Membership

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EXHIBIT A
Southern California Romance Writers
Code of Conduct

1. General Principles.
A) The Code of Ethics set out in Southern California Romance Writers (SoCalRW)’s Policy Manual serves as a code of professional conduct for members. The Code of Ethics requires members to exhibit integrity, honesty, and other good professional practices, thereby enhancing the writing profession. Members must abide by the Code of Ethics and are subject to its provisions.

B) For the purposes of this Code of Conduct, “Functions” shall include, but are not limited to, meetings, events, conferences, and participation on SoCalRW forums.

C) In order to promote respect and professionalism among members, the Board of Directors has adopted this Code of Conduct and requires its members and attendees to comply with this Code of Conduct at SoCalRW functions.

2. Inclusivity.
A) In order to create a safe and respectful environment, invidious discrimination is prohibited at any Function. No member, speaker, or participant shall be discriminated against based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, or religion.

3. Inappropriate Behavior.
A) In order to create a safe and respectful environment, harassment is prohibited at all functions.

B) Types of conduct SoCalRW considers inappropriate includes, but is not limited to: Harassment, which is defined for the purposes of this policy to include offensive comments related to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, or religion; inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention; deliberate intimidation, inappropriate photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; and public broadcasting of others’ private or sensitive information without explicit consent.

C) Personal disagreements and differences of opinion, even if strongly worded, will not be considered inappropriate conduct under this policy.

4. Conduct at Functions.
A) Members and attendees shall address each other and treat participants, sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers with respect at all times.

B) Members and attendees must recognize that whenever competitors within an industry gather, appropriate care must be exercised to ensure violations of antitrust do not occur.

C) Members and attendees will not make inaccurate or misleading representations or disparaging statements about fellow members, competitors, or attendees which are intentionally misleading or inaccurate.

D) Members and attendees should avoid any real or apparent conflicts of interest in performing their duties and obligations, and to promptly disclose any such conflict to the Board of Directors.

E) Members and attendees shall meet all financial obligations of participation in any Function. In order to participate in any event at the member price, the member must keep their membership active and renewed.

5. Compliance.
A) Any issue arising between members of attendees at Function should be reported to the Board of Directors in writing and shall be handled in Executive Session as follows:
a. If the issue involves another member or participant from a Function, that member or participant will receive a copy of the written complaint and have an opportunity to provide a written defense in a timely manner. Both sides will have an opportunity to review any and all evidence provided in support of the other side’s claims and defenses. Neither the complaint nor any evidence may be provided anonymously.

b. After receipt of all evidence, the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire voting membership of the Board of Directors, may issue a warning or reprimand to the member or prohibit the non-member participant from attending other Functions.

c. Or, the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire voting membership of the Board of Directors, may vote to terminate or suspend of a member’s membership.

d. Non SoCalRW members who are found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct may be barred from future Functions and from future membership in SoCalRW.

B) Additional consequences specific to harassment during Functions:
a. Anyone asked to stop harassment at Functions is expected to comply immediately.

b. The Board of Directors, by a majority vote, may take any action they deem appropriate and necessary during a meeting or event to ensure the safety of attendees, including warning the offender or expelling the offender without a refund.