Volt-Age Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct has been prepared using the template from Sustainable Event Guide by the Office of Sustainability and Hospitality Concordia. Volt-Age has adapted the guidelines to fit the unique needs of our organization while ensuring alignment with the ethical standards and practices outlined by the source. All individuals associated with Volt-Age, including but not limited to researchers, committee members, administrative staff, students, and participants in Volt-Age meetings, events, and communications, are expected to adhere to the following guidelines.
Volt-Age is dedicated to providing a harassment-free and inclusive event experience for everyone. Volt-Age does not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Volt-Age takes violations of our Code of Conduct seriously and will respond appropriately. The Code of Conduct is in line with Concordia University’s Code of Rights and Responsibilities (BD-3). For more information on Concordia’s code and related services visit Concordia’s Office of Rights & Responsibilities.
Expected behaviour
All event participants must abide by the following Code of Conduct:
- Participants should always exercise consideration and respect in their speech and actions.
- Participants should always attempt collaboration before conflict.
- Participants should refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech.
- Harassment and discrimination are not acceptable . This includes any verbal, physical, or visual conduct based on sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, race, age, national origin, disability. It also includes inappropriate use of nudity and / or sexual images; deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing, photography or recording; sustained disruption of meetings, discussions, events, or other interactions (in-person or virtual)s; inappropriate physical contact, and any unwelcome sexual attention.
- Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately.
- Participants should always be mindful of their surroundings and of their fellow participants.
- Participants should not make audio or visual recordings of the Virtual Event on their personal device and do not have the permission to distribute audio or visual recordings of the Virtual Event (via social media or any other means).
- Participants should not take or distribute pictures of or copy research posters/presentation materials unless explicit permission is granted.
This Code of Conduct applies to all interactions within Volt-Age, including but not limited to meetings, committee discussions, workshops, online communications, emails, forums, collaborative projects, and both in-person and virtual events. It applies to all staff, researchers, committee members, students, partners, sponsors, speakers, volunteers, and participants.
Consequences of unacceptable behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
Volt-Age reserves the right to refuse participation in meetings, events, or communication, or remove any person from, the event at any time at its sole discretion. This includes, but is not limited to, attendees behaving in a disorderly manner or failing to comply with this Code of Conduct, and the terms and conditions herein.
If a participant engages in unacceptable behaviour, Volt-Age may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including removal from committees, exclusion from communications, or expulsion from ongoing and future events without warning. Breaches of the rules provided for in this Code of Conduct can also result in disqualification from future participation in Volt-Age activities.
If the event organizers deem it an urgent situation involving threatening or violent conduct, where there is reasonable cause to believe that the safety or security of persons may be threatened, local law enforcement will be immediately contacted.
How to report an emergency or a violation of this Code of Conduct
If you experience or witness a life or safety-threatening emergency, where there is reasonable cause to believe that the safety or security of persons may be threatened, please contact 911.
If you wish to report a violation of this Code of Conduct in any Volt-Age setting, please bring it to the attention of the staff available to you or contact volt-age@concordia.ca. If you have a complaint or concern about harassment, discrimination, bullying or any other conduct that violates the Code of Conduct and for which you would like to seek additional support, Volt-Age encourages you to contact the Office of Rights & Responsibilities immediately. You may request that your report remain completely confidential.
Why this Code of Conduct is important
Harassment in professional, academic, and virtual spaces is unfortunately common. By creating a Code of Conduct, Volt-Age wishes to make clear that harassment of anyone for any reason is not acceptable in our meetings, communications, and events. This Code of Conduct sets expectations for professional and respectful interactions, aims to provide reassurance, and encourages people who have had bad experiences at other events to participate in Volt-Age events by ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all.
