FAQ & Code of Conduct
If you have any questions or concerns,
please email Nathalie at [email protected].
FAQ
We look forward to bringing together our members, partners, and an exciting array of speakers for this conference. Please be patient with us as we figure out a new way to offer valuable and enjoyable events while staying flexible enough to adapt to challenges and unforeseen circumstances. We really appreciate it!
What is your COVID safety plan?
It is our top priority to offer a safe and enjoyable conference for all and to send you home brimming with ideas and inspiration. In addition to following all local health orders and policies of our host venues, we are implementing additional safety measures to protect the most vulnerable among us. Should local health orders or policies change in a way that affects your registration (i.e. capacity limit decrease), we will be in touch with delegates about a change of plans.
If you are feeling ill (COVID symptoms or otherwise), please do not attend the conference. Please consider taking a rapid test before traveling to Nelson for the conference. The symptoms of COVID-19 have evolved, here is a look at a list of symptoms.
If you experience symptoms of illness during the conference, please inform the organizing team and return to your accommodation. If you develop COVID symptoms up to 10 days after you return home, please get in touch with us via email so we can inform other attendees of a possible exposure.
In the event of schedule changes (due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances), we will do our best to offer an alternate setup for sessions. This may include remote speakers, smaller panels or rescheduling sessions for a later date.
Should local health orders change drastically and in a way that affects your registration (i.e. capacity limit decrease), we will be in touch with delegates about a change of plans.
What is your masking policy?
While we are not requiring delegates to wear masks, we encourage you to make the choice that is best for your health and safety.
What will accessibility look like for the conference?
What you can expect:
- We are asking that attendees not wear perfumes or colognes to help create a more neutral space for those with scent sensitivities.
- We will have a quiet/decompression space at the conference hotel for delegates who want to use it.
- Visit our Accessibility & Venues page for accessibility descriptions for the main conference venues.We are connecting with our local partners to provide you with accurate and helpful information on physical accessibility, way-finding, accommodations for visually and hearing-impaired people, sensory considerations, washrooms, etc.
- We will have an on-site contact for any questions and concerns around accessibility who will be introduced to conference attendees at the start of each day so they are easy to find. Their goal will be to help meet your needs as best they can. Before the conference, if delegates have any questions around conference accessibility or would like to share their needs, please email Nathalie, our conference planner, at [email protected].
Will the presentations be available virtually?
This conference will take place in person with a focus on live engagement and interaction between delegates, speakers and facilitators.
After the conference, we intend to continue the conversations started in our sessions by hosting webinars in summer and fall of 2024.
What if I have to cancel?
80% refunds are available until April 17th, 2024. Registrations received after April 17th are non-refundable.
Delegates who are unable to attend Conference may transfer their registration to another individual by reaching out to Nathalie Picard, please email [email protected]. The original registration rate and any event tickets purchased will transfer to the new attendee. Transfers are possible up until April 29th, 2023.
Can I receive Professional Development Credit for attending Conference Sessions?
Members of the Planning Institute of British Columbia can self-report credits (CPLs) for attending any of the conference sessions.
Additionally, Heritage BC has identified sessions that we think local planners in British Columbia would be interested in attending. Find those sessions and the number of credits that you could receive by looking for the PIBC logo in our program schedule
Do you have questions about the 2024 Conference that haven’t been answered here?
Contact Nathalie, Heritage Program Coordinator, at [email protected]
Conference Code of Conduct
Heritage BC aims to promote an environment that is characterised by professionalism, collegiality, respect, dignity, and cooperation. Conference delegates are expected to uphold the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences.
If you have questions about our Conference Code of Conduct, please contact us at [email protected]
Harassment Policy
Personal harassment or discriminatory conduct will not be tolerated. If you experience or witness harassment or discriminatory conduct, we encourage you to reach out to [email protected] or a person at the conference with a badge that identifies them as a member of the conference planning team. Heritage BC will carefully review all reports and take appropriate action.
Examples of Harassment and Discriminatory Conduct:
- Threats, acts, or the endorsement of violence, specifically:
- Threats, acts, or the endorsement of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, etc.
- Unwanted physical contact or sexual attention
- Purposefully intimidating, isolating, or destabilizing an individual
- Slander/gossip with the intent of discrediting or embarrassing
- Intentionally devaluing an individual based on their identity
- Intentional outing and/or deliberate disregard for aspects of an individual’s identity. This includes but is not limited to:
- Sustained misgendering
- Use of a rejected or deadname
- Sharing private details of a person’s lived experience without their consent.
Examples that are NOT Harassment and Discriminatory Conduct:
- “Reverse Racism”
- Reasonable levels of stress, conflict, or disagreements that may arise from the exploration of challenging ideas and perspectives
- Having problematic or oppressive behaviours challenged
- Physical contact between consenting individuals
- Communication of boundaries, including but not limited to:
- An individual’s desire to retain a physical distance due to COVID-19.
- An individual’s refusal to hold space for ignorance and/or refusal to educate.
The Government of Canada provides detailed information on harassment and a tool to guide conference delegates here.
Cultural Safety & Support Liaison
Heritage BC will introduce designated and identifiable Cultural Safety & Support Liaisons at the start of the conference. These individuals will be available to hold space and talk with delegates at any point to process sensitive situations and difficult emotions that may arise during the conference. Cultural Safety & Support Liaisons will be introduced to conference attendees and will be included on the conference website with a photo.
What to do if you witness harassment in the workplace
In any given situation involving harassment, bullying, or discrimination, there is a multitude of ways to respond or react. As a bystander, you have the power to create real-deal change. If you report an incident to Heritage BC, we will ask for the following information:
- The name of the perpetrator;
- The date, or approximate dates, that the situation that forms the basis of the complaint occurred;
- A description of the complaint and how the situation breaches the Code of Conduct;
- Any information that might substantiate the complaint;
- Note: Your private information will only be accessible to the designated Heritage BC safety coordinator and won’t be shared without your express permission.
If you would like to discuss an incident directly with a Heritage BC team member, please contact us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 604-417-7243 ext. 103.
What to expect after reporting an incident:
If a conference delegate has been deemed to have violated the Code of Conduct, the following disciplinary action may be taken:
- The delegate may have their conference registration revoked and would not be reimbursed for any registration fees that have already been paid.
- The delegate may be prohibited from participating in Heritage BC online and/or in-person events for a period of time or indefinitely.