Code of Conduct
STD Engage 2020 Virtual Meeting Code of Conduct
STD Engage is the place where public health STD programs, clinicians and researchers, DIS, policymakers, and community activists come together to network, share best practices, and discuss the latest trends in our field. With a focus on program implementation, STD Engage helps attendees translate evidence-based practices and scientific advances into prevention and care programs that work for real people in real communities. Attended by over 600 conference participants from every corner of the U.S., STD Engage features exciting plenaries with national thought leaders, hands-on workshops, and immersive and fun networking events designed to maximize interactions between conference attendees and industry partners.
All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, the STD Engage Planning Committee, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Virtual Programs Code of Conduct and behave with common courtesy and civility; conduct themselves in a businesslike, ethical, and appropriate manner; and avoid engaging in or facilitating any discriminatory or harassing behavior.. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds.
Examples of encouraged behavior that contributes to a positive environment include:
- Using welcoming and inclusive language
- Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
- Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
- Focusing on what is best for everyone at the event
- Showing empathy towards other participants
Unacceptable Behavior is defined as:
- Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
- Verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, STD Engage Planning Committee member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
- 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, STD Engage planning committee, service provider, or other meeting guest.
- Disruption of presentations during sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by the STD Engage throughout the virtual meeting. All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderator and any the STD Engage virtual event staff.
- Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services. the STD Engage reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
- Participants should not copy or take screen shots of Q&A or any chat room activity that takes place in the virtual space.
STD Engage 2020 has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings. This Policy applies to all STD Engage meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than STD Engage but held in conjunction with STD Engage events, on public or private platforms, as well as social media channels.
STD Engage 2020 reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and STD Engage reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting, virtually or in person.
STD Engage 2020 is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants. If you believe you’ve experienced or observed a violation of this Code of Conduct, NCSD asks that you inform Shameka Jennings at sjennings@ncsddc.org so that we can take the appropriate action.
Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We are expecting cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody: Be excellent to each other, show empathy, and help make this a safe space to explore tangible, equitable solutions. Thank you for helping to make this a welcoming, friendly space for all.
