At the Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC), we believe every event should foster respect, inclusion, and collaboration. This Code of Conduct outlines the standards we expect from all participants.

Our Commitment:

  • Respectful environment: Treat all attendees, speakers, and staff with courtesy and respect.
  • Inclusive participation: Embrace diversity of perspectives and experiences.
  • Professional conduct: Maintain integrity in discussions, networking, and decision-making.
  • Safe spaces: Harassment, discrimination, and/or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
  • Accountability: Violations may result in removal from the event or further action.

Shared Responsibility:

By attending FACHC events, you agree to uphold these standards and contribute to a positive, collaborative atmosphere.

Reporting Concerns:

If you experience or witness behavior inconsistent with the Code of Conduct:

  • Contact event staff immediately.
  • Submit a confidential report using online form found in Section 7, below.

Questions?

Reach out to Nicole Rechner at nrechner@fachc.org for clarification or support.

1. FACHC Staff

Staff standards for events:

Staff are expected to represent the organization professionally at all times while planning, staffing, or attending events. Refer to your internal employee handbook for full policies, reporting procedures, and disciplinary standards.

Core expectations:

  • Professionalism: Be punctual, prepared, and perform assigned duties reliably.
  • Respect: Treat colleagues, attendees, vendors, and partners with dignity; do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or bullying.
  • Confidentiality: Protect private information about attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, staff, members and organizational operations.
  • Conflict of interest: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest as soon as possible.
  • Safety and compliance: Follow venue rules, safety protocols, and instructions from Leadership.

Alignment with IASC Six Core Principles:

We require staff to adhere to international best practice on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. Staff will be held to the standards and principles set out in the IASC Six Core Principles relating to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Important: These expectations are a summary only; consult the employee handbook for detailed rules on conduct and disciplinary processes.

2. Attendees

Attendees are expected to behave respectfully toward other participants, staff, speakers, and vendors.

Expectations:

  • Respect personal boundaries: Maintain a comfortable distance and avoid approaching others in a way that could make them feel unsafe or pressured.
  • Safe participation: Follow venue rules and staff instructions for safety and accessibility.
  • Constructive engagement: Keep questions and feedback professional and relevant.

Prohibited behavior examples

  • Harassment, stalking, or intimidation of any participant.
  • Disruptive behavior that prevents others from participating.
  • Possession or use of illegal substances on venue property.

Alignment with IASC Six Core Principles:

We require all attendees to adhere to international best practice on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. Staff will be held to the standards and principles set out in the IASC Six Core Principles relating to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Photography and video

  • Consent by attendance: By attending a FACHC-hosted event, you agree that you may be photographed or videotaped.
  • Ownership and use: Photographs and video recordings taken at any FACHC event are the property of FACHC and may be used in support of its mission, programs, and communications.

Reporting and consequences:

Report concerns using the online form found in Section 7 below, or to on-site staff. Violations may result in removal from the event without refund and possible ban from future events.

3. Sponsors and Exhibitors

Sponsors and exhibitors must represent their organizations honestly and respect the event community and venue.

Expectations:

  • Honest representation: Do not misrepresent products, services, or affiliations.
  • Respectful engagement: Interact courteously with attendees, staff, vendors, and other exhibitors and always respect personal space.
  • No aggressive solicitation: Do not pressure, follow, or repeatedly approach attendees who decline engagement.
  • Compliance: Be respectful of venue rules and event schedules.

Prohibited behavior examples:

  • Collecting personal data without consent or misusing attendee contact information.
  • Harassing or pressuring attendees to engage or purchase.
  • Displaying offensive or discriminatory materials.

Alignment with IASC Six Core Principles:

We require sponsors and exhibitors to adhere to international best practice on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. Staff will be held to the standards and principles set out in the IASC Six Core Principles relating to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Reporting and enforcement:

Event organizers may require removal of materials, suspension of booth privileges, or termination of sponsorship for violations. Report concerns using the online form found in Section 7, below.

4. Speakers and Presenters

Speakers and presenters must deliver content that is accurate, respectful, and appropriate for the event audience.

