CORD Code of Conduct Policy

Background 

The Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine (CORD) is committed to providing a safe, productive and harassment-free environment at its Academic Assembly, educational meetings, virtual conferences, and other CORD-sponsored events.  These events are designed to enable clinicians and researchers to convene for informational and educational sessions regarding the latest advances in treatment and care, and to promote learning, professional development, and networking opportunities.  CORD meetings also allow attendees to learn about and debate the latest scientific advances and to enjoy the company of professional colleagues in an environment of mutual respect.  CORD promotes equal opportunities and treatment for all participants. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, follow venue rules, and alert staff or security when they have knowledge of dangerous situations, violations of this Meeting Conduct Policy, or individuals in distress.  

Prohibited Behavior 

CORD prohibits any form of harassment, sexual or otherwise, as set forth in its Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy.  Accordingly, some behaviors are specifically prohibited, whether directed at other attendees, CORD staff, speakers, exhibitors, or event venue staff: 

• Harassment or discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. 

• Sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact. 

• Yelling at, threatening, or personally insulting speakers (verbally or physically). 

Participants asked to stop engaging in hostile or harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. 

Application of Rules 

These conduct rules apply to all attendees and participants at any CORD-sponsored event, as well as CORD-sponsored meeting social events (for example, opening party at Academic Assembly). All who register to participate, attend, speak at, or exhibit at a CORD event agree to comply with this Policy.   

Reporting Prohibited Behavior 

Harassment or other violations of this Meeting Conduct Policy should be reported immediately to CORD Meetings staff either in person, in writing by email at registration@cordem.org or other means of reporting.  CORD may involve event security and/or local law enforcement, as appropriate based on the specific circumstances. Event attendees and participants must also cooperate with any CORD investigation into reports of a violation of this Meeting Conduct Policy by providing all relevant information requested by CORD. 

  Potential Consequences 

• CORD reserves the right to remove any participant whose social attentions become unwelcome to another and who persists in such attentions after their unwelcome nature has been communicated.  

• CORD also reserves the right to remove any participant or attendee who appears inebriated and who engages in conduct that interferes with the ability of other attendees to participate in and enjoy the conference.  

• CORD may remove any individual from attendance or other participation in any CORD-sponsored event, without prior warning or refund, if in its reasonable judgment, CORD determines a violation of this Meeting Conduct Policy has occurred.  

• If CORD, in its reasonable judgment, determines that an individual has violated this Meeting Conduct Policy, CORD may also prohibit the individual from attending or participating in future CORD events. 

• CORD will also report on the outcome of any investigation to individuals who have reported a violation of this Meeting Conduct Policy.