Heartland Code of Conduct
Be Excellent to Each Other
We value the dignity, diversity, and inclusion of everyone with whom we interact. Our safety and anti-harassment policies are critical to ensuring these core values guide what we do and say. All participants at our events are required to adhere to our code of conduct, as described below. This includes booksellers, staff, exhibitors, speakers/presenters, guests, sponsors, volunteers, and all affiliated attendees.
The Heartland Fall Forum (hosted by the Midwest independent Booksellers Association and the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association), is committed to a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of race, sex, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity, and religion. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or other unwelcome or unlawful behavior on the basis of any of these characteristics.
Behaviors that violate this policy include, but are not limited to:
Heartland expects all event participants to follow established rules throughout official event offerings and related social gatherings.
We take any violation of this policy seriously. Accordingly, participants who violate this policy may, in the judgment and discretion of Heartland, be asked to stop; may be expelled from an event, without refund if applicable; may be prevented from attending future events; and may have membership and future participation privileges revoked.
If you are being harassed, observe someone else being harassed, or have concerns about potential violations of this policy, please notify Heartland event organizers immediately by visiting a staff or board member. If an appropriate representative is not readily available, a special text number for such communications will be publicized to attendees at the beginning of our meetings, and we will take appropriate action in response to protect anyone affected by violations of this policy.
We value the dignity, diversity, and inclusion of everyone with whom we interact. Our safety and anti-harassment policies are critical to ensuring these core values guide what we do and say. All participants at our events are required to adhere to our code of conduct, as described below. This includes booksellers, staff, exhibitors, speakers/presenters, guests, sponsors, volunteers, and all affiliated attendees.
The Heartland Fall Forum (hosted by the Midwest independent Booksellers Association and the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association), is committed to a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of race, sex, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity, and religion. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or other unwelcome or unlawful behavior on the basis of any of these characteristics.
Behaviors that violate this policy include, but are not limited to:
- Offensive verbal comments related to any protected category above
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Sexual propositions and/or unwelcome sexual attention
- Off-color or obscene jokes, remarks, or gestures
- Any other words or conduct of a sexual nature that makes the recipient or observer uncomfortable
- Intimidation, stalking, or following
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Unwelcome photography or recording
Heartland expects all event participants to follow established rules throughout official event offerings and related social gatherings.
We take any violation of this policy seriously. Accordingly, participants who violate this policy may, in the judgment and discretion of Heartland, be asked to stop; may be expelled from an event, without refund if applicable; may be prevented from attending future events; and may have membership and future participation privileges revoked.
If you are being harassed, observe someone else being harassed, or have concerns about potential violations of this policy, please notify Heartland event organizers immediately by visiting a staff or board member. If an appropriate representative is not readily available, a special text number for such communications will be publicized to attendees at the beginning of our meetings, and we will take appropriate action in response to protect anyone affected by violations of this policy.
