GSA EVENTS CODE OF CONDUCT
Approved by GSA Council on 24 September 2016
GSA is a premier, international scientific society whose goals and mission are to advance geoscience research and discovery, to provide service to society and to promote stewardship of Earth, within and beyond the geosciences profession. In fulfilling its goals and mission, and in keeping with its Diversity Position Statement, GSA meetings foster the exchange of scientific ideas, through open and respectful dialogues at oral and poster sessions, field trips, short courses, mentorships and other GSA-supported programs. GSA promotes, provides, expects and endorses a professional and respectful atmosphere and values a diversity of views and opinions.
All registrants, guests, volunteers, exhibitors, GSA staff, service providers, and others in attendance are expected to abide by this GSA Events Code of Conduct, which outlines specific expectations for participants at GSA-supported events and is in addition to the provisions of the GSA Code of Conduct.
Expected Behavior
All registrants, guests, volunteers, exhibitors, GSA staff, service providers, and others in attendance are to:
- Be treated with respect and consideration.
- Be considerate, collegial, and collaborative.
- Communicate openly, with civil attitudes, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
- Avoid personal attacks directed toward other registrants, guests, volunteers, exhibitors, GSA staff, service providers, and others in attendance.
- Obey the rules and policies of the meeting venue, hotels, GSA contracted facility, or any other venue where your meeting badge and GSA affiliation is likely to be displayed.
- Alert meeting security personnel, GSA staff, or GSA leadership if you notice someone in distress, or perceive a potentially dangerous situation, or witness a dangerous situation.
Procedures to be followed in an emergency situation:
- Evaluate the situation and if appropriate call 911 or activate a local fire alarm.
- Do not endanger yourself. Follow the directions of building security, law enforcement, fire department, military personnel, or GSA staff.
- Initiate first aid if appropriate, so trained and necessary.
- Be as observant as possible in order to communicate to emergency staff.
Unacceptable Behavior includes but is not limited to
- Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination.
- Physical or verbal abuse of any registrant, guest, volunteer, exhibitor, GSA staff, service provider, or other attendee.
- Disruption of presentations at oral or poster sessions, in the exhibit hall, on field trips, or at other events organized by GSA at the meeting venue, hotels, or other GSA-contracted facilities.
- Audio and video recording, or taking images of an individual’s oral presentation without the presenters’ permission, is expressly forbidden. Images of posters taken without permission are not allowed. Images of posters may be taken with the explicit consent of the presenter, and images may be acquired only in the presence of the presenter.
Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to:
- Verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin or any other identified characteristic outlined in the GSA Diversity Position Statement .
- Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations.
- Intentional, uninvited physical contact of any form.
- Threats (implied or real) of, physical, professional or financial harm.
- Stalking registrants, guests, volunteers, exhibitors, GSA staff, service providers, or others in attendance.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
- Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to immediately cease and desist.
- GSA staff, leadership, security, or law enforcement personnel shall take action(s) deemed necessary and appropriate. Actions may include immediate removal from the meeting or field trip without warning or refund.
- GSA reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future GSA meeting or other GSA-sponsored event.
Reporting Unacceptable Behavior
If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please immediately notify a GSA staff member on-site (in-person, by e-mail, or by phone) or GSA member with a designated leadership position (i.e. GSA President, GSA Councilor, GSA Section Officer, GSA field trip leader). You may also email GSA at gsaeventscode@gmail.com.
Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety, or a criminal act is expected to contact 911. Those witnessing a potential criminal act should also take actions necessary to maintain their own personal safety.