Worldcon 76 Code of Conduct

SFSFC corporate policy requires that all SFSFC events publish and enforce code of conduct and anti‐harassment policies.

Worldcon 76 in San Jose is a San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Incorporated (SFSFC) event.

SFSFC, Inc. is chartered to promote and develop fantasy and science fiction in all their forms. SFSFC events include educational and social activities. Our goal is to show how fantasy and science fiction can be serious and artistic, and fun and accessible to everybody.

We fail in that goal if we create an environment where harassment of attendees and participants is condoned. Victims of harassment will not enjoy an event and will not find fantasy and science fiction to be fun or accessible. SFSFC and its event-planning teams are committed to responding respectfully to reports of harassment and taking appropriate action to stop harassment that is brought to our attention.

Worldcon 76 in San Jose abides by Wil Wheaton’s Law. (www.knowyourmeme.com/memes/wheatons-law)

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE:

These rules are heavily lifted from Further Confusion, the SF Bay Area’s furry convention. We’re grateful to AAE for their work in creating a fun and safe environment at Further Confusion. It’s also based on the Code of Conduct for Westercon 66.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE

Worldcon 76 in San Jose will have an Ombudsman team available throughout the convention. Its role is to assist you if you have any problems at the convention. Call (346) 298 - 1338 and ask for the Worldcon 76 in San Jose Ombudsman on duty, or visit the Member Services office and ask to speak to an Ombudsman member. Any convention staff member can help you contact an Ombudsman as well. Remember, we cannot address a problem unless we know about it. If team members cannot assist you immediately, the Ombudsman team will have someone contact you as soon as possible who can. As with all messages left with the Ombudsman team, remember to give details of how, when, and where you can be contacted. You can also email the team at ombudsman@worldcon76.org.

HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT

Harassment is any behavior that annoys other persons, aggravates them, or makes them feel unsafe. This includes but is not limited to:

• Unwanted or threatening physical contact,
• Unwanted or threatening verbal contact,
• Following someone in a public area without a legitimate reason, and
• Threatening physical harm in any way.

Additionally, Worldcon 76 does not tolerate discrimination in any form -- including through cosplay -- based on but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical/mental health conditions.

A neat tattoo or a sexy, excellent costume does not come with permission to touch, nor is it an invitation to do so. Always ask if you may touch clothing, property, or the person. Costuming is not consent.

If you are being bothered or are uncomfortable with someone’s actions toward you, communicate any one of these messages:

• “No.” No means no.
• “Please stop.” Stop means stop.
• “Please go away.” Go away means go away.

If someone won’t understand these simple rules, contact our Ombudsman Team for assistance, or ask any convention staff member to do so on your behalf.

All guests and members of this convention have the right to not join in activities that cause them any form of discomfort and to speak out if they feel harassed or unsafe.  Offenders may lose their badges and be asked to leave the convention. The matter may be referred to law enforcement authorities.

Treat people as you’d want others to treat your sister or brother. Complaints will be taken very seriously. We reserve the right to revoke a membership at our discretion at any time.

PARTIES, ALCOHOL, AND ZERO DRUG TOLERANCE

Worldcon 76 in San Jose does not tolerate serving of alcohol to individuals under 21 years of age. If you are hosting a party where alcohol is being served, it is your responsibility as host to ensure that the age of anyone drinking alcohol is checked. You should also designate someone not to drink, so that there is a fully competent person present to deal with any emergencies that might arise.

Section 25660 of the Business & Professions Code of California states that convention parties serving alcohol can accept "bona fide" forms of identification which are currently valid and issued by a government agency containing the following information: (a) name of person, (b) a photograph, (c) a physical description, and (d) date of birth.

Acceptable form of identification:

• Driver’s licenses
• Passports
• Passport cards
• Military identifications

All properties associated with Worldcon 76 and its functions are non-smoking and non-vaping, which includes cannabis. Cannabis edibles in any form may not be served at the convention.

Worldcon 76 does not tolerate the use of illegal substances.

Serving or dosing individuals with any form of intoxicant without their explicit consent is strictly forbidden.

Violation of the above rules could subject you to the immediate loss of your badge and convention privileges, or referral of the matter to legal or other authorities as applicable.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

Worldcon 76 in San Jose wants you to have great memories from a fantastic convention. Photographs and videotape footage by attendees are generally allowed in all common areas of the convention with the exception of the Art Show. Specific rules regarding these matters may exist for selected events, such as concerts. Please consult the Pocket Program for information relating to specific events.

