Code of Conduct Agreement
The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is committed to adhering and honoring the highest standards of ethical conduct in the performance of their responsibilities on the board and by signing below, pledge to accept this code as a minimum guideline for ethical conduct during our annual conferences.
AAAM is committed to providing a welcoming and harassment-free space for its members and others who attend, participate in, and support AAAM conferences, events, meetings, and online programming.
Our staff, board, and members are committed to honoring the diverse, equitable and inclusive practices that embrace and support people, and collaborative partners from all backgrounds. does not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any form amongst its membership and at its events.
Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of others based on real or perceived characteristics or identities. Harassment includes but is not limited to:
- deliberate misgendering;
- derogatory comments in face-to-face and online spaces;
- intimidation or unwanted attention based on race, ethnicity, color, nationality, religion, age, class, ability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sexual identity, appearance/presentation, physical disability, and other characteristics or identities;
- racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise discriminatory jokes or language;
- suggestions of retaliation by the harasser if the harassed person(s) reports;
- sustained, non-constructive disruption of programming
- threats or acts of violence;
- unwelcome sexual attention, including unwelcome comments or dialogue of a physical or sexual nature or unsolicited physical contact.
- unwelcome sexual attention, including unwelcome comments or dialogue of a physical or sexual nature or unsolicited comments in webinars, discussion boards, chat rooms, etc
Our community norms are strengthened when members communicate these problems when they arise. In accordance with this effort, participants of AAAM events are encouraged to immediately report instances of harassment that they experience or witness to the AAAM Executive Director and/or Board of Directors.
AAAM will investigate all complaints and will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible. Anyone who is found to have engaged in harassment will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include the following: (1) a written reprimand or censure; (2) a request for resignation; (3) removal of such person from the individual’s position within AAAM; or (4) termination of the individual’s membership, employment, engagement, and/or participation in current and/or future AAAM operated, sponsored and/or affiliated events. No individual will be retaliated against for making a complaint or assisting with the investigation of a complaint.
AAAM seeks constructive resolutions to disagreements, which can yield new ways of seeing and thinking.
All participants at the AAAM annual meeting and other AAAM programming acknowledge this policy and note their willingness to abide by it by registering and attending.