VF Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is to ensure that the furry/Anthropomorphic community can enjoy Vancoufur while also working to build rapport with the public and our venue and continuing to improve on that relationship. This code of conduct puts expectations of behavior for our attendees at our event that we expect everyone to follow. If there is a conflict between departmental policies and the code of conduct, the code of conduct shall take precedence.

The code of conduct is not an exhaustive list of dos and don’ts. Any behavior that adversely effects or causes interference with the event and operations of Vancoufur, including but not limited to its relations and reputation within the community, municipality, venue, and/or public is strictly forbidden. This includes disregarding or interfering with instructions or guidance from Vancoufur staff during the performance of their duties.

Violation of the code of conduct may result in the suspension or revocation of your Vancoufur membership by Vancoufur staff. If any Ranger or Security staff believe you may be a danger to yourself or others, the venue, or other guests, you will be asked to stop immediately. If the behavior persists, your badge will be revoked and you will be asked to leave. If the infraction is severe enough, such as harassment or violence (sexual or otherwise), or multiple first hand credible behavior complaints, it may result in a ban from future events hosted by the BCAEA. Should someone be found to be an inadmissible attendee that has registered, they will have their registration revoked, and be removed without refund.

Attendees are advised that anything illegal outside, is also illegal inside the con, and that unlawful behavior may be reported to authorities and your badge revoked should Vancoufur staff receive credible complaints from other attendees, the venue, or the public. This includes local bylaws, as well as provincial and federal laws.

Badges and Admission

Your Vancoufur Membership includes a badge that is your pass to convention events. This badge remains the property of Vancoufur until the end of the convention. At the end of the last scheduled convention event it becomes the property of the member.

• While at the con, the badge must be worn and visible at all times. Anyone attempting to access Convention specific areas without a badge will be asked to display their badge, or will be denied entry and asked to leave. You may also NOT alter your badge in anyway, which includes removing minor identifying stickers or attempting to elevate your badge’s membership access. If you are found to have tampered with your badge, your membership may be revoked.
• Badges are Non-transferable. Your Badge is for you and you alone, and may not be loaned, given, resold, or used by anyone else for any reason during the convention. Doing so may result in your badge being revoked and being expelled from the convention space.
• Government Photo ID and Vaccine Status must be presented at registration to complete your reg and receive your con badge. Government ID  must be current, and can include a Government ID card, Driver’s License, or Passport. BC residents must present a BC Vaccine Passport. Travelers within Canada must present a vaccine passport or proof of a completed vaccination course from their home province. Travelers outside of Canada will need to present their vaccination information they used when they arrived in Canada from the ArriveCAN app. In person attendees must have had their last vaccine shot at least 14 days prior to the start of the event. All attendees 12+ must be vaccinated to attend.
• Underaged Members: Vancoufur recognizes all attendees under the age of 18 at the time of the convention as minors. Minors between the ages of 16-18 do not need consent of a legal guardian to register for membership and attend Vancoufur. Minors aged 13-15 require a parent or legal guardian’s consent to register for a membership and attend the convention. A parent or legal guardian must be present to register and sign for minors aged 13-15, no exceptions. Minors 13-15 may then freely attend the convention unsupervised once they have obtained a valid membership. Children age 12 and under are free, but must be supervised by a legal guardian or parent who holds a valid membership badge at all times. Parents must obtain a KIT (Kid in tow) badge for children aged 4-12. Infants do not need a KIT badge. Parents attending with infants and minors aged 4-12 cannot bring their children into restricted event spaces marked adult or 18+. Minors between the ages of 13-17 will have a badge marker designating them as minors. This must be worn at all times. Minors will not be permitted into spaces designated 18+.
• Inadmissible Attendees: We reserve the right to refuse membership and admittance to persons who have been convicted of a crime of a violent sexual nature, sexual crimes against minors, and/or have been deemed sexual offenders or with a legally documented history of sexual violence, or inappropriate conduct involving minors. Vancoufur reserves the right, at the chair and executives’ discretion, to refuse or revoke membership at our event for any reason to protect the safety of attendees and membership. Some of these reasons may include, but are not limited to: person(s) convicted of crimes of a violent nature, sexual violence, or crimes of a sexual nature involving minors, harassment, threats against the safety of the convention, threats toward or harassment of staff or attendees.
• No refunds If you find that you cannot attend the event please be advised that we do not do cash refunds for purchased memberships. However, we will consider each instance on a case by case basis to determine if issuing a credit for the following year is appropriate based on individual circumstances. We will not issue refunds if you are removed for violating this AUP or inappropriate behavior.

