The California Association of Museums (CAM) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and networking experience for everyone. This Code of Conduct sets expectations for all CAM program participants, provides steps to report incidents, and lists possible consequences for would-be violators. CAM does not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form.
CAM respects, values and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. Bringing diverse individuals together through CAM programs allows the museum field to collectively and more effectively address the issues that face our communities. CAM strives to ensure that our program participants have experiences that reinforce these values.
What you can expect when attending a CAM program:
At CAM programs, participants—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion—can expect the event space and conference experience to be safe, inclusive, and free of harassment.
Compliance with this Code of Conduct is expected from all program participants, including, but not limited to attendees, speakers, staff, organizers, contractors, volunteers, scholars, exhibitors, and sponsors.
Behaviors NOT tolerated:
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments or actions that minimize a person’s lived experiences[i], identity, or safety
- Deliberate misgendering or use of “dead”[ii] or rejected names[iii]
- Deliberate “outing” of any person’s lived experiences or identity without their consent
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Physical contact without consent or after a request to stop
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking of any kind – in person or online
- Collection or distribution of harassing photography or recordings
- Threats or acts of violence
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
Discrimination/Harassment is not:
- Feeling persecuted for your social privilege
- ‘Reverse’ -isms, including ‘reverse racism,’ ‘reverse sexism,’ and ‘cisphobia’
- Reasonable communication of boundaries, such as “leave me alone,” “go away,” or “I’m not discussing this with you.”
- Refusal to explain or debate social justice issues when the person being asked is put in a defensive position based on their lived experience, personal identity, or safety
- Communication in a ‘tone’ you don’t find congenial
- Discussion of sensitive topics
- Criticizing racist, sexist, cissexist, or otherwise oppressive behavior or assumptions
How do I report an incident?
If you have been involved in or witnessed an incident during the CAM conference that you believe violates this Code of Conduct, you can report it in two ways:
- In person: by making contact with a CAM staff member, board member, or onsite volunteer
- Email: by emailing [email protected]
If you need immediate emergency assistance, please call 911.
Consequences:
This Code of Conduct is in place to protect the safety of all program participants. Individuals asked to stop any harassing or discriminatory behavior are expected to comply immediately. CAM staff and board members may take action to redress anything that disrupts the event or makes the environment unsafe for participants. Anyone engaging in any of the behaviors outlined as harassment above may be subject to expulsion with no refund from the program and related events and/or may be barred from future events.