AGS Event Participation Guideline

Your attendance at an AGS event means that you have read and will follow the AGS Code of Conduct and AGS Event Participation Guideline. 

We have established these AGS Event Participation Guidelines (AEPG) to preserve a climate that encourages both civil and fruitful dialogue. We reserve the right to suspend participation in AGS Events by anyone who has been found to violate our Code of Conduct and/or the AEPG. for participation in in-person or virtual American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Events (e.g., the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting, other conferences, webinars, and other meetings). 

Before attending an AGS event, carefully review our Code of Conduct and the AEGP. Inappropriate actions/comments that may include discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and may subject you to disciplinary action. Disciplinary actions include (among others) requesting the accused individual to stop the harassing behavior, removal/denial of access to the meeting, and disqualification from attending future meetings. For AGS members, in keeping with our By-Laws, we reserve the right to terminate membership.

The Rules

AGS prohibits: 

• Defamatory, abusive, profane, threatening, or offensive comments. Some examples of harassing behavior are:
• Unwelcome sexual advances, touching, or requests for sexual favors
• Unwelcome comments or behavior, including but not limited to drawings, written statements, social media posts, or verbal statements, including those related to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, sexual orientation, veteran status, or membership in another protected class
• Unwelcome teasing, joking, flirting, or touching based on actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual identity/orientation
• Retaliation
• Don't challenge or attack others. Discussions and comments are meant to stimulate conversation; they are not meant to create contention. Let others have their say, just as you should have yours. 
• Express only your personal opinions and only represent yourself as an organizational spokesperson when you are authorized to do so.

Reporting a Violation

Acting in Good Faith

Anyone filing a verbal or written complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation is required to act in good faith and to have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Any unsubstantiated allegations which prove to have been made maliciously or to have been knowingly false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

Confidentiality

Reports of violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the person who experienced the violation. Such reports will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation. 

How to Make a Complaint

For every AGS event, we will provide a list of people to whom a complaint may be reported. In addition, any person who experiences a violation may report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at any time (including during non-business hours) by postal mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the links and contact information listed below: 

American Geriatrics Society 
40 Fulton St, Ste 809
New York, NY 10038
Attn: Chief Executive Officer

Email: CEO@americangeriatrics.org 

Phone: 212-308-1414, press 9

Handling of Reported Violations

AGS will acknowledge receipt of a report promptly and will investigate reports of conduct violations. We will make every effort to fairly review and investigate complaints and will share the results with both the individual who reported the complaint and the individual who has been accused of violating the code of conduct. We will handle the complaints confidentially but reserve the right to notify others if the complaint is serious enough to warrant further (legal) action. Anonymous complaints will also be investigated, however, there may be limitations in our ability to determine what further action (if any) needs to be taken.

AGS will take appropriate action once an investigation is complete with the goal of preventing, correcting, and when necessary and possible, disciplining behavior that violates the law and/or AGS policies and guidelines. Potential disciplinary actions include (requesting the accused individual to stop the harassing behavior, removal/denial of access to the meeting, and disqualification from attending future meetings. For AGS members, in keeping with our By-Laws, we reserve the right to terminate membership.