The Governor’s Hurricane Conference (GHC) is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience and environment for everyone, regardless of race; sex; national origin; religion (or lack thereof); age; ethnicity; color; gender; gender identity and/or expression; neurodiversity; sexual orientation; marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status; past or present military service; physical mental or sensory disability; national, social, or ethnic origin; pregnancy; family or parental status and/or genetic information (including family medical history); or physical appearance. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or other unwelcome or unlawful behavior on the basis of any of these characteristics. Since this Code of Conduct also protects GHC staff and its volunteers, these members may choose these same avenues to report violations they experience themselves, or these members may choose to contact GHC Board Members at [email protected]. Harassment includes but is not limited to:

         1.  Offensive verbal comments related to, or that reinforce social structures of dominations related to, any protected category above.
2.   Inappropriate, unwanted, and/or unsolicited physical contact
3.   Sexual propositions or posted/texted sexual images
4.   Unwelcome sexual attention or comments
5.   Off-color or obscene jokes, remarks, or gestures
6.   Any other words or conduct of a sexual nature that makes the recipient or observer uncomfortable
7.   Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
8.   Sustained disruption of talks or other events
9.   Unwelcome photography or recording
10. Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

The GHC takes any violation of this policy very seriously. Accordingly, attendees who violate this policy can, in the judgement and discretion of the GHC, be blocked or expelled from any GHC event, without refund if applicable; can be prevented from attending future GHC events after notification to the attendee, opportunity for the participant to respond, and review by the GHC Board.

If you are being harassed, observe someone else being harassed, or have concerns about potential violations of this policy, please notify GHC staff immediately. In the case of an in-person emergency, call 911, hotel/venue security, and/or a community safety alternative as provided by the GHC for each event, whichever feels safest for you. In all other cases, whether virtual or in-person, if an appropriate GHC representative is not readily available, you may email [email protected], and we will respond to you as soon as possible. The GHC will take all appropriate action to protect anyone affected by violations of this policy.

All reports are confidential except to the extent that the GHC staff person taking a report may need to involve other event staff or GHC leadership to ensure that a report is properly managed and that the appropriate action is taken to protect the individual reporting a violation, or others. All efforts will be made to keep reports confidential and the number of people involved in following up on any reports will be limited as much as possible. The GHC will only involve law enforcement or security at a victim’s request.

The GHC team will enforce this Code of Conduct in all areas of the GHC’s work, including in-person events, virtual meetings, and GHC sponsored activities. We appreciate your assistance in making the GHC welcoming to all and supporting GHC’s commitment to a harassment-free experience and environment that is open to everyone.