Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
ABRF members are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct in all ABRF or ABRF-sanctioned activities, including those in-person or online, as well as in written and verbal communication.
- 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.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish minimum expectations of behavior for participants, guests, staff, speakers, officers, directors, committee chairs and members, other volunteers, sponsors, and other event attendees at all ABRF or ABRF-sanctioned activities.
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 incident report form or email the ABRF Code of Conduct Committee* as soon as possible. Additional information on the incident review process is listed below.
*ABRF Code of Conduct Committee to be formed by ABRF Executive Board on an annual basis, and will include (at a minimum): ABRF President, CAB Chair, and two additional ABRF members
Unacceptable Behavior is defined as:
ABRF has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment, by participants at ABRF events. This includes:
- 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
- Unwanted or harassing photography, including failing or refusing to stop photographing/recording upon explicit request or appearance of discomfort (turning away or covering one’s face, etc)
- Photographing slides of oral presentations or posters, or recording of scientific and other sessions when notice is given that speakers do not consent to have such photographs or videos made
- 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
- 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.