Code of Conduct

Aurora PhotoCenter (APC) is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all who participate in our mission and programming. All participants, including but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, APC staff, board, and committee members, APC members, service providers, and others are expected to abide by the APC Code of Conduct.

This Code of Conduct applies to all Aurora PhotoCenter spaces, including, but not limited to, APC’s gallery + workspace, APC’s online community platforms, online and in-person trainings, social media, conferences, and events. Anyone who violates this Code of Conduct may be sanctioned or expelled from these spaces at the discretion of APC.

Some spaces and events may have additional rules in place, which will be made available to participants in the policy and procedures document related to that event. Participants are responsible for knowing and abiding by these rules. APC reserves the right to change this Code of Conduct without notice.

Expected Behavior

APC expects that community members will:

• Be considerate and respectful to all community members.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior, materials, and speech.
• Speak up if they observe anything at an event that conflicts with this Code of Conduct.

If you are being harassed or feel uncomfortable, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the APC staff immediately.

Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Discriminatory actions or offensive comments related to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender expression or identity, age (18 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, certain arrest or conviction records, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws in its programs and activities.
• Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech, materials, or conduct by any participants of the event and related event activities.
• Unwelcome comments regarding a person’s lifestyle choices and practices, including those related to food, health, parenting, drugs, and employment.
• Deliberate misgendering or use of “dead” or rejected names.
• Unwelcome sexual attention.
• Gratuitous, off-topic sexual images or behavior in spaces where they are not appropriate.
• Any boisterous, lewd, or offensive behavior or language, including but not limited to using sexually explicit or offensive language, materials or conduct, or any language, behavior, or content that contains profanity, obscene gestures, or racial, religious, or ethnic slurs.
• Threats of violence in any format.
• Incitement of violence towards any individual, including encouraging a person to commit suicide or to engage in self-harm.
• Deliberate intimidation or stalking of any kind – in-person or online.
• Harassing, inappropriate, or unauthorized photography or recording, including logging online activity for harassment purposes within or outside the event environment for any use without the prior permission of the individuals or owners of the content therein.
• Publication of any private communication.
• Sustained disruption of discussion including one-on-one communication if requested to cease.
• Failure to obey any rules or regulations of the event or venue/virtual space.
• Failing to stop unacceptable behavior when requested by a Participant or APC.
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior

Any participant whose safety is threatened, violated, or placed in immediate danger is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately. In addition, any participant who feels unsafe or experiences unwelcome conduct, who observes or experiences unacceptable behavior, or who believes there has been a violation of this Policy, is encouraged to contact APC immediately either in-person, or by asking for the program lead and/or meeting and event lead by name, or by sending an e-mail to info@auroraphoto.org. Reports may be anonymous or attributed.

APC will use its best efforts to respond to a participant in no more than 3 hours during event days and one business day when content is available on demand, recognizing that it will not be possible to follow up directly with a participant whose report is anonymous, and that APC may have less ability to investigate fully an anonymous report.