Event Code of Conduct Policy

As a professional organization, the Optometry Association of Louisiana (“Association”) is dedicated to providing a safe, harassment-free, and inclusive experience for all participants at all Association-organized events and has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of participants in any form. Participants include but are not limited to Association employees, volunteers, members, attendees, guests, staff, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, etc. An Association-organized event includes business at the Association office, official social events such as receptions, membership meetings, board meetings, committee meetings, and any other event for which participants are asked to RSVP or register through the Association.

Harassment includes but is not limited to offensive comments or gestures related to gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion. Harassment also includes but is not limited to intimidation, bullying, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of presentation or other event, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention or advances. Harassment can occur in real or virtual space, including social media related to an Association-organized event.

If you observe or experience harassing behavior that you believe is in violation of the Code of Conduct, please report the incident immediately to the Association’s office at (318) 335-0675 and ask to speak to the Executive Director regarding an incident of harassment. The Association will take every complaint seriously and the Association Executive Committee will investigate each complaint promptly, thoroughly, and impartially. All complaints of unlawful harassment will be handled in as discreet and confidential a manner as is possible under the circumstances. The Association reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether any behavior at any Association-organized event is unacceptable and in violation of this Code of Conduct. In the event that it is determined that an individual has violated this Code of Conduct or has otherwise engaged in conduct that is deemed to be improper, prejudicial, or detrimental, the Association reserves the right to discipline such individual, including but not limited to (1) removing any such individual from the event or meeting with no refund of any fees paid, and/or (2) barring any individual from attending future Association events or meetings.

The Association shall have no liability whatsoever arising out of its interpretation and enforcement of the Code of Conduct.