We intend for SCO-SOC 2025 to foster open, honest and engaging communication of ornithological science. In so doing, we aim to promote equal opportunity and treatment for all participants. To achieve effective communication, we require attendees to conduct themselves in a courteous fashion and respect the intellectual property of our colleagues. We represent the field of ornithology, and it is imperative that we behave as professionals toward all conference participants, including, but not limited to, conference delegates, Council members, conference volunteers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

All forms of communication among conference participants during the meeting are considered within the scope of SCO-SOC 2025 and therefore fall under the Code of Conduct. These include public and private communications, social media posts, direct messages, phone calls, and other forms of written, verbal, and non-verbal (including visual) communication. Additionally, communication as described above occurring before or after the SCO-SOC 2025 meeting but pertaining to content associated with the meeting and/or relies on contact information of a meeting participant was procured before or during the meeting may also fall under the purview of this Code of Conduct. 

 

Expectations of Participants

Harassment in any form between participants of SCO-SOC 2025 will not be tolerated. Harassment includes any communication with, or behavior towards another participant involving offensive gestures, verbal and written comments, posts on the internet and social media, deliberate intimidation, stalking, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical or electronic contact, microaggressions, and unwelcome attention. Note that it is also possible to unintentionally engage in harassment and participants must be mindful of their behavior. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior by anyone are expected to comply immediately, regardless of their intent.

 

Use of Media Associated With the Meeting

By registering for and attending this Meeting, Participants agree to allow SCO-SOC 2025 to use photos, videos, or audio recordings taken of them during the Meeting in publications, promotions, and on the websites and social media pages of the participating societies. Only the Society may (a) take/make or distribute audio or video recordings of the Meeting or Participants or (b) distribute them (via social media or other means).

Participants wishing to share information from the Event and/or post photos via social media, whether of their own material or that of others, must adhere to individual social media platforms’ stated rules and policies. We ask that presenters and hosts of Events that do not want content or information shared via social media clearly communicate this to members of the audience and that members of the audience adhere to such requests.

 

Reporting an Incident

Any individual covered by the Code of Conduct who believes that they have been subjected to harassment, notices that someone else is being harassed, or has any other concerns about an individual’s behavior should report the incident immediately. Similarly, any breaches of the Code associated with media use should also be reported immediately. Potential violations of the Meeting Code of Conduct should be reported promptly to the SCO-SOC 2025 Safe Meeting Committee via safe_SCOSOC2025@gmail.com for review. All complaints will be treated seriously, promptly reviewed, and may be investigated. To contact the Safe Meeting Committee, please use the group email, which will go to the entire committee.

Note that bad faith reporting under the Code of Conduct also constitutes a violation of the Code of Conduct, where bad faith reporting is defined as intentionally false and/or malicious reporting of code of conduct violations against another attendee.

 

Disciplinary Action

Individuals found to have engaged in behavior prohibited by this policy, as well as those making bad faith allegations under the Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action. The SCO-SOC 2025 Safe Meeting Committee may take any action they deem appropriate, ranging from a verbal warning or ejection/prohibition from the specific activity in question (e.g., workshop, symposium, or even the entire conference), banning them from future conferences run or jointly run by the partner societies, revoking membership in from the Society, and/or the reporting of their behavior to their employer and research funders.

 

Retaliation Is Prohibited

Any form of retaliation—including seeking to violate the confidentiality of a reporting individual—against individuals who file a complaint or assist in an investigation or against any individuals suspected of doing so will not be tolerated by the SCO-SOC 2025 meeting. Retaliation is a serious violation of this policy and like any breach of the Code itself, will be subject to disciplinary action.

 

Questions & Appeal

Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the SCO-SOC 2025 Safe Meeting Committee. If an individual involved in any reported incident is dissatisfied with the disciplinary action, they may appeal to a committee made of the collective members of the executive committee from the Society.