In order to provide all participants with the opportunity to benefit from SPSP events and activities, SPSP is committed to providing a friendly, safe, supportive and harassment-free environment for all convention attendees and participants, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or other group identity.
This code of conduct outlines SPSP’s expectations for all convention attendees and participants, including all members, speakers, vendors, media representatives, commentators, exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers. Cooperation is expected from everyone and organizers will actively enforce this code throughout this event. Violations are taken seriously.
SPSP expects convention participants to communicate professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually, handling dissent or disagreement with courtesy, dignity and an open mind, being respectful when providing feedback, and being open to alternate points of view. Likewise, when sharing information about the organization or any attendees or participants via public communication channels, SPSP expects participants to share responsibly and clearly distinguish individual opinion from fact.
Alcohol is available at evening social networking events during the convention and may be consumed only by those of legal age. Alcohol at SPSP events will only be distributed by commercial hosts following local and state statutes, which may include limiting consumption.
SPSP does not tolerate harassment of convention attendees or participants in any form. Harassment includes offensive verbal or written comments, and negative behavior, either in real or virtual space, including those which are related to or are based upon gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or other group identity. Harassment also includes deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, and unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention.
Alcohol may not be brought into SPSP-sponsored events nor may alcohol be consumed by those not of legal age. Because excessive alcohol leads to impaired decision-making, SPSP strongly discourages excessive drinking at any point during the convention.
If an attendee or participant, in either real or virtual space, engages in inappropriate, harassing, abusive or destructive behavior or language, the convention organizers and SPSP Leadership will determine and carry out the appropriate course of action, including warning the offender, expulsion from the convention with no refund and/or banning the offender from future SPSP events and activities.
All participants are expected to observe these rules and behaviors in all convention venues, including online venues and convention social events. Convention participants seek to learn, network and enjoy themselves in the process, free from any type of harassment. Please participate responsibly and with respect for the rights of others.
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns about an individual’s conduct, please contact Executive Director Chad Rummel at crummel@spsp.org, (202) 869-3241 or Annie Drinkard, adrinkard@spsp.org, (202) 869-3243. Your concerns will be held as confidential as you would like them to be and you may remain anonymous. If you would like to discuss your concerns during the convention, ask for Chad or Annie at the convention onsite registration desk.