BSG Events and Meetings Code of Conduct

The purpose of this policy is to outline the expected standards of conduct of delegates participating in BSG events and meetings. The BSG is committed to providing a safe environment for everyone. All staff, members, event attendees and sponsors are required to follow this Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct
The BSG will not tolerate harassment in any form. All delegates are expected to adhere to the following key principles during an in-person and virtual event:

• Delegates must behave professionally – harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments are inappropriate. Harassment includes sustained disruption, inappropriate physical contact, intimidation, stalking, and photography or recording of an individual without consent.
• All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people from many different backgrounds. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate.
• Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other delegates.
• Delegates are expected to register in advance and arrive in good time for the start of events and may not be admitted after the start time or if they have not registered.
• Delegates should not impersonate another person.
• For virtual events, delegates should not use the chat inappropriately, including expletives, posting the same message across the same chat or multiple chats, sharing links about commercial products/services, or verbally attacking a speaker or delegate.

Breach of the Code of Conduct
Anyone who wishes to report a violation of this Code of Conduct is asked to speak, in confidence, to a BSG staff member, or via email to events@bsg.org.uk. Any violation will result in the BSG taking appropriate action against the individual(s) concerned:

• Delegates asked to stop any inappropriate behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Anyone violating these rules may be asked to leave an event without a refund.
• For virtual events, inappropriate messages may be deleted. The delegate will be sent a private message informing them why it has been deleted and will be given a warning. If the delegate continues to send inappropriate messages they will be removed from the event. This will be down to the discretion of the moderator. The delegate will be informed via email why they’ve been removed from the event.
• The BSG reserves the right to rescind membership for breaches of this code.
• Legal action may be considered if a criminal offence is suspected and, if appropriate, the matter may be reported to the Police.

 
Health and Safety

• Delegates have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety when attending events and have a responsibility to ensure the safety of others if affected by their own activities.
• Delegates are not permitted to tamper or adjust any equipment or fixtures without express permission from the organisers.
• Delegates are not permitted to enter any restricted area.
• Delegates will have access to a cloakroom space at in-person events but are solely responsible for their own belongings.
• Delegates are expected to consume alcohol responsibly, and only when permitted.
• Delegates are not permitted to bring any food or alcohol from outside the premises to an event unless they have permission from the organisers.
• The BSG accepts no responsibility for any injury or death while attending a BSG event, unless such injury or death was occasioned by the negligence of the BSG.
• Anyone under the age of 18 must have permission to attend, and be supervised by an adult.
• Delegates are not permitted to make use of equipment or facilities for other purposes.
• The BSG will investigate suspicious activity or if registration details appear fraudulent.