APA Rules of Conduct: Anti-Harassment & Anti-Discrimination Policy

Download the APA Rules of Conduct

as of December 2024

Introduction

The American Planning Association (APA) is committed to establishing, maintaining, and protecting a welcoming environment free of discrimination and harassment in any form, for everyone. To that end, APA is issuing these Rules of Conduct for all APA functions — both in person and virtual — including its online communities. It is our hope that these Rules will promote a welcoming environment for all who attend APA meetings and other APA functions.

A. SCOPE

The APA Rules of Conduct apply to all participants (members and non-members), guests, sponsors, volunteers, and vendors/exhibitors at all official Association functions, including but not limited to:

1. National conferences and meetings, including meeting breakout sessions, tