2022 Conference

 

Code of Conduct

 

NEMA Event Philosophy

The NEMA staff, board, and PAG chairs are proud of our role in connecting the varied and diverse individuals, organizations, institutions, and ideas that make up the museum field in New England. The NEMA staff and board appreciate all our colleagues who offer their time and expertise to create an informative, thought-provoking conference, and thank all of you who contribute to making the NEMA community a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful place for all.

We believe that the NEMA conference is a place to air new ideas to old problems and fresh takes to new issues, in addition to a solid framework of the essentials and best practices in our field. To that end, we do not censor what is said at any panel or session, so long as speakers abide by our code of conduct. We aspire to be a solutions-focused, safe space. All opinions expressed by speakers are their own. Participation in a NEMA event does not imply endorsement of those opinions by the NEMA board or staff.

If you have issues with session content or a speaker’s presentation, please make those thoughts known in session evaluations. If you believe that a session or speaker has violated NEMA’s code of conduct, please follow the procedure for reporting outlined below.


Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is for all NEMA events and outlines our expectations for participant behavior as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior. We have a few ground rules to which we ask all sponsors, volunteers, speakers, attendees, media, vendors, and other participants to adhere.

As we work together as a sector towards inclusion, we expect and encourage our attendees to help us create a safe and positive experience for everyone by agreeing to the following:

  • Every NEMA member and program participant matters (myself included). Therefore, I will conduct myself professionally and be kind, and have compassion.
  • I will be respectful and thoughtful, and practice active listening and listen to understand. Some perspectives may be uncomfortable to hear, but in embracing discomfort, I will be aware of biases and assumptions. I will not seek to give or take offense for the sake of argument.
  • NEMA encourages civil discourse and the free exploration of competing ideas and concepts – with a fundamental respect for the rights, dignity, and value of all persons.
  • NEMA staff will be responsive to you in any situation where you feel uncomfortable or endangered. We will support your positive experience in our community to the best of our ability.

This Code of Conduct applies to all NEMA events both in person and online. We expect all conference and events participants to abide by this code of conduct at all venues and NEMA events.

This Code of Conduct is in place to protect the safety of all attendees. Targeted contact, language, or imagery of a violent, threatening, sexual, discriminatory, demeaning, or disruptive nature is not appropriate for any NEMA event, including talks, workshops, gatherings, Twitter, and other online media.

Attendees asked to stop any discriminatory or harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately, and may be asked to leave. Individuals expelled due to violating this Code of Conduct will not be eligible for a refund or other compensation. If appropriate, NEMA will follow procedures for reporting hate crimes, if they occur.

If you believe you have observed or experienced a violation of this Code of Conduct, or if you have a concern about discrimination, bullying, or other harassment, please tell a NEMA staff member immediately. 

You can also email nema@nemanet.org or report online here. All reports will be handled in the strictest confidence.

All violations of the law should be reported to local law enforcement. For emergencies, immediately dial 9-1-1.

 

Attributions & Site sources

This Code of Conduct was inspired by the work of many other professional organizations including: The Association of Science-Technology Centers, the National Council on Public History, Design Portland, Museum Association (UK), the American Library Association, the Association of Canadian Archivists, the Oral History Association, and Geek Feminism.