New safety-related documents

[rosefox]

Dear friends of Readercon,

Readercon is pleased to share with you the Code of Conduct and policies that will be in place for Readercon 24, as well as the procedures we will be following in the event of a report of a violation of the aforementioned code of conduct.

Code of Conduct
Policies
Procedures

As always, we welcome all feedback at

Comments

[whc]

So, I could be reported to the safecom for failing to notice that someone was getting bored with our conversation? Or, for standing between them and the exit because I wanted to be near the exit?

I now feel unsafe attending Readercon because of the safecom.

You had a great convention, I'm sorry to see you destroy it.

[gaudysalamander]

I for one feel much safer about attending readercon with the above-linked set of policies. In fact, I will probably get a readercon membership for the first time ever (after several years of just hanging out in the lobby with friends who attend readercon) this year. Thank you to everyone who has worked to make the con a better place for everyone.

I'd also like to point out, for anyone who is concerned, that there is a huge difference between standing near an exit because you yourself want to be able to use it in a hurry if necessary, and blocking someone else's access to the exit. Even apart from concerns about bullying or harassment, that's a fire hazard! And just plain rude.

[the_xtina]

Active dedication to and concern for safety procedures is one of the few things that might get me, an inveterate hermit, to actually attend a con. So, well done! I approve a lot.

[anonymous]

So, you've gone from a "zero tolerance" policy on harassment (which, to be fair, you did enforce *once*. The second time, you violated your own policy and gave the serial harasser a two-year ban because you just knew he was really, really "sorry") to, "we may have to go as far as giving a harasser a darned stern talking to!". Oh, bravo. No, really, that wasn't sarcastic of me *at all*.

The answer to people calling you on the carpet for failing to enforce your own zero tolerance policy is not to water it down to the point where it becomes meaningless. I guess 2014 will be yet another year where our family's con-going dollars will be happily handed to someone else. Someone who, you know, cares about their attendees and their safety.