Need Help?

Contact Affect staff via coc@affectconf.com or text the number provided in our emails/opening slides.

Scope

All attendees, speakers, sponsors, and staff at Affect are required to adhere to the following code of conduct, whether they're at the conference venue or conference-related social events. Organizers and staff will enforce this code throughout the event.

This code of conduct and its related procedures may also apply to unacceptable behavior occurring outside the scope of conference activities when such behavior has the potential to adversely affect the safety and well-being of Affect's participants.

Expectations

At Affect, we ask that everyone:

• Exercise consideration and respect in speech and actions
• Be mindful of surroundings and fellow participants
• Criticize ideas and behaviors before people

Affect does not tolerate harassment in any form. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender identity and expression, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any part of Affect, including talks, parties, Twitter, and other online media. EXCEPTION: discussion or images related to sex, pornography, discriminatory language, or similar is welcome if it meets all of the following criteria: (a) the organizers have specifically granted permission in writing, (b) it is necessary to the topic of discussion and no alternative exists, (c) it is presented in a respectful manner, especially towards marginalized communities, (d) attendees are warned in advance in the program and respectfully given ample warning and opportunity to leave beforehand. This exception specifically does not allow use of gratuitous sexual images as attention-getting devices or unnecessary examples.

Sponsors and staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualised clothing/uniforms/costumes or otherwise create a sexualised environment.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

No weapons are allowed at conference venues, including but not limited to explosives (including fireworks), guns, and large knives such as those used for hunting or display, as well as any other item used for the purpose of causing injury or harm to others. Anyone seen in possession of one of these items will be asked to leave immediately, and will only be allowed to return without the weapon. Attendees are further expected to comply with all state and local laws on this matter.

Photo and recording policy

We will have colored lanyards for attendees to indicate their comfort level with being photographed and/or recorded.

• Black lanyards: fine to photograph/record
• Yellow lanyards: please ask beforehand
• Red lanyards: do not photograph or record me

When in doubt, please ask before taking photographs or recording attendees. We ask that you refrain from flash photography, as people in our audience could be prone to photosensitivity.

Getting help

Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct, even if they seem inconsequential. You can send an email, text, or contact a member of conference staff in person. Conference staff will be identifiable via their STAFF badges.

Upon the participant's request, conference staff will be happy to help provide escorts, contact venue security or local law enforcement, or otherwise ensure their safety for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance.

Attribution

This code of conduct was adapted on top of work from the Citizen Code of Conduct, Geek Feminism wiki, Coral Project, and Conference Code of Conduct. It is distributed under a Creative Commons SA license.