COVID-19 and Event Code of Conduct Policies

AWHONN EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY

Scope:

AWHONN is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants. All including, but not limited to, participants, presenters, volunteers, exhibitors, AWHONN staff members, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Event Code of Conduct. This Code applies to all AWHONN meeting-related events held in person, hybrid or virtual, including those sponsored by organizations other than AWHONN, but held in conjunction with AWHONN events, on public or private platforms.

Policy:

By participating in any AWHONN event, you agree to communicate in a courteous, professional, and respectful manner.  You agree to be considerate to individuals that have varied opinions and views on topics. You agree to be mindful of your surroundings and of other AWHONN participants.

AWHONN has zero-tolerance for any form of harassment, including but not limited to discrimination of age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, physical or cognitive ability or sexual orientation. Harassment of any form, including physical, sexual, or verbal in nature will not be tolerated. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, AWHONN asks that you notify AWHONN at leadership@awhonn.org or the AWHONN registration desk at a live event.

Unacceptable Behavior is defined as:

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
• Offensive gestures, written, or verbal comments
• Verbal or written abuse aimed toward any participant, presenter, volunteer, exhibitor, AWHONN staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
  • Examples of verbal or written abuse include, but are not limited to, comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any participant, presenter, volunteer, exhibitor, AWHONN staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
• Racially charged and politically inflamed comments.
• Disruption of presentations during sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by AWHONN. All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderator and any AWHONN event staff.
• Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services.
• Recording a presentation not authorized for recording.
• Participants should not copy or take screen shots of Q&A or any chat room activity that takes place in the virtual space.

Participants requested to cease harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Procedure:

AWHONN reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, which may include:

• Removal of messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
• Immediate removal from the meeting (session) without warning or refund.
• Prohibit participation at any remaining scheduled meetings without warning or refund.
• Prohibit attendance at any future AWHONN meetings or events, virtually or in person.

As of 6/7/2022

2022 AWHONN CONVENTION COVID-19 PROTOCOLS (as of June 1, 2022)

In reviewing the current state of infection rates across the country, AWHONN will be implementing the following COVID-19 protocols:

All onsite participants are required to show proof of vaccination* at registration, while picking up your name badge. AWHONN will be requesting that participants use a vaccine verification app to share their cards or bring the original or copy of their card. The Clear app has a place in which you can store your card on their app. Other apps, like Walgreens or CVS, may also have areas for this.

As health protocols will be in place in accordance with expert guidance from the CDC, we also ask that you recognize the following:

By participating in the Convention, all attendees agree to:

• Provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 booster if appropriate based on vaccination booster timeline
• Wear an approved mask (KN95, N95, or double mask) over nose and mouth at all events
• Wear a color-coded wristband indicating your comfort level of congregating within six feet of other attendees
• Reconsider participation in the event should you feel sick or are experiencing COVID-like symptoms prior to traveling to or while onsite in Aurora

In addition, while onsite:

• Temperature checks will be available
• Socially distant seating will be an option
• It is recommended that attendees avoid physical contact, including hugs and handshakes
• Please adhere to any signage that encourage physical distancing throughout the Convention space and in common areas.
• The Resort will conduct enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high-frequency contact points.
• Attendees are encouraged to wash their hands and/or use sanitizer frequently.

For more information on how the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is working to protect your health, review their  Commit to Clean.

FAQs

How will meals be handled?

Pre-packaged items, if available, will be served, as well as buffets, with service from Gaylord staff, will be a part of the program. Buffet separation guards will be provided to ensure safe service between guests and food.

Is AWHONN offering onsite testing? 

No – currently, there is no plan to offer onsite testing. For your own peace of mind, we strongly recommend taking a COVID-19 PCR test before you depart for Aurora and the day after you arrive onsite.

How will I find out about Convention health updates while on site in Aurora?

To help ensure your personal safety and comfort during Convention, AWHONN is committed to robust and transparent communications during the event. We are exploring a messaging alert system and will encourage all participants to receive up-to-the-minute updates.

My COVID-19 status has changed. What do I do?

*We look forward to welcoming all guests to celebrate our community at this year’s Convention. Participants who wish to receive a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine will be asked to show the following documentation:

• Religious Exemption: You must hold sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practice of vaccination. Your religious leader must provide a religious organization statement as proof of your reason for exemption. You must also arrive at the meeting with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Those granted religious exemptions must wear a mask (KN95 or better) that covers the nose and mouth, at all times, regardless of COVID-19 PCR test results, and a red social distancing wristband.
• Medical Exemption: You must have a medical condition for non-vaccination that is signed by a licensed healthcare provider, not related to the submitter, whose specialty is appropriate to the associated condition. You must also arrive at the meeting with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Those granted medical exemptions must wear a mask (KN95 or better) that covers the nose and mouth, at all times, regardless of COVID-19 PCR test results, and a red social distancing wristband.

If you are requesting an exemption, please indicate that you are not vaccinated when you register. Once onsite, please present your exemption documentation, and negative PCR results, to the AWHONN customer service representative at the Convention registration desk.