Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies

The PAEA Education Forum is a national conference intended for education, networking, and collaboration in the PA education community. We value the participation of each member of the PA education community and want all attendees to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

The code of conduct and behavior policies outline the expectations for all conference attendees and participants, including all members, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers, and provides specifics for how to respond to and report inappropriate behavior. Cooperation is expected from everyone throughout the conference and at all conference events, whether or not officially sponsored by PAEA, and conference organizers will actively enforce this code. Violations are taken seriously. 

Expected Behavior 

PAEA expects conference participants to communicate professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually, handling dissent or disagreement with courtesy, dignity, and an open mind, being respectful when providing feedback, and open to alternate points of view. Likewise, PAEA expects that any sharing of information about the organization or any event, attendees, or participants via public communication channels be done responsibly and in a way that clearly distinguishes individual opinion from fact. 

Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees. Behave professionally. Remember that harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate for the Education Forum. 

Unacceptable Behavior 

PAEA does not tolerate harassment of conference participants or PAEA staff in any form. Harassment includes offensive verbal or written comments and negative behavior, either in real or virtual spaces, including those that are related to or are based upon gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. Harassment also includes display of sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, and unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention. Conference participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. 

Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any PAEA event venue, including education sessions, workshops, social gatherings, and within social media channels. Sponsors and speakers may not use sexualized language, images, activities, or other material, or otherwise create a sexualized environment. 

Be careful in the words that you choose. Remember that sexist, racist, and other exclusionary jokes can be offensive to those around you. Excessive swearing and offensive jokes are not appropriate for the Education Forum. 

If a participant engages in behavior that violates this code of conduct, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or exclusion from the conference with no refund. 

Disruption Policy: PAEA is committed to providing a professional, collegial, safe, supportive, and respectful virtual Forum environment. All attendees are expected to behave with the high degree of integrity expected of the PA profession. Attendees are expected to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment when engaging on the virtual conference platform. Any attendee who engages in disruptive behavior will be removed from the virtual event platform by PAEA staff; no refund will be provided.

Harassment Policy: PAEA is dedicated to ensuring a harassment-free Forum experience for all Forum attendees. All Forum attendees are expected to treat each other with respect. PAEA does not tolerate harassment of Forum attendees in any form and will review and respond to reports of harassment.

Thank you for helping to make this a welcoming, friendly event for all. 

Reporting Inappropriate Behavior 

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact PAEA staff at Forum@PAEAonline.org.