CWC is committed to antiracism, equity, access, and representation. CWC is also committed to being more inclusive, and we value the dignity and diversity of everyone in our community. 

To that end, CWC strives for safer events and a safer community and workplace as well as an enjoyable experience for everyone involved with CWC, both in-person and virtually. We use the terms “safer” and “more inclusive” to indicate that these conditions are not perfectible but a continuous effort. CWC is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience and environment for everyone, regardless of race; sex; national origin; religion (or lack thereof); age; ethnicity; color; gender; gender identity and/or expression; neurodiversity; sexual orientation; marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status; past or present military service; physical, mental, or sensory disability; national, social, or ethnic origin; pregnancy; family or parental status and/or genetic information (including family medical history); physical appearance; or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or other unwelcome or unlawful behavior on the basis of any of these characteristics. Harassment includes but is not limited to:

• Offensive verbal comments related to, or that reinforce social structures of dominations related to, any protected category above
• Inappropriate, unwanted, and/or unsolicited physical contact
• Sexual propositions or posted/texted sexual images
• Unwelcome sexual attention or comments
• Off-color or obscene jokes, remarks, or gestures
• Any other words or conduct of a sexual nature that makes the recipient or observer uncomfortable
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events
• Unwelcome photography or recording
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

All CWC in-person event attendees and organizers, including but not limited to booksellers, CWC staff, exhibitors, vendors, authors, publishers, speakers/presenters, guests, sponsors, and volunteers, as well as third parties directly related to our events, are expected to comply with CWC’s code of conduct, refraining from all forms of harassment, as outlined below, and showing respect and courtesy to everyone involved in CWC events. This same expectation applies to all CWC interactions and working relationships.

CWC takes any violation of this policy very seriously. Accordingly, participants who violate this policy can, in the judgment and discretion of CWC, be blocked or expelled from a CWC event, without refund if applicable; can be prevented from attending future CWC events.

If you are being harassed, observe someone else being harassed, or have concerns about potential violations of this policy, please notify CWC staff immediately. In the case of an in-person emergency, call 911 or hotel/venue security, whichever feels safest for you. In all other cases, whether virtual or in-person, if an appropriate CWC representative is not readily available, email info@chuckanutwritersconference.com, and CWC will respond to you as soon as possible. CWC will take all appropriate action to protect anyone affected by violations of this policy.

All reports are confidential except to the extent that the CWC staff person taking a report may need to involve other event staff to ensure that a report is properly managed and that the appropriate action is taken to protect the individual reporting a violation, or others. All efforts will be made to keep reports confidential though and the number of people involved in following up on any reports will be limited as much as possible. CWC will only involve law enforcement or security at a victim’s request.

CWC recognizes that although some behavior may not be intended as harassment and may not be considered harassment by some, comments or actions that subtly and often unconsciously and unintentionally express prejudice against a marginalized group or a bias towards groups with the most power, also known as “microaggressions,” can still have a negative impact and may prevent an event from feeling inclusive to all.

CWC will treat these incidents as educational opportunities rather than violations, following up with the person who committed the microaggression to discuss the impact of their actions with the goal of ensuring that everyone is supporting an inclusive environment. CWC believes these can be opportunities to help our community grow together toward the goal of equity and inclusivity. Only repeated microaggressions after discussion and education may be considered harassment. Examples of microaggressions may include statements such as the following:

• “You speak English so well” to a person of color
• “I know a lot about Asian/Latinx/Indigenous/Black culture, and I didn’t find that racist at all” spoken by a white person
• “You” or “This is so exotic” spoken to a person of color
• “Where are you from? Where are you really from? Originally.” to a person of color
• “Are you sure you’re Chinese? You look Korean.”
• “Hola, chica” to a Latinx woman by a non-Latinx person
• “Your hair is so cool. Can I touch it?” to a Black person spoken by a non-Black person
• “You’re so inspiring” spoken to a Disabled Person
• “I never would have known you used to be a girl” spoken to a transgender person.
• “LGB…whatever.”
• Speaking loudly to someone merely because they speak with an accent
• Using common idioms like “off the reservation” or “sold down the river” that reference violence and racism
• Repeated use of incorrect pronouns

The CWC team will enforce this code of conduct in all areas of our work. We appreciate your assistance in making CWC welcoming to all and supporting CWC’s commitment to antiracism, equity, representation, and access. 

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