LAST UPDATED: FEB 2025
Expectations and Guidelines FOR Festival Events
CODE OF CONDUCT
In addition to reviewing guidelines below. we urge all attendees and participants to review the ABA Birding Code of Ethics. Anyone behaving in a way contrary to these standards during the Festival may be asked to leave.
The Boston Birding Festival does not tolerate bullying, discrimination, and harassment in presenting its programs and activities.
This policy extends to attendees, staff, trip leaders, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, contractors, security, and third-party services, etc. in all spaces, including digital spaces, where Boston Birding Festival programming takes place or is created or presented as well as in any service areas and in any Festival-related van, bus, boat, etc. We strive to make all participants feel welcome at our events.
Staff, presenters, and volunteers may receive training on our expectations and are expected to uphold this policy.
If you witness or experience conduct that makes you feel uncomfortable, find a staff member or BBF volunteer and request assistance.
Conflict between people does happen despite our best efforts. Not all conflict is personal. Some conflict situations are not created intentionally. When conflict does become personalized, we prioritize those who have been harmed. Some behavior, even when unintentional, may result in the offender being asked to leave.
The following are never permitted and will result in immediate action.
- Repeated unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention
- Harassment, intimidation, or bullying online or in person of Festival staff, volunteers, trip leaders, exhibitors, presenters, attendees or participants.
- Bullying or harassment involving age, ability, appearance, health status, citizenship, color, race, or gender identity, and behaviors such as stalking, intimidation, physical threats, hate speech or abuse, and threats of violence may result in immediate expulsion.
- Repeated disruption of Festival programming
- Property theft
- Harming or harassing birds or animals or deliberately damaging habitat
If you engage in any of these behaviors, security staff may ask you to leave immediately and you will be escorted from the premises. You may also be banned from any BBF events online or in person. Please be aware that any problems that arise offsite may require the involvement of local law enforcement.
While this list is not intended to be complete, it does help to convey where we might respond in ways that do not involve immediate expulsion or referral to outside authorities—and where we might not. A single rude, awkward, or uncomfortable exchange, for example, may not rise to the level of expulsion no matter how unpleasant.
We also believe that most people are open to course correction when offered feedback, guidance, and grace. We do not expect anyone to offer feedback or grace, but we strongly encourage it. A trained facilitator will be available at our large events—please ask.
Please note: “Canceling” and “Calling Out” will never be our goals. We reject bullying in the guise of calling out or shaming. We prefer the approach of “call in” and, if progress can be made, we will work to support that. We recognize and accept that not everyone agrees with this approach. If you do not agree, you may wish to reconsider your choice ti participate.
We ask that anyone seeking to participate at any level in the Festival be kind, cordial, and considerate and also to be generous of spirit by assuming the best, not the worst, of each other. Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes can help us grow and learn to be better.
By registering for the Festival or any of its events, you agree that you understand and will conform to these expectations for conduct. Thank you!