When photographing or videotaping individuals or costumes, use common courtesy and ask before photographing them. Respect their rights if they do not wish to be photographed or videotaped. If someone asks or otherwise indicates (remember many folks in costume do not speak) that they do not wish to be photographed, do not photograph them!

Photography or videography for the purpose of sale or publication to the press is expressly forbidden unless written permission has been obtained from Worldcon 76 in San Jose.

Individuals may take pictures and videotapes for private viewing or sharing with friends. We ask our attendees to be courteous to those they wish to take pictures of, especially if you wish to place those pictures or video clips onto a personal Web page or similar Internet archive. In this case, ask your subjects for their explicit permission to do this.

The services of an official professional photographer are used for Worldcon 76. By registering for the Worldcon 76, you agree to allow Worldcon 76/SFSFC to use your photograph in Worldcon 76-related publications, on the Worldcon 76 website, or in other Worldcon 76/SFSFC materials.

HAVE A FUN AND SAFE CONVENTION!

If you have questions or comments regarding Worldcon 76 in San Jose policies, please contact our Ombudsman and IRT Area Head, Lori Buschbaum, at ombudsman@worldcon76.org

• No firearms, airsoft weapons, tazers, batons, pepper spray, or replicas of guns. No functional bows and arrows. Any prop guns must look like a prop from 50 feet away. This is for your safety and for the safety of our other members.
• No costume may generate odor, smoke, or fog, or have overly bright or flashing lights.
• No live steel. Live steel is defined as swords, knives, or other objects made of metal, which can take an edge. Dull metal weapons are considered live steel, and therefore are not permitted.
• No metal or wood bats, metal pipes, or long metal chains.
• Any item that is designed or manufactured with the intent to cause bodily injury or death, any item that is illegal in the state of California, or any other item that appears dangerous or may pose a risk of harm will not be allowed on the premises. This will be up to the sole discretion of qualified con staff.
• Operating a prop to shoot an object of any material is not allowed at the con and will result in your peacebond being removed.
• Current US military uniforms, costumes that may be confused with law enforcement, or other emergency response personnel are not permitted at con.
• If you buy a prop/livesteel at con, you may have it tagged with a peacebond if it belongs with the costume/cosplay you are currently wearing and follows the weapon policy. If not, it needs to be removed from the premises and taken to your hotel room or off-site.
• You may display your prop weapons only as costume pieces. Do not swing or brandish your prop weapon in any way that could be considered unsafe or threatening.
• You may pose with a prop weapon in a brandishing manner, so long as no reasonable person would interpret it as anything but a pose for dramatic effect. Con management may stop your posed brandishing in their sole discretion.

HAVE A FUN AND SAFE CONVENTION!

If you have questions or comments regarding Worldcon 76 in San Jose policies, please contact our IRT Area Head, Lori Buschbaum, at ombudsman@worldcon76.org

Register Your Party!

Please remember that we need to know if you’re planning to host a party at Worldcon. You can contact us atparty@worldcon76.org. Whether it is a small private gathering of friends or a big blowout, please register your party and let us know your plans. This will enable us to provide you with a party kit filled with helpful supplies!

Please note: The Fairmont Hotel is the only approved hotel for public and private parties.If you do not currently have a suite reserved, please contact the Fairmont and request to be blocked on floors 4, 5, or 7 in the South Tower.

Alcohol Policy

Alcohol restrictions have been legally clarified, and we are replacing previous guidelines with these -- this applies to parties both public & private:

1. You must check photo ID for legal age (21 years old) -- your party’s bartender is legally responsible.You must be at least 21 years old to serve alcohol. (Convention badges in no way verify an attendee’s age.)
2. “Last Call” is 1:30 AM, no serving alcohol after 2:00 AM.
3. Alcohol may not be sold.

Signage/Taping onto Walls

We encourage you to advertise your public party in convention publications, with flyers on your Fan Table (if you have one), and on the party boards that will be located at the Fairmont & Marriott hotel, and Convention Center.

TheConvention Center allows computer-generated (professional-looking) signage on our party board. If your flyers are posted anywhere but on the party boards, you are absolutely responsible for taking them down after your party.

TheFairmont Hotel also allows computer-generated (professional-looking) signage on our party board on the 1st floor (not on lobby walls, or other non-designated spaces). If you are putting up decor in your party room, you may only use painter’s tape to affix it to walls.

