The Till & McCulloch Meetings Code of Conduct is intended to support and promote a welcoming, inclusive, safe, productive, and harassment-free meeting environment for all participants, where all are treated with dignity and respect.
Please read the Code of Conduct before completing your registration.
I. GENERAL
1. Purpose
The Stem Cell Network (the “TMM Host”) has adopted a conference Code of Conduct (the “Code”). The Code is designed to provide guidance on the conduct expected during Till & McCulloch Meetings (“TMM”), so that conferences are conducted in accordance with high ethical standards.
The Code constitutes written standards that are reasonably designed to promote integrity, to deter wrongdoing and to address, at a minimum, the fundamental principles set out below. Although the various matters dealt with in this Code do not cover the full spectrum of conference attendee activities, they are indicative of the TMM Host’s commitment to the maintenance of high standards of conduct and are to be considered descriptive of the type of behaviour expected from conference attendees.
2. Application
This Code applies to all those who are present at any portion of the TMM, for any reason whatsoever, including TMM Host staff, attendees, vendors, sponsors, and exhibitors (collectively, the “Participants”).
This Code applies throughout TMM and in all venues, including at sponsor and vendor booths and events, and all ancillary events as well as official and unofficial social gatherings associated with the conference.
3. Monitoring Compliance
The TMM Host Committee is responsible for administering and monitoring compliance with the Code.
II. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
1. Compliance with Laws, Rules, and Regulations
All Participants must comply with all health and safety laws, regulations, and standards, as well as TMM Host policies and mandates, as applicable.
2. Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behaviour
Participants are each responsible for being aware of, understanding and complying with this Code. Appropriate procedures with respect to the reporting of any problems or concerns and any actual or potential violation of the Code are detailed below.
Failure by Participants to report any actual or potential violation of the Code will be viewed as condoning a violation of this Code.
There shall be no reprisal or other action taken against any Participants who, in good faith, bring forward concerns about actual or potential violations of laws or the Code. Anyone engaging in any form of retaliatory conduct will be subject to appropriate remedial and disciplinary steps.
3. Anti-discrimination and Anti-harassment Policy
a. Anti-discrimination
The TMM Host is committed to providing a conference environment that is free from discrimination. Discrimination means any unfair treatment based on a prohibited ground under human rights legislation, including an employee’s race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, record of offences, marital status, same-sex partnership status, family status, or disability.
All Participants are expected to treat everyone with whom they have contact in the course of their attendance at TMM with dignity and respect and in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
b. Anti-harassment
The TMM Host is committed to providing a meeting environment that is free from harassment. Harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.
All Participants are prohibited from engaging in harassment during TMM.
Sexual harassment includes engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a Participant at the conference because of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, where the course of comment or conduct is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome, or making a sexual solicitation or advance where the person making the solicitation or advance is in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit or advancement to the Participant and the person knows or ought reasonably to know that the solicitation or advance is unwelcome. This behaviour creates an intimidating, hostile, or “poisoned” conference environment.
Harassment may be verbal or physical. It may be one incident or a series of incidents. Harassment can create a negative or hostile conference environment that can interfere with a Participants performance or participation.
While the following is not an exhaustive list, harassment may include: verbal abuse, threats or unwelcome remarks, jokes, innuendos or taunting about a person’s body, attire, age, marital status, ethnic or national origin, religion, etc.; displaying of sexually explicit, racist or other offensive or derogatory pictures; practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment; unwelcome invitations or requests, whether indirect or explicit; intimidation; leering or other gestures; condescension or paternalism which undermines self-respect; unnecessary physical contact such as touching, patting, pinching, punching; physical assault, including sexual assault.
c. Procedure
An effective way to address discrimination and harassment is to communicate concerns directly by telling the person that the behaviour is unwelcome or inappropriate and must stop.
If speaking up is not effective, or if the Participant does not feel safe or comfortable to do so, then that Participant is strongly encouraged to exercise their option to leave the situation and to follow the reporting protocols outlined below.
In situations of actual or potential violence or other criminal misconduct, safety is the first priority. In those situations, as soon as it is safe to do so, report the situation to any member of the TMM Host Committee, other TMM staff, and, in appropriate situations, the local police department.
i. Reporting to the TMM Host Committee
Any Participant who experiences or believes they are witnessing a Code violation is encouraged to report the incident to any member of the TMM Host Committee or to TMM staff if the TMM Host Committee members cannot be reached. TMM Host Committee members can be reached via the registration desk or by using the contract information detailed below.
Stem Cell Network Representative
Shannon Sethuram, VP Corporate Services
Phone: 613-725-5808
Email: ssethuram@stemcellnetwork.ca
At large Representative
Holly Jiogo, Chair of SCN’s Trainee Communications Committee
Phone: 647-702-4127
Email: holly.jiogo@mail.mcgill.ca
At large Representative
Dylan Siriwardena, Vice-Chair of SCN’s Trainee Communications Committee
Phone: 343 576 2383
Email: dylan.siriwardena@utoronto.ca
Participants reporting a Code violation should, as soon as practicable after the incident(s), write down the incident details (e.g. who was involved, who may have overhead or seen it, where and when it occurred, what happened), as they may be asked to make (or verify) the report in writing.
Reports may be made anonymously, but understand that it is much more difficult to assess or verify anonymous reports, and as a result, the TMM Host Committee may be hampered in its ability to investigate and address the incident(s).
ii. Investigating the Report
The TMM Host Committee will promptly begin an appropriate investigation once it receives a report. The TMM Host Committee will assemble an impartial investigative committee (the “Investigation Committee”) to conduct or oversee the investigation. The Investigative Committee will consist of at least three TMM Host Committee members or, if any TMM Host Committee member is involved in the incident, a delegate of such member. The Investigative Committee may involve an outside expert.
In reviewing the reported facts, the Investigative Committee will present the respondent with a written statement of the allegations. At the Investigative Committee’s discretion, the complainant and the respondent will have the opportunity to provide or respond to additional evidence, and interview any potential witnesses.
The TMM Host Committee reserves the right in appropriate circumstances to either expedite the investigation, or determine if it is advisable and warranted to take interim measure during TMM pending the outcome of the investigation.
Once the investigation is complete, the Investigation Committee will report their findings and make recommendations regarding disciplinary and remedial steps, if any, in writing.
iii. Confidentiality
The TMM Committee will treat all reports as confidential to the extent possible. However, absolute confidentiality cannot be promised or assured, as investigation into the report may necessitate limited disclosure of pertinent information to those involved, including the respondent and potential witnesses.
Disclosure may also be required to protect the safety of individuals, to properly investigate the matter, to implement appropriate corrective action, or otherwise as required by law.
4. Consequences for Violating this Code
The TMM Host considers failing to comply with this Code to be a very serious matter. Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, disciplinary or remedial action may be taken by the TMM Host Committee. Such actions may include, without limitation, any or all of the following:
- verbal warning;
- temporary or permanent ejection from the event, with or without refund of fees;
- limitations or bans on participation in future TMM events or host-sponsored activities;
- issuance of a report to the Participant’s employer; and
- in appropriate situations, involvement of governmental agencies and/or law enforcement officials.
Anyone who fails to report a violation upon discovery or otherwise condones violations of this Code may also be subject to disciplinary action.
5. Monitoring and Ensuring Compliance with this Code
The TMM Host Committee shall monitor compliance with the Code. Participants may be asked to certify their review of, and compliance with, this Code.
6. Amendments and Modifications
The TMM Host will periodically review this Code and may amend or modify aspects of the same. Participants will be informed of any material Code revisions.
