Conference Policies

Code of Conduct

Introduction

All attendees, speakers, conference supporters and organizing team members at the German American Conference 2024 are required to abide by the following code of conduct. Organizers will adhere to and enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everyone involved.

By attending a GAC event, you agree to our code of conduct.

Definition

Harassment includes offensive verbal or written comments or actions related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention or otherwise.

Policy

The German American Conference 2024 is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, sex assigned at birth, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof). We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, platform, or event, including but not limited to talks, workshops, receptions, panel discussions, coffee chats, and social media. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference at the discretion of the event organizers. 

Participants of the conference, speakers, and conference supporters are all subject to the anti-harassment policy. Anyone asked to stop any harassing behavior is expected to comply immediately.

Participants of the conference should refrain from using conference platforms, events, or social media for personal advertisement or solicitation.

Disciplinary Action

If a participant engages in any inappropriate behavior including those listed above, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event platform and the conference.

Reporting and seeking help

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the conference staff immediately, either directly or by emailing us at info@germanamericanconference.org. Conference staff can be identified in-person by their white GAC t-shirts.

If you would prefer to contact the Harvard, MIT, or Cambridge Police, please find their website information below:

Harvard Police Website: https://www.hupd.harvard.edu

MIT Police Website: https://police.mit.edu/contact

Cambridge Police Website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/cpd/ContactUs

Conference staff will be happy to assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance.

Additional Information

For additional information please reach out to any of the conference staff – either personally or via email: info@germanamericanconference.org.

Summary of Contact Information

Source

Original source and credit: JSConf US 2019 – Code of Conduct and The Ada Iniative

Chatham House Rule / Non-Attribution Policy

For certain events, the GAC adheres to the Chatham House Rule to ensure open and honest exchange of ideas. The Chatham House Rule allows participants to freely discuss and share information within a trusted environment, fostering candid dialogue while respecting confidentiality.

By attending our event, you agree to abide by the Chatham House Rule. This means that while you are free to use the information gained during the discussions, you must not reveal the identities or affiliations of any participants without their explicit permission.
We are committed to maintaining an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality, ensuring that all attendees can contribute openly without concern for their privacy or professional integrity. For more information on the Chatham House Rule and how it applies to our event, please refer to the full guidelines.

Acknowledgment of Land and People

Harvard University is located on the traditional land of the Massachusett people, and the Nipmuc and Wampanoag Nations have long been our neighbors as well. Harvard Kennedy School recognizes and honors the past, present, and future of these Indigenous people and precious lands.

COVID Policy

Introduction

We are looking forward to hosting the second in-person GAC since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and are trying to ensure a safe environment for everyone. Despite this, large gatherings always carry the risk of COVID-19 exposure that cannot be fully mitigated and there may be restrictions imposed by local authorities or our conference venues. Although we currently do not expect any major restrictions, this is subject to the future trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Therefore, in order to participate in the conference, you and everyone who is registered with you must agree to the following COVID-19 policy:

Policy

By submitting my registration or participating in the German American Conference 2024, I acknowledge the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and its variants (collectively referred to here as “COVID-19” or “COVID”), and that a risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 during or after the meeting may result from the actions or inactions of others who may attend the meeting or their contact persons.

Importantly, I agree to refrain from participating in any in-person conference events if I experience any symptoms related to COVID-19 including but not limited to fever, sore throat, coughing, runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of smell or taste, muscle aches or shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, please let the conference team know and we will try to accomodate you virtually.

Further, I agree to comply with all COVID-related rules and procedures that may be implemented during the conference as follows:

  • I may be required to provide proof of vaccination (including initial vaccination series as well as booster shots) with an FDA-approved vaccine;
  • I may be required to get tested for COVID-19 at my own expense;
  • I may be required to wear a mask while attending the event;
  • I may be required to adhere to social distancing protocols;
  • I may be required to participate in the collection of personal data for contact tracing purposes.

I acknowledge that I may be removed from the meeting (without any compensation to me) if I fail to cooperate in any way.

Moreover, travel to the conference might be restricted. I acknowledge that it is my personal responsibility to inform myself about the local COVID-19 restrictions as well as any travel restrictions that might impede my participation in the conference. The GAC 2024 does not take over any responsibility for not being able to attend the conference due to COVID-19 related restrictions and does not reimburse expenses (i.e. ticket cost, travel costs, accommodation costs, etc.) incurred.

By attending this meeting or event, I voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, and I (we) hereby release, waive and forever discharge any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature against the German American Conference and its affiliated partners and sponsors, including in each case, without limitation, their directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents (the “released parties”), either in law or in equity, to the fullest extent permissible by law, including but not limited to damages or losses caused by the negligence, fault or conduct of any kind on the part of the released parties, including but not limited to death, bodily injury, illness, economic loss or out of pocket expenses, or loss or damage to property, whether due to COVID-19 or any other cause, which I, my heirs, assignees, next of kin and/or legally appointed or designated representatives, may have or which may hereinafter accrue on my behalf, which arise or may hereafter arise from my participation in the conference. 

Moreover, I acknowledge that the same principles outlined above apply to any other infectious disease than COVID-19.