Updated June 2021

OrigamiUSA holds or supports several events over the course of a year, e.g., Annual Convention, Pacific Coast Origami Convention (PCOC), Special Sessions classes, Origami Connect, and more. Our events bring together a diverse community of artists, crafters, mathematicians, scientists, engineers, and educators to share all aspects of origami. We value the participation of each participant and want all attendees to have a welcoming, friendly, enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Accordingly, all attendees are expected to show respect and courtesy to other attendees throughout the meeting and at all events, including online.

To make clear what is expected, all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, organizers and volunteers at all OrigamiUSA events are required to conform to the following Code of Conduct. Organizers will support this code throughout the meeting. By registering for an OrigamiUSA event, you are agreeing to follow our stated Code of Conduct.

Summary

OrigamiUSA is dedicated to providing a positive event experience for everyone. We expect respectful treatment of everyone at every OrigamiUSA event. All communication and behavior should be appropriate for people of all ages and of all backgrounds.

Our principles:

  • Be kind; be respectful; be civil.
  • Act and interact with others only in ways that improve the event and make it a more interesting place for everyone.
  • Safety and security are a top priority.
  • All participants are responsible for their own behavior.
  • Harassment, bullying, and insulting/exclusionary jokes are never acceptable at OrigamiUSA events.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in behavior that violates this code of conduct, OrigamiUSA organizers will take an action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the event with no refund.

Harassment

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • offensive communication related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, and age.
  • use of sexist, racist, ableist, or any other discriminatory or exclusionary language.
  • sexual images in public spaces
  • deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
  • harassing photography or recording
  • sustained disruption of talks or other event
  • inappropriate physical conduct
  • unwelcome sexual attention
  • advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

Online Events

All of the above also applies to online events.

In addition, the following behavior is not acceptable for online events:

  • In the chat, Q&A, or other written forms of communication:
    • using ALL CAPITAL letters, which is considered shouting.
    • Repeating a comment or question many times in a row.
    • Making inappropriate or disparaging comments about the presenters, moderators or attendees.
    • Comments which do not pertain to the topic, class or event.
  • Turning on your camera and/or microphone when not asked to do so.

If you do not comply with the code of conduct and behaviors acceptable in online venues, you will be given one warning from the Moderator. If your behavior does not change you will be removed from the event without a refund. The recording of the event will still be made available to you.

Responding to and Reporting Harassment

At Online Events

  • If you feel uncomfortable because of someone else at the event, send a private message to the Moderator.
  • If you feel uncomfortable because of the Moderator, send a private message to another OrigamiUSA official at the event.
  • If there is no moderator or OrigamiUSA official available, Code of Conduct violations can be reported via email to code-of-conduct [at] origamiusa.org and someone will get back to you within 24 hours. If you would like to speak with someone about your issue, please include your phone number in the email and the best time to contact you.

At In-Person Events

If you experience or see a Code of Conduct violation, follow these steps:

  • Let the person know that what was done was not appropriate and ask the individual to stop the behavior, if you feel comfortable doing so. That person should immediately stop the behavior and correct the issue.
  • If this does not happen, or if you are uncomfortable speaking up, or if you want to talk to someone about the incident, contact an OrigamiUSA representative as soon as possible.
  • When reporting the event, try to gather as much information as available, but do not interview people about the incident. The staff member will assist you in writing the report/collecting information. When reporting an incident it will be helpful to have the following information:
    • Identifying information of the participant doing the harassing. Even if you do not want to identify the violator, we invite you to talk with us.
    • A description of the harassing behavior.
    • The approximate time of the behavior.
    • The circumstances surrounding the incident.
    • Other people involved in the incident.
  • At any event, we hope you will feel welcome to talk with any OrigamiUSA official, including those in charge of the event you are attending. At some of our bigger events, such as Annual Convention or PCOC, we will designate representatives who will be prepared to speak with you should the need arise.
  • Whenever there are designated representatives for an event, their names and contact information will be posted on the event webpages. Each person will be prepared to listen to you with care and concern, and to help you decide how to proceed. Each one will be well informed about our code of conduct policy and guide for handling harassment at OrigamiUSA events. Any of these representatives will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local police or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the convention. We value your attendance at all of our events.
  • All reports are confidential.
  • If you feel your safety is in jeopardy, calling 911 is your right. If you do not have a mobile phone, ask a helper.

Attributions/Resources

This Code of Conduct was based on JSConf EU, CSSConf/JSConf AU, The Geek Feminism wiki, the work of Valerie Aurora, WeAllJS, 7OSME (7th Origami, Science, Mathematics, and Education conference), and Conference Code of Conduct.