Event Safety & Expectations Guidelines
The Barbershop Harmony Society is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming community for all participants before, during, and after events.
All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, BHS staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by these Event Safety & Expectations Guidelines. This applies to all events sponsored by the BHS and its subsidiaries and affiliates (examples include, but are not limited to, districts, chapters, international entities, etc.) and those sponsored by organizations other than BHS (examples include, but are not limited to, vendors and sponsors) but held in conjunction with BHS-sponsored events and represented as BHS-affiliated events, in public or private facilities.
Personal Safety and Security
In any emergency or if you are concerned for your safety, call 911.Then immediately ask for help from BHS and event staff, on-site security, or venue personnel.
BHS will work with venue staff and other local organizations to ensure participants are safe. We ask that all attendees report any questionable or concerning activity to BHS staff or venue staff so that they can take immediate action. No concern is too small- if you see something, say something.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Use the buddy system when going to and from the event venue(s), especially during early or late hours. Seek other Barbershoppers to walk together when leaving the building.
Barbershoppers often proudly wear their badges around the convention city during events; we nevertheless urge awareness so attendees do not appear as tourists and unfamiliar with the location.
Don’t carry a lot of cash or credit cards. Leave in your hotel room safe.
Don’t leave personal property unattended anywhere, anytime.
If consuming alcoholic beverages, please drink responsibly, and do not leave drinks unattended. BHS and staff have the right to deny service to participants for any reason and may require a participant to leave the event.
The Society follows the laws and regulations for the age limit for the service of alcohol. Under no circumstances, even if a parent or guardian consents, may anyone attending an event of the Society, its districts, or affiliates permit someone under the legal age to consume alcohol at such event. Society members who consume alcohol at Activities where Youth are present must be particularly careful to demonstrate responsible usage.
Expected Behaviors
The BHS Board of Directors (the “Board”) acknowledges that the actions and behaviors of all people in barbershop are a critical part of our culture, especially at events. To that end, the Society Code of Ethics is guided by our Core Values and Statements of Affirmation. Taken together, these exemplify what is considered a “person of good character”, which is the behavior expected at all BHS events.
BHS Statement on Harassment
BHS does not condone any form of harassment, intimidation, or discrimination, including but not limited to sexual harassment by attendees or participants at our events. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, BHS asks that you immediately seek safety and inform a staff member (if available). Additionally, an ethics complaint may be submitted at any time to report violations of the Society’s Code of Ethics. The Ethics Committee will investigate the matter and take appropriate action on any acts of harassment, including possible suspension or revocation of Society membership, consistent with our Statements of Affirmation and Code of Ethics.
Read the Barbershop Harmony Society's Statement on Harassment.
BHS reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of inappropriate behaviors, and BHS reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future events.
Examples of Inappropriate Behaviors
Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
Physical or verbal abuse of any person: attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, BHS staff member, service provider, or other event guest.
- Examples of inappropriate behavior include but are not limited to:
Inappropriate verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, and national origin.
Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images or speech in public spaces, presentations, or performances.
Threatening or stalking any person; attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, BHS staff member, service provider, or other event guest.
Unwelcome or persistent seeking of attention or personal requests of any kind.
Unwelcome personal photography, video, or other social media posts of event attendees.
Intentional disruption of performances or presentations.
Youth Policy
In keeping with the Society's commitment to maintain high standards of personal conduct by its members and to provide a wholesome environment in which the activities of the Society and its subordinate units take place, and in order to support and sustain the Society's good name and reputation in the communities that it serves, the Board has adopted a Youth Policy Statement.
The Youth Policy shall apply to all activities of the Society or any of its subsidiaries, districts, and chapters, and to all activities of Society members where they are (or may reasonably be expected to be) identified as being members of, or acting on behalf of, the Society… when such activities… involve (or may be anticipated to involve) participation by Youth.
Examples of Other Inappropriate Activities
The recording or transmission of any performance, educational sessions, presentations, or other content of any format is strictly prohibited. BHS reserves the right to ban sources of recordings or transmissions.
Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitations for services. BHS reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
Any direct selling or promotion of products/services outside of the approved exhibit hall space is prohibited.
Adapted from source: American Society of Association Executives™ (ASAE), the premier source of learning, knowledge, and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession.