FAPA is committed to providing a welcoming, safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants in all FAPA activities.

FAPA Activities includes:  

• workshops, conferences, events sponsored, co-sponsored or in cooperation with FAPA or any FAPA Chapters; 
• FAPA meetings, board meetings; 
• Exchanges amongst FAPA committees and workgroups or other bodies associated with FAPA activities and communications sent through communication channels associated with FAPA, including social media.

The FAPA Community Guidelines is designed to clearly communicate standards of behavior for our attendees, supporters, staff, board members, volunteers, speakers, sponsors, and others. It also communicates the process for reporting violations of these standards.

By participating in FAPA activities and events, you agree to adhere to the following Community Guidelines: 

Respect and Inclusivity 

• • Act with respect to all persons you encounter including participants, organizers, and staff valuing the diversity of views and opinions.  
  • Exercise consideration in your speech and actions. 
  • Stay civil and be mindful of your language and behavior. Avoid any demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing conduct. 
  • We will not tolerate any form of bullying or harassment behavior or speech, be it physical, emotional and/or digital harassment.  
  • See below for examples of unwelcome behavior. 

Discrimination 

• • Treat all individuals fairly and equally.  
  • Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic is prohibited. 

Sexual Harassment 

• • Respect personal space and boundaries of others at all times. 
  • Obtain someone’s consent before touching them. 
  • Sexual harassment in any form, including but not limited to verbal comments, physical actions, suggestive gestures, language, imagery unwelcome advances, and inappropriate use of social media or texting, will not be tolerated. 

Audio Recording, Video Recording, and/or Photography and Social Media 

• • Obtain explicit consent from all subjects before photographing, video recording, and/or audio recording. 
  • Obtain explicit consent from everyone present in the photos, videos, and audio recordings prior to distributing them. 
  • Respect the privacy preferences of individuals who decline to be photographed or recorded. 

Privacy 

• • Only share personal information (ie. names, emails, phone numbers, addresses) when absolutely necessary and with trusted parties.  
  • Avoid disclosing your and others’ sensitive data in public forums or group settings. 
  • Best practice is to ask parties named for consent before sharing. 

Alcohol Consumption 

• • Alcohol consumption is prohibited during all formal FAPA programming unless otherwise noted at functions such as fundraising banquets.  
  • Consumption of alcohol before or after FAPA programming hours must be done responsibly. Adhere strictly to legal drinking age requirements if applicable. 
  • Participants are expected to maintain appropriate behavior at all times and consider the impact of their actions on others.

Use of Copyrighted Materials 

• • Respect copyright laws when using any materials (including images, videos, text, and presentations) during the event. 
  • Obtain appropriate permissions or licenses for the use of copyrighted materials, and give credit to the original creators as required. 

How to Report
If you experience or witness any behavior that violates this Community Guidelines, please report it immediately to FAPA Executive Director, Anny Hsiao, and Communications and Program Coordinator, Vanessa Chen. All reports will be handled promptly and confidentially. 

Consequences of Violating FAPA Community Guidelines 
Participants who engage in behavior that violates this Community Guidelines may be asked to leave the event without warning or refunds, or may be subject to other appropriate actions, up to and including being banned from future events. 

By participating in our events, you acknowledge your responsibility to uphold these Community Guidelines. We strive to ensure that all participants have an enjoyable and enriching experience while promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity. 

 

Examples of Unwelcome Behavior 

Offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, body size, age, race, nationality, class or religion; including the deliberate misgendering or use of ‘dead’ or rejected names. 

Inappropriate social contact, such as requesting/assuming inappropriate levels of intimacy with others in-person or through other communication channels such as texting; deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; sustained disruption or interruption of conversations or an event; unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact; or continued one-on-one communication after requests to cease. 

Inappropriate use of communication, such as social media for purposes of harassment, shaming or intimidation including trolling, griefing and flaming; tagging or sharing photographs or recordings that may compromise someone’s right to privacy; deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent (except as necessary to protect vulnerable people from intentional abuse); or other violations of privacy, such as sharing/publication of non-harassing private communication.

Sexual harassment or assault, including inappropriate physical contact; unwelcome sexual attention; engaging in any act which involves another person without their explicit consent; gratuitous or off-topic sexual images or behavior in spaces where they’re not appropriate; or willfully coercing others to engage in any type of activity, either explicitly or through techniques such as bargaining, withholding, or other forms of peer pressure. 

Actions or behaviors that put others at risk, including exposing minors to adult behavior or activities. 

Judgmental comments regarding a person’s lifestyle choices and practices, including those related to food, health, parenting, politics, drugs and employment. 

Threats or acts of violence, or incitement of violence towards any individual, including encouraging a person to engage in self-harm. 

Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviors.