Annual Maize Genetics Meeting Code of Conduct
The Maize Genetics Cooperation (MGC) is committed to making the Annual Maize Genetics Meeting (MGM) an inclusive space for sharing ideas and knowledge. The Maize Genetics Cooperation Board of Directors (BoD) approved the following code of conduct on July 19, 2021.
MGM Commitment
The MGC is committed to providing a safe and productive meeting environment that fosters open dialogue and the exchange of scientific ideas, promotes equal opportunities and treatment for all participants, and is free of harassment and discrimination. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, follow established protocols and processes of the meeting, and alert the Conference Manager of any dangerous situations or anyone in distress. Speakers are expected to uphold standards of scientific integrity and professional ethics. This includes notifying the MGC in advance of the meeting about any possible conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. The MGC recognizes that there are areas of science that are controversial. The MGM can serve as an effective forum to consider and debate science-relevant viewpoints in an orderly, respectful, and fair manner. The policies herein apply to all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, contractors, volunteers, and guests at the MGM and related events.
The MGC prohibits any form of harassment, sexual or otherwise. Harassment should be reported immediately, as described below. We strongly condemn any harassment within our community that occurs outside of the meeting, but the policy below and response outlined pertains only to harassment that occurs at the MGM and associated events (e.g. pre-meeting workshops, field trips, etc.).
What is Harassment?
Harassment includes speech or behavior that is not welcome or is personally offensive, whether it is based on ethnicity, gender, religion, age, body size, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason not related to scientific merit. It includes stalking, unnecessary touching, and unwelcome attention.
Behavior that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so use discretion to be sure that respect is communicated. Harassment intended in a joking manner still constitutes unacceptable behavior. Retaliation for reporting harassment is also a violation of this policy, as is reporting an incident in bad faith.
Reporting Harassment
The MGM has a zero tolerance policy for any form of discrimination, including any form of harassment. The MGC is committed to supporting a productive and safe working environment for everyone at the MGM. If the MGC BoD receives an allegation of harassment or it has any reason to believe harassment or another form of intimidating or hostile behavior is happening, the BoD will take the necessary steps to ensure that the matter is promptly addressed.
To facilitate reporting of violations to the code of conduct, the Conference Manager will serve as an impartial 3rd party to receive complaints. Reports can be made by email or cell phone. Reports to the Conference Manager can be made in confidence or on the record. Please indicate to the Conference Manager if you wish to be identified to the Code of Conduct designees.
Please note if you feel physically threatened or unsafe, you should contact hotel security and the Conference Manager immediately.
What happens after a report is made
Once received, the Conference Manager will route complaints to Code of Conduct designees, which will include three members of the Maize Genetics Cooperation (MGC) Board of Directors (BoD). If a complaint includes one of those parties, the Conference Manager will ensure to not include that person/people in the reporting and they will be recused from the process. Another member of the BoD will be ad hoc appointed in their place to maintain the three Code of Conduct designees. We will do our utmost to ensure that all reports are considered seriously and that reasonable action is taken as necessary. We will follow this process once a complaint is received:
- Contact the Complainant to understand the situation.
- If the complainant has provided their information on the record (i.e., has provided their name and contact information to the Conference Manager be shared with the Code of Conduct designees), the Code of Conduct designees will meet with the complainant to discuss the details of the situation.
- If the complainant has not provided their information on the record, the Code of Conduct designees may utilize the Conference Manager to obtain additional, confidential information.
- If the complainant is an observer and not directly involved in the situation, the target of the offense will be contacted for additional information and consulted on whether they want to pursue the situation. The observer has no further right to information as an outcome of this investigation.
- Contact the Alleged Offender.
- The Code of Conduct designees will then contact the alleged offender to discuss the details of the situation.
- Report to Board of Directors
- The Code of Conduct designees will report findings to the Board of Directors and make a recommendation for consequences and the next steps.
- Update the Complainant before taking any action and/or seek input from an outside consultant.
- If the complainant has provided their information on the record (i.e., has provided their name and contact information to the Conference Manager be shared with the Code of Conduct designees), the Code of Conduct designees will meet with the complainant to discuss the resolution.
- If the complainant has not provided their information on the record, the Code of Conduct designees may utilize the Conference Manager to relay this information.
- The BoD of the MGC reserve the right to:
- Warn the offender and ask them to stop
- Remove an individual from the MGM without warning or refund
- Prohibit attendance at future MGM
- Revoke membership to the MGC
- Contact law enforcement if a crime has been committed
- Contact an offender's employer to file a complaint
**Depending on the policies governing the home institution of the individual BoD members, they may be required to report any incident to their home institution.
This policy was modified from the AAAS code of conduct found at:
http://meetings.aaas.org/program/code-of-conduct/
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