The Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC) conference and AGM is dedicated to providing a welcoming, safe, and harassment-free environment for all participants. FPBC expects all conference participants to adhere to the FPBC Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct during all interactions with other conference participants.

FPBC will not tolerate any form of bullying, aggressive behaviour, harassment, or discrimination in either the in-person or online versions of the conference or AGM.

Our goal is to host a conference and AGM that are as inclusive as possible for our attendees, regardless of gender, sexual orientation/identity, race/ethnicity, religion, employment status, or status within professional forestry. We believe and encourage the free expression and exchange of ideas and opinions in a mutually respectful manner that is positive and productive for all.

All participants are required to agree with the following Standards of Behaviour to help ensure a respectful and safe environment for everybody. These standards will be enforced throughout the event and anyone engaging in unacceptable behaviour will be expelled from the conference.

Expected Behavior

• Behaving in a courteous and professional manner.
• Treating all participants with respect, dignity, and consideration, in the spirit of valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
• Being considerate, respectful, and collaborative in your communication and actions.
• Discussing differences and critiquing ideas in a non-confrontational manner with due regard for the viewpoints of others.
• Refraining from demeaning, discriminatory, bullying, or harassing behavior and speech.
• Reporting suspected inappropriate behaviors directed at yourself or others.
• Respecting the rules, policies, and property of FPBC, conference speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and the venue.
• Complying with all applicable laws and regulations

Prohibited Behavior

• Bullying and harassment — defined for purposes of this Code to include abusive, unwelcome, or offensive verbal, visual, or physical contact directed at any participant, including conduct, comments, or images that a person would reasonably find offensive, demeaning, or hostile. This applies to questions posed online during any conference session.
• Sexual harassment — defined for purposes of this Code to include unwelcome, unsolicited, and unreciprocated sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or gesture of a sexual nature that has or that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to offend, humiliate, or intimidate another person.
• Exhibiting behavior that is unruly or disruptive, or that endangers the health or safety of yourself or others.
• Discriminatory conduct based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, national origin, disability, religion, marital status, political affinity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Deliberate intimidation, threatening, stalking, or following.
• Sustained disruption of portions of the conference or event.
• Invasion of privacy.
• Actual or threatened pushing, shoving, or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person.
• Possession or use of a weapon or any other item in a way that may cause danger to others.
• Destruction, theft, dismantlement, defacement, abuse, or intentional misuse of any FPBC or-contracted venues, property, equipment, signage, or supplies
• Failure to comply with directions of FPBC staff or venue personnel regarding operations or emergency response procedures.
• Retaliation against participants for reporting activity that they reasonably believed to be in violation of this Code.
• Knowingly and falsely reporting violations of this Code in bad faith.
• Accessing restricted or ticketed areas without a proper ticket, pass and/or credential; misusing tickets, passes and/or credentials; presenting a false identification; or permitting another person to falsely present the Participant’s identification as their own.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour

Participants asked to stop unacceptable behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Participants who engage in unacceptable behaviour will be expelled from the conference and related activities without a refund and/or banned from future events at the discretion of FPBC.

If You Experience or Witness Unacceptable Behaviour

We need your help to keep the conference community safe, accountable, and responsible. If you experience or witness any forms of unacceptable behaviour, please bring your concerns to the immediate attention of FPBC staff or email us at fpbc@evoque.ca