ACA Connects represents small and mid-sized companies who are delivering high-speed broadband, video, voice and other communications services in communities across America, including in rural areas. To support these efforts, ACA Connects fosters a collaborative environment where our members, associate members, staff, and guests can share ideas, information, best practices, and resources. The success of our mission is reliant upon a community and environment that is collaborative, positive, and inclusive. Our members, associate members, staff, and guests will be treated with dignity and respect at all times. To that end, ACA Connects establishes the following Code of Conduct to ensure proper behavior by all participants in every activity, initiative, and event ACA Connects sponsors or with which it is affiliated. ACA Connects is dedicated to providing an environment that is inclusive for everyone, without exception, and that is free from harassment and any unlawful discrimination. ACA Connects will not tolerate any such behavior of any type and will address and resolve any allegation promptly.
EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
ACA Connects expects that members, associate members, staff, and guests will at any activity, initiative, and event ACA Connects sponsors or with which it is affiliated:
- Be considerate, respectful, and welcoming to all.
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior, including in discussions or the distribution of materials.
- Refrain from unwanted or aggressive solicitation of others.
DUTY TO REPORT
Members, associate members, staff, and guests at any activity, initiative, and event ACA Connects sponsors or with which it is affiliated should promptly report to the ACA Connects staff or leadership any harassment or improper behavior they personally incur, or they observe that they believe violates the Code of Conduct.
NO RETALIATION
ACA Connects will take reasonable steps to ensure that an individual reporting harassment or other improper behavior that violates the Code of Conduct suffers no retaliation.
CONFIDENTIALITY
ACA Connects will take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of any individual reporting harassment or other improper behavior that violates the Code of Conduct.
DUTY TO INVESTIGATE
ACA Connects will designate an appropriate employee or officer to promptly investigate and make a determination about any allegation of harassment or improper behavior that violates the Code of Conduct.
CONSEQUENCES OF IMPROPER BEHAVIOR THAT VIOLATE THE CODE OF CONDUCT
Should ACA Connects find that an individual has violated the Code of Conduct, it will inform that individual immediately and demand that the improper behavior cease. ACA Connects also may take any other action it deems appropriate to stop the improper behavior. Should the offender not comply with the ACA Connects demand to cease the improper behavior or for more egregious behavior, ACA Connects may temporarily ban or permanently expel the offender and/or the offender’s company from ACA Connects activities and events with no refund.