Event Space

• Vancoufur is a private event taking place in a public venue. Event space is limited to attendees with a valid badge however, members of the general public may be present in open or public spaces. Any space accessible by the general public is considered an ‘all-ages’ (PG) space at all times. This includes lobbies, hallways, elevators, etc. 
• Attendees must clothe, costume and conduct themselves appropriately in these shared spaces. If you are at all unsure if your outfit or clothing is inappropriate, please ask at Operations before wearing the outfit, props, or clothing in question. Please see our Apparel Guidelines for more specifics.
• Attendees are not permitted to at any time be exposing themselves (genitalia) in any convention or public spaces at any time. Violations of this may result in a revocation of membership.
• Attendees will be held liable should they be caught damaging the venue in anyway.
• Sleeping is not permitted in the convention space, nor in the venue public spaces such as the lobby, hallways, or restrooms. Attendees found to be sleeping in such places will be removed.
• Props & Weapons: Prop weapons constructed of non-hard, non-harmful materials such as foam, foam covered wood or ABS piping, soft plastics or fabric /plush are permitted for costume purposes. Toy weapons (such as nerf) that are clearly not weapons and are clearly identified as such (orange tip) are also permitted. Squirt guns/waterguns, paintball, or realistic replica or actual firearms are strictly prohibited at all times. Weapon props should be registered with Ops prior to use. Real swords, knives or props made of metal, solid wood, or other materials that could cause injury or harm are not permitted (this includes paddles). Silly string or other substances that could damage the hotel are also not permitted. Props of a suggestive or sexual nature are only permitted after 10pm.
• For specific events, an area or room may be designated as 18+/adults only. Access to such events will be strictly controlled by ID/badge checking at the door or entrance to the area.
• Adult programming begins at 9:30pm. Panels and after dark activities will be taking place in age checked spaces after this time. We try to plan the after dark areas to be as discreet as possible. Plan your time accordingly. If you see someone violating the apparel guidelines or these conduct guidelines, please report them to OPS or a Ranger, (ops is in the Trillium room on the 2nd floor). Other volunteers may not have the authority or ability to deal with rule breaking.

Alchohol, Drugs, Smoking/Vaping

• Alcohol must be only in the possession of, consumed by only persons of legal drinking age (19 in British Columbia) or older and only when served by a venue bartender/waiter, consumed within designated spaces such as the hotel bar/restaurant, event with a venue bar/bartender, or in the privacy of your own hotel room.
• Anyone found to be providing/serving alcohol to a person under the age of 19 is breaking the law and may have their membership revoked and/or reported to police.
• Alcohol is not permitted in event space such as panel rooms, dealer’s den, games rooms, etc. Please only consume alcohol in the bar/restaurant, your room, or within specific events with a hotel bar/bartender present. (eg: GoH dinner)
• Illegal recreational drugs are prohibited. Marijuana is legal in BC, however, it may only be consumed in designated smoking areas outside of the front of the hotel. Vaping, and smoking of any kind is prohibited in the hotel, in hotel rooms, and on balconies. Only smoke in designated areas.
• Attendees found to be vaping or smoking in their rooms may be subject to penalties or fines from the hotel.
• Please enjoy responsibly. Please follow all hotel signage regarding smoking or vaping. Attendees who are found to be intoxicated to the point where they are at a risk to themselves or others, or behaving belligerently or violently, may be asked to leave either temporarily or permanently at staff discursion.

Hotel Rooms & Party Rooms

• Do not post any notices, advertisements or glue/affix/tape anything to walls, ceilings, doors, or floors of our venue without first getting permission. Staff will provide you with appropriate approved adhesives so we do not damage the venue. Please use designated posting spaces for notices, DJ fliers, posters or other advertisements. Items using the wrong adhesive or in unapproved spaces will be removed.
• Do not attempt to alter, use, misuse, damage, deface, or misplace objects in the venue space unless you’ve obtained specific permission from the con staff. Attendees must immediately heed any direction or request from venue staff. If there is grievance, attendees must comply first with the venue’s request, and then report to Conops after and provide details.
• As per Hotel policy, the renter of the hotel room is responsible for the room’s condition and any use thereof. Vandalism, damage, or destruction of hotel/venue property may result in severe consequences including but not limited to revocation of membership, removal from the hotel as well as being held financially responsible with possible civil/criminal prosecution.
• During late evening hours, (11:00pm-8:00am) noise must not be auditable in other hotel rooms. To minimize noise, keep doors and windows completely closed with a sign to knock. Note that dedicated subwoofer or high bass audio systems are prohibited for room parties as they cause noise problems. 
• Party hosts and participants are reminded that smoking/vaping in hotel rooms is not permitted, and that providing alcohol to minors is illegal.
• Public parties MUST be registered and approved with the party block. Parties outside the block will be shut down. You have been warned.
• Vancoufur Rangers will do their best to help resolve noise or conduct complaints between attendees and the hotel, however, the hotel does have the right to take immediate and independent action against room occupants who are noisy and disruptive. Please party responsibly and be respectful of other guests.

