Code of Conduct

SFS Annual Meeting Code of Conduct

The Society of Freshwater Science is an international scientific organization whose purpose is to promote further understanding of freshwater ecosystems and ecosystems at the interface between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. SFS members and authors of SFS publications are expected to adhere to the SFS Bylaws, SFS Science-Based Policy, and SFS Meetings Social Media Conduct Policy.

SFS Annual Meetings, open to SFS members and those interested in freshwater sciences, are among the most respected meetings in the freshwater science community. SFS is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and staff. All participants including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, SFS staff, service providers and others are expected to abide by this SFS Meetings Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all SFS meeting-related events whether in person or virtual and including, but not limited to, the SFS Annual Meeting, activities sponsored by SFS Chapters and organizations other than SFS but held in conjunction with SFS events, in public or private facilities, or online.

Expected Behavior

SFS encourages a proactive and constructive dialog and asks meeting attendees to respect the following guidelines at all events associated with an SFS meeting:

  • Communicate openly with respect and consideration for others, valuing a diversity of views, opinions, and identities.
  • Turn off any ringers or otherwise disrupting devices or mute yourself as appropriate while attending presentations or during live streams of sessions.
  • Request permission from speakers before posting or sharing recordings or photographs from their presentation or extracting materials from the meeting website.
  • Avoid personal attacks directed toward other attendees, participants, SFS officers or conference management staff, suppliers/vendors, and members of the public.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
  • Respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue, hotels, SFS contracted facility, or any other venue, including virtual and multimedia platforms.
  • Speak up or intervene if you observe discriminatory or other harmful behavior directed at others whether that behavior occurs while participating in conference events or at an off-site venue. Techniques and trainings for bystander intervention are available online and can be viewed in advance. An example is: https://www.ajsocal.org/bystander-intervention-trainings/
  • If you notice a dangerous situation or someone in immediate distress, please call for help immediately.
  • Communication about harassment or other issues can occur in person with any member of the SFS Board of Directors, SFS Executive Director (Andreas Leidolf, exec.director@freshwater-science.org), SFS Communications Specialist (Andrea Ward, communications@freshwater-science.org) or members of the Council of Underrepresented Voices (CUV). Communication can also occur by emailing your concern to SAFE@freshwater-science.org.

Unacceptable Behavior

It is important that SFS meetings be a place where no attendee or staff is ever belittled, bullied, harassed, or made to feel unsafe. The following behaviors will not be tolerated either during conference events, whether on-site or off-site:

  • Harassment, intimidation, bullying or discrimination in any form.
  • Physical, written, or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, SFS staff member, service provider or other meeting guest.
  • Examples of unacceptable behavior can include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, SFS staff member, service provider or other meeting guest.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior & Consequences

  • Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety is advised to contact 911 and locate a landline phone and ask for conference security.
  • Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.
  • If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please immediately notify any member of the SFS Board of Directors, SFS Executive Director (Andreas Leidolf, exec.director@freshwater-science.org), SFS Communications Specialist (Andrea Ward, communications@freshwater-science.org) or a member of the Council of Underrepresented Voices (CUV). Communication can also occur by emailing your concern to SAFE@freshwater-science.org.
  • After receiving a report of inappropriate behavior, SFS leadership will assess the report,  consult with representatives from CUV when relevant, and work with the complainant to determine the most appropriate response. SFS is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals involved in the incident to the greatest extent possible.
  • SFS leadership reserves the right to take any lawful action deemed necessary in response to a violation of this code. This could include, but is not limited to, immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund.

Ensuring Inclusion & Diversity in the Future

The SFS leadership and the Council of Underrepresented Voices also encourages anyone to contact SFS officers or the Council of Underrepresented Voices regarding ways in which the Society can improve inclusion & diversity and encourage both a stimulating and supporting atmosphere.

Version 5. Updated 21 May 2024