TheMarriott Hotelwillnotbe hosting public parties, and as such there’s no need for posting flyers in lobbies, hallway walls or doors. We hope to have a party board in the lobby there as well, so that people enjoying the hospitality of Consuite will also be able to find you.

Promote your Party in the Newsletter!

If you are hosting a public party, the Worldcon 76 newsletter wants your "Party Previews!” Rather than tell members about parties that have already happened, we want to get members excited about upcoming parties ahead of time. Email your info tonewsletter@worldcon76.org 

Party Competition

We will be collecting ballots and awarding titles for:

• Best Food
• Best Themed Drink
• Best Decor
• Best Overall Party

Ballots will be available at Registration and on the party floors. Ballot boxes will be on the party floors while parties are going on, and will be located in Party Ops (location TBD in the Fairmont) the rest of the time.Please Note: All ballots should be filled out by the member voting. Valid ballots will require the members badge number, badge name and registered name. Any appearance of ballot stuffing or pre-filled ballots will result in your party being disqualified from the awards.

Fairmont Hotel’s Amenities

TheFairmont offers WiFi for a surcharge.  Pro Tip: If you join the Fairmont’s loyalty program (free, please sign up now) you get free WiFi. 

You may rent a fridge for $25, but they have a limited number available: first-come, first-served. Furniture removal isnotan option. While cooking in the rooms is not allowed, utilizing crockpots and the like toreheatfood is acceptable.

Reasonable Hotel Etiquette

As we’re sure you’re aware, it’s best not to alarm or irritate the hotel staff. Don't be obnoxious bringing in your party supplies and decor, and treat the bell and housekeeping staff with respect and courtesy, especially if they help you! They can be your best allies sometimes with the challenges of being a host away from home.  It’s also a good idea to do your best as a party host to keep the noise to a level where you won’t have to deal with complaints from neighbors, and have unwanted hotel staff knocking on your demanding you shut your party down. No smoking is allowed indoors (even vaping).

Obviously, don’t damage anything. If you are sharing your suite with other parties, please check in with our party staff so we can come to your room and identify and photograph any preexisting damage so that you are not charged for it. We’ll also, if you like, come through when you’re done with the room and repeat the procedure.

Try to leave your room as clean as you found it, consider using the plastic sheeting we’ll have available inParty Ops (TBD location), and remember to leave a tip for the housekeeping staff. Leave full garbage bags inside the room for housekeeping to pick up when they clean in the morning, or call them for a pickup.

Reasonable Convention Etiquette

Please monitor your party attendance to only allow convention attendees wearing badges. Be sure to check ID if you’re serving alcohol. Use only painter’s tape to hang items on the walls. Don’t damage hotel property, and leave it as clean as you found it. 

Acquiring Ice

Ice will be available in the ice machines of the Fairmont, but use it sparingly please.

If your suite has a shower stall instead of a tub, we can arrange to provide you with an alternate container for ice and drinks. Please speak with Party Ops staff.

You can also obtain ice from nearby stores. We will be compiling a list of locations shortly.

We ask that anyone using their tubs in their rooms for storing food or soda to use a tub liner. These are available at Party Ops (location TBD) for free to registered party hosts. Hotels will charge for any damages to the tub.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted in any of our contracted hotels nor any public building. This includes common areas and guest rooms for any kind of smoking (tobacco, marijuana, evapor, whatever). Most hotels may levy a cleaning charge for a room where smoking has occurred.

San Jose Party Ops/Party Maven

Come find us in Party Ops to check in before your party. We will provide you with some Party Support supplies, and if you give us copies of your flyers we’ll put them up on the party boards for you if you’d like.

Party Kit

The package we’ll provide for you will include:

• Doorstop
• garbage bags
• bar towels
• sm. roll of painter’s tape
• bottle opener/corkscrew
• roll of toilet paper

We will have a few other options for you to choose from as well, including a can opener, a plastic tarp, toothpicks, and more of the items listed above in case you need extras.If you’re in a suite, you may also have a trash can,and you can borrow one of the 12” pedestal fans for the duration of your event(s). If you would like a tub liner (if you’re putting ice in it to serve cold drinks) please let us know.

We will come visit your party to ensure your needs are being met. We will provide you with our contact numbers so that you can reach party team members for assistance.

Contact us

Pre-con: email Margaret Grady atparties@worldcon76.org, marg.grady@worldcon76.org,marg1066@gmail.com (Margaret Grady)

At-con: Our dedicated party maven line, TBA soon.