Photography & Media

• Vancoufur is a private event. As such, media/reporters/youtubers/podcasters are permitted in convention space only after registering as media in advance and obtaining a press pass from Vancoufur.
• Media coverage, filming and photography is prohibited without prior authorization and written approval. Recordings or photography for private use is permitted. Unauthorized media shall be removed from convention spaces. 
• Media found to be distributing or licensing photography or video footage for or on behalf of a media organization; the BCAEA is empowered to seek damages of up to $10,000 CAD.
• Vancoufur reserves the right to take photography or video footage for promotional purposes.
• Photographers and videographers authorized as ‘staff photographers’ will wear identifying badges to show their status as convention photographers.
• Photography and Video is not permitted in the Headless Lounge, or Dealer’s Den. No artwork or merchandise may be photographed without first obtaining consent from the dealer/artist.
• Vancoufur reserves the right to deny entry to any/all media or grant conditional entry subject to additional provisions including, but not limited to continual escort/supervision by designated staff.
• Inquiries or requests regarding media, video, or press appearances at Vancoufur may be made to media@vancoufur.org. Requests made at, or just prior to the event may not be responded to immediately. Please refer to Con Ops if there are any inquiries during the convention dates.

Harrassment and Assault

• Vancoufur wants to provide a safe and welcoming environment for people of all genders, gender-expression, sexual orientation, dress, age, race, religion, national origin or ancestry, creed, disability, or involvement/non-involvement in any group or activity at BCAEA sponsored events or venues. We expect staff and attendees to behave in a respectful and reasonable manner at all times. Any harassment or discrimination to any individual or group is unwelcome at our event.
• Vancoufur has a zero tolerance on criminal harassment as defined in Section 264 of the Criminal Code of Canada. This also includes Sexual assault as per Section 150 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
• If an attendee feels they are being criminally harassed or assaulted, fear for your safety, witness harassment of others, or sexual assault of others IMMEDIATELY contact Con Ops, a Ranger, a BCAEA Board Member, or contact the police. Upon receiving a complaint, the BCAEA event staff will offer sanctuary in a safe and controlled location, and/or offer a phone to contact emergency services or relevant support group. Each complaint will be documented, investigated, and dealt with thoroughly with consequences potentially including, but not limited to, revocation of membership without refund, ejection from the site, and/or the involvement of local authorities.
• Attendees are encouraged to report incidents to Con Ops or a Ranger IMMEDIATELY. Your safety is priority and we are committed to treating every incident with respect and professionalism. Don’t leave your report until later, as once the event is over, our ability to address the issue is limited.
• Vancoufur is NOT the place to start or continue disputes. Our staff cannot resolve existing external (outside of con) interpersonal conflicts or pre-emptively ban someone from attending based solely upon such. Our events are gathering places where one can meet and share common interests with others.
• Behavior that is disruptive and detrimental will not be tolerated.
• Vancoufur will enforce a peace bond, or restraining order, provided the appropriate legal paperwork has been submitted to chair@vancoufur.org or board@bcanthroevents.org prior to the event start date.
• Cosplay is not consent. No means no. Always ask for photos, hugs, etc and respect that no means no.

Limitation of Liability

Vancoufur aims to take reasonable care to ensure the safety of its attendees. However, attendees should be aware of their well-being at all times. Additionally, certain voluntary programming at the convention (fursuit events, parades, games) may present an additional risk of injury.

By registering for the convention and accepting a convention badge, you agree to release Vancoufur, the BCAEA and its associated directors, staff and volunteers from any liability or claims arising from loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by you or by your property arising from attendance at the convention. This agreement is binding upon you, as well as your heirs, next of kin, executors and administrators.

Violations and Appeals

When you purchase a Vancoufur Membership, you agree to abide by and be bound by the rules set forth in this Code of Conduct and the AUP. Convention Board, Staff and Rangers have the authority to enforce the Code of Conduct and AUP rules. Violations at the event, depending on severity, may result in membership being revoked temporarily, such as for a night or day; membership being revoked for the duration of the event, or in severe cases, membership may result in a temporary or permanent ban from BCAEA events.

Code of Conduct violations may result in one or more of the following actions taken against those responsible:

• Warning issued by Convention Staff or Rangers
• Suspension of access to one or more areas of Vancoufur
• Temporary or indefinite revocation of attendance/participation in all Vancoufur activities and events without refund.
• Further action taken by hotel/venue management.
• Notification and involvement of law enforcement.
• Civil and/or criminal prosecution.

In the case of dispute, appeals may be made to the Chair, whose decision is final at the event. Appeals after the event may be made to the Board of Directors of the BCAEA.

Conclusion