MCWC Code of Conduct

Social Justice Statement

The Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference (MCWC), with its core commitment to social justice, values the diversity of views, expertise, opinions, backgrounds, and experiences reflected among all faculty, speakers, staff, attendees, and volunteers. We intentionally support the voices of under-represented individuals and groups. All of our constituents join an organization whose staff and Board, as part of ongoing anti-oppression, pro-inclusion work, are committed to challenging the ways that manifestations of whiteness, able-bodiedness, and privilege have historically and unfairly dominated the world of writing and publishing. We expect our events to be a respectful, harassment-free environment for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, nationality, age, socioeconomic status, immigration status, and belief.

Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct applies to all official MCWC conference and event spaces, including registration, panels, meetings, bookstore, website, and our social media accounts. The Code also applies to social events, such as receptions, meals, ceremonies, and book signings.

Faculty, speakers, staff, attendees, and volunteers (hereafter collectively “Participants”) at MCWC events are expected to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

Expected behavior

  • Treat everyone with respect and consideration while discussing and debating ideas.

  • Fulfill the responsibilities associated with your role at the conference.

  • Communicate openly and thoughtfully with others, and be considerate of the multitude of views and opinions that are different than your own.

  • Follow the rules and policies of the venue.

  • Respect the presumption of confidentiality in workshop and protect your classmates’ trust.

Unacceptable behavior includes:

  • Discriminatory behavior and actions, including comments (positive or negative), about an individual’s person, including but not limited to comments about their body, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, nationality, age, socioeconomic status, or beliefs.

  • Physical or verbal abuse or intimidation of any participant.

  • Sustained or disrespectful disruption of presentations or events.

  • Suggestive contact, such as inappropriate touching, or impeding or blocking movement.

  • Unwelcome sexual attention, including but not limited to sexualized comments or jokes, displaying sexually explicit material, inappropriate touching, groping, or sexual advances.

  • Initiating or participating in games that include discussions about sex or intimate parts of the body.

  • Verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual advances, questions about an individual’s sex life, propositions, requests, or comments (or anything that could reasonably be construed as such), without explicit consent.

  • Offering an attendee any kind of benefit (such as assistance with publication) in exchange for sexual favors, or threatening any kind of detriment for an attendee’s failure to engage in sexual activity.

  • Visual conduct of a hostile and/or sexual nature, such as making sexual gestures, or displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or cartoons.

  • Sending hostile and/or sexually related text messages, emails, photos, videos, or social media messages designed to harass, threaten, intimidate, humiliate, or coerce another participant.

  • Stalking or unwelcome or surreptitious photography or recording, including use of digital cameras, video, or other recording devices in the restrooms.

Consequences of unacceptable behavior

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, MCWC staff may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender, removing the offender from the premises, immediate expulsion from the conference with no refund, probation, or banning from future MCWC events.

Reporting unacceptable behavior

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact MCWC staff members Lisa Locascio, Executive Director (director@mcwc.org) and/or the Operations Manager (info@mcwc.org) immediately or call 911 if necessary. MCWC staff will assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance, and most importantly, your safety. Be assured that you will not be penalized in any way for reporting a problem.

Medical emergencies

While attending the conference, you give your consent for MCWC, its officers, employees, agents, staff, faculty, and volunteers to assist you in the event of an emergency, including seeking emergency medical treatment on your behalf and you agree to accept financial responsibility for the costs related to any medical treatment.

In order to register for MCWC, you must agree to comply with these guidelines for a successful conference. For questions about these guidelines, please contact the Operations Manager, at info@mcwc.org.