Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
ABRF is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants. All participants, including, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct. This Policy applies to all ABRF meetings and events, including those sponsored by organizations other than ABRF but held in conjunction with ABRF events, on public or private platforms. This includes:
- Exercising consideration and respect in your speech and actions
- Refraining from demeaning, discriminatory, harassing behavior and speech
- Being mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants
- Alerting ABRF leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct, even if they seem inconsequential.
If you feel you are being subjected to, or notice that someone else is being subjected to, behavior that violates this code of conduct, complete the online report form as soon as possible.
All reports will be kept confidential.
ABRF has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, ABRF encourages you to complete the report form and inform either the ABRF Executive Director (abrf@abrf.org) or the ABRF President (president@abrf.org) so that we can take the appropriate action.
Unacceptable Behavior is defined as:
- Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, demeaning, speech and/or actions by any participant at all ABRF related events.
- Harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, or other personal characteristics
- Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces, communication with another ABRF member, email, text, or social media.
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Harassing photography
- Violating the rules and regulations of the conference hotel
- Sustained disruption of scientific sessions or other events
- Unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact
- Physical assault (including unwelcome touch or groping)
- Real or implied threat of physical harm
- Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm
Examples of verbal abuse include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, service provider, or other meeting guest.
Disruption of presentations during sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by ABRF. All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderator and any ABRF virtual event staff.
Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services. ABRF reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
ABRF reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from any event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and ABRF reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future event, virtually or in person.