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Code of Conduct

Policy

The National Precast Concrete Association (“NPCA”) is dedicated to safe and enjoyable event experiences for all attendees. All participants, including but not limited to staff, affiliate staff, speakers, officers, directors, committee chairs and members, other volunteers, sponsors and other attendees, are expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct (“Code of Conduct”). This Code of Conduct applies to all NPCA events, including without limitation The Precast Show and other in-person and virtual conferences.

Drug & Alcohol Use

Recognizing the fact that marijuana use is now legal under the law of numerous states, NPCA expects the use of such substance(s) to conform with local and state law.

At many NPCA events, alcoholic beverages are served. NPCA expects participants at its events to drink responsibly. NPCA reserves the right to deny service to participants for any reason and may require a participant to leave the event.

Weapons

To the extent consistent with and permitted by applicable law, NPCA does not permit the possession of firearms or other weapons at any NPCA event.

Unacceptable Behavior

NPCA has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants at NPCA events. This includes:

  • Harassment, intimidation or discrimination of any form.
  • Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, staff member, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, hosting event staff or other meeting guest.
  • Disrupting presentations during sessions or at other events organized by NPCA throughout the meeting.
  • Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to, comments (including jokes) related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion or national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations or deliberate intimidation, unwanted photography/recording, threatening or stalking of any attendee, staff member, speaker, volunteer, sponsor, hosting event staff or other meeting guest.

Enforcement & Reporting

  • Participants who are asked to cease any behavior(s) contrary to this Code of Conduct are expected to comply immediately.
  • NPCA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary, including immediate removal from the event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of behavior deemed inappropriate under this Code of Conduct. NPCA reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting by any individual found to have acted in violation of this Code of Conduct.
  • Persons experiencing harassment or hearing of any incidents of unacceptable behavior in violation of this Code of Conduct are asked to contact a NPCA staff member and ask for either the President and/or his designee.
  • NPCA has no power whatsoever to prevent any person accused of unlawful or improper behavior who believes such action has caused him or her legal harm from instituting legal action against the person he or she believes has caused the harm.

Staff Procedures

  • Any member of staff is authorized to issue a verbal warning to an event participant that such person’s behavior violates this Code of Conduct. Warnings should be reported to the President and/or his designee as soon as possible thereafter and should include identifying information (name of participant), time the warning was issued, behavior that was in violation, approximate time of behavior (if at a different time than the warning), circumstances surrounding the incident and other people involved in the incident (including witnesses, if any). Verbal or oral warnings and reports should be reduced to writing as soon as practicable after their occurrence.
  • Reporting
    • When taking a personal report, staff should find a space that is safe and that cannot be overheard. It is recommended that one other staff member or NPCA senior manager be present as a witness to the report. Staff will not ask the complainant to confront anyone, and, to the extent possible, the complainant’s identity will remain known only to the NPCA representatives receiving the report. However, NPCA may not be able to guarantee confidentiality or anonymity to a complainant or witness.
    • If at all possible, staff should also interview any witnesses and, depending upon the circumstances of the alleged inappropriate conduct and subject to the decision of the President and/or his designee, give the accused an opportunity to respond to the complaint.
  • Presentations
    • Presentations or similar events should not be interrupted for one-time inappropriate statements, although a staff member should speak to the presenter afterwards regarding the impropriety of any statements made. NPCA staff should take immediate action to politely and calmly stop any presentation or event that repeatedly (two or more occasions) or seriously violates this Code of Conduct.
  • Expulsion
    • A participant may be asked to leave a NPCA event for any of the following:
      • A second violation of the Code of Conduct, resulting in a warning from staff;
      • Continuation of the offensive behavior after being directed to cease inappropriate conduct;
      • A pattern (two or more incidents) of offensive behavior, with or without warnings; or
      • A single serious or intentional offense (e.g. punching, groping, exposing oneself to another, use of hate speech or speech tending to incite violence).


Approved by the Board of Directors 9/9/2021