Expectations:

  • No solicitation during speaking opportunities: If you are selected to speak in an education session, townhall, awards ceremony, or any other program session, you are not permitted to sell, negotiate, advertise, or promote business products or services during your speaking opportunity. Any sales, negotiations, or advertising of products or services are explicitly reserved for the exhibit hall or other marketing and promotional channels approved by FACHC.
  • Accuracy and integrity: Represent facts, data, and sources honestly; correct errors promptly and disclose relevant affiliations or sponsorships.
  • Respectful content: Avoid language, imagery, or examples that are discriminatory, harassing, gratuitously graphic, or otherwise inappropriate for a diverse audience.
  • Accessibility: Provide slides and materials in accessible formats when possible and follow guidance from organizers to make sessions inclusive.
  • Consent and privacy: Do not record or distribute audience members without consent; respect requests from individuals who do not wish to be recorded or photographed.
  • Professional conduct: Interact courteously with attendees, fellow presenters, and staff; follow session schedules and organizer instructions.

Prohibited behavior examples:

  • Using presentations to harass, defame, or promote hate.
  • Recording or distributing images or personal data of attendees without consent.
  • Turning a session into a sales pitch or repeatedly soliciting attendees during a speaking slot.
  • Displaying offensive or discriminatory materials in slides or handouts.

Materials and intellectual property:

  • Ensure you have the right to use and share any third‑party content in your presentation.
  • If you provide materials for distribution, label them clearly and include source attributions where appropriate.

Logistics and support:

  • Follow organizer instructions for materials submissions, AV, timing, and session format.
  • Contact the event team in advance for accessibility accommodations or to discuss sensitive content.

Alignment with IASC Six Core Principles:

We require speakers and presenters to adhere to international best practice on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. Staff will be held to the standards and principles set out in the IASC Six Core Principles relating to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Reporting and consequences:

  • Report concerns about speaker conduct or content using the online form found in Section 7, below, or notify on‑site staff.
  • Organizers reserve the right to cancel sessions, remove speakers, or take other actions if content or conduct violates this Code, up to and including removal from the event and future bans.

5. Volunteers

Volunteers are ambassadors of FACHC and must act safely, respectfully, and reliably.

Expectations:

  • Reliability: Arrive on time, follow assigned duties, and communicate scheduling issues promptly.
  • Respect and dignity: Treat all participants with respect, honor diverse perspectives, and refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or disrespectful language or behavior.
  • Confidentiality: Protect any private or sensitive information you access while volunteering.
  • Safety: Follow safety protocols and report hazards immediately.

Prohibited behavior examples

  • Using volunteer access to harass or exploit attendees.
  • Sharing confidential or proprietary information.

Alignment with IASC Six Core Principles:

We require speakers and presenters to adhere to international best practice on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. Staff will be held to the standards and principles set out in the IASC Six Core Principles relating to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Reporting and consequences

  • How to report: Report concerns using the online form found in Section 7, below, or notify on‑site staff or the Event Lead.
  • Consequences: Violations may result in removal from volunteer duties, disqualification from future volunteer opportunities, and other actions consistent with event policies.

6. Inter-Agency Standing Committee Principles

We expect all staff, attendees, speakers, presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and vendors to align with international best practice on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. The IASC Six Core Principles guide our approach to prevention, response, and accountability.

For the full principles, see the IASC guidance: IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

How we apply these principles

  • Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse by anyone representing the event.
  • Clear reporting channels and prompt, impartial investigations.
  • Protection for survivors and confidentiality to the extent possible.
  • Appropriate disciplinary and remedial actions when violations occur.

7. Report a Concern

We encourage prompt reporting of any behavior that violates this Code. Reports are taken seriously and handled confidentially.

How to report:

  • On-site: Speak to any staff member or the Event Safety Lead.
  • Online form: Can be found below.
    • The online form includes an anonymous submission option.

What to include in a report:

  • Date, time, and location of the incident.
  • Names of people involved and any witnesses.
  • Description of what happened and any supporting evidence (photos, messages).

What happens after you report:

  • Acknowledgment of receipt and an outline of next steps.
  • Initial assessment and, if needed, a confidential investigation.
  • Support options for affected individuals and protective measures.
  • Outcomes may include mediation, corrective action, or removal from the event.

Non-retaliation:

Retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.