.
• Harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, appearance, or other personal characteristics as referenced above.
• Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces. In formal presentations, sexual language or imagery in the context of professional study may not constitute harassment; presenters are requested to inform participants about the inclusion of sexual content in their presentation.
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
• Harassing photography or recording
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events
• Unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact
• Physical assault (including unwelcome touch)
• Real or implied threat of physical harm
• Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm

Additional considerations

• Harassment committed in a joking manner still constitutes unacceptable behavior. Sexist, heterosexist, racist, and other discriminatory or exclusionary jokes can be offensive to those around you.
• Excessive swearing and offensive jokes are not appropriate during conference sessions.
• Retaliation for reporting harassment is a violation of the Code of Conduct.
• Reporting harassment in bad faith is a violation of the Code of Conduct.

Social media and e-communications

Defamatory, abusive, profane, threatening, or offensive comments or posts are considered unacceptable and can result in denial of access and further sanctions as described above.

Weapons policy

Carrying or displaying weapons of any kind, including firearms, is not permitted in the NCFR conference meeting space and meeting rooms. Hotel security will be notified should someone be found carrying a weapon.

Conference Registration

• Registered conference attendees must pick up their own registration materials. No exceptions.
• Only registered badged attendees are allowed to attend NCFR conference sessions.

Consequences of unacceptable behavior

Participants who engage in unacceptable behaviors are subject to immediate removal from the event, dismissal from the conference, and further sanctions, including being prohibited from attending future conferences.

Reporting harassment or unacceptable behavior

If there is a threat to personal security, excessive intimidation or harassment, or someone engaging in the previously noted unacceptable behaviors during the conference, immediately seek assistance from hotel security by dialing 817-350-4097 from a cell phone. You may dial 4097 from your individual hotel room. Hotel security will notify NCFR staff. For emergencies, please call 911 first followed by or in conjunction with a call to 817-350-4097 from a cell phone to notify hotel staff.  

If you experience or witness a threat to personal security, excessive intimidation or harassment outside of the hotel, please contact local police (911).

Threatening behaviors, harassment, bullying, intimidation, or other unacceptable behaviors should be reported. Any incidents not reported during the conference to hotel security may be reported to NCFR staff during or after the conference by completing an Incident Report for Violations of NCFR's Code of Conduct.

All complaints will be treated seriously and responded to promptly.

Written reports

Any participant who is subjected to or witnesses an incident of harassment or abusive behavior may file a written report. Reports should include identification of the offender (or description); behaviors or actions by that person; circumstances around the incident; day, time, session; and others present. All written reports are kept confidential. These details are necessary to allow for proper follow-up. Without proper details, it may not be possible to follow-up on the report.

Grievances

A participant who believes he or she was falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct should notify the executive director with a concise description of the grievance. All grievances will be handled in accordance with existing governing policies as adopted by the Board of Directors.

Contact information

NCFR
661 LaSalle Street, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55114
Email
888-781-9331

Incident Report for Violations of NCFR's Code of Conduct