Code of Conduct

Biographers International Organization (BIO) aims to promote the art and craft of biography, cultivate a diverse community of biographers, encourage public interest in biography, and provide educational and fellowship opportunities that support the work of biographers worldwide. For those reasons, members should not engage in: 

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form based on race, religion, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, appearance, national origin, ethnicity, or other group identity.
  • Sexual harassment or intimidation, including inappropriate overtures, unwelcome sexual attention, stalking, unsolicited physical contact, or quid pro quo harassment in-person or online.
  • The use of BIO meetings or materials, including the membership directory, to engage in harassment or intimidation via e-mail, text, social media, or phone.
  • Disorderly conduct in meetings or proceedings using language that is derogatory.
  • Plagiarizing the work of others.
  • Actions that can discredit BIO.

Harassment is defined as: 

  • Unwelcome conduct, including but not limited to offensive jokes, slurs, epithets and name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, offensive objects or pictures. 
  • Online harassment, including sending excessive or repetitive emails; emails with intimidating or threatening language; communicating offensive or derogatory comments; continuously sending critical or negative messages.

All BIO members and participants in BIO events and activities—including staff, speakers, guests, and attendees—are expected to observe these rules and behaviors during the activities themselves and in related interactions. 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

BIO asks all conference registrants, speakers at BIO events, and new members to read the Code of Conduct and agree to abide by it as a condition of participation. 

In addition, BIO asks its employees, contractors, officers, members of the Board of Directors, committee chairs, committee members, BIO coaches, roundtable hosts, and others in positions of leadership to make a commitment to actively and intentionally create a welcoming environment focused on the work of biography, free from inappropriate behavior. 

Reporting Procedures 

BIO takes complaints of misconduct seriously and encourages those who have experienced violations of the Code of Conduct to report them. Complaints shall be submitted in writing to BIO’s Executive Committee through the President, Executive Director, or any officer of the Board. A complainant may request assistance from any BIO officer or employee. The Executive Committee shall promptly review the complaint and determine the nature and extent of any further inquiry that may be needed to understand the circumstances giving rise to the complaint. 

The Executive Committee shall then refer to the Code of Conduct to determine whether corrective action is needed. If corrective action seems warranted, the Executive Committee shall contact the subject of the complaint to notify the individual of the complaint and obtain information.

To progress with sanctions, the Executive Committee will then call an Executive Session of the Board of Directors at which it will convey information gathered and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. A simple majority vote of the Board shall determine the corrective action. The Executive Committee shall contact the complainant about the results.

Anonymous complaints cannot be progressed to sanctions. 

If a report is submitted anonymously or if the complainant does not wish the accused to be notified, the Executive Committee shall keep the complaint in a confidential file but may not be able to take further action depending on the nature of the complaint. 

If the President, Executive Director, or other Executive Committee member, or board member is the subject of the complaint, that person or persons shall recuse themselves from any involvement in the handling of the complaint. 

Confidentiality 

BIO shall make every reasonable effort to protect the confidentiality of all parties. Confidentiality, however, is not absolute, and BIO may be obligated to inform those with legitimate reasons to know about the complaint. BIO encourages all parties to treat the matter with discretion. 

Non-Retaliation 

BIO strictly prohibits retaliation for reporting harassment, intimidation or discrimination, or for participating in an investigation relating to any complaint made. Possible sanctions for retaliation are the same as for other violations of BIO’s Code of Conduct. 

Sanctions 

Sanctions may include the following: 

  • A written warning that the inappropriate behavior must stop.
  • A suspension from BIO or its committees for a fixed period (e.g. 30, 60, 90 days). 
  • Immediate removal from the event, without refund. 
  • Denial of access to BIO venues and online communities. 
  • Withholding an honorarium. 
  • Prohibition from future speaking engagements. 
  • Removal from the Board, other leadership positions, or committees. 
  • Removal from membership and forfeiture of dues. 
  • Removal of member website and profile from BIO materials. 
  • Prohibition of future BIO membership. 

If the BIO board of directors wishes to progress anonymous complaints to sanctions in the case of sexual harassment, the board shall obtain outside legal advice before developing a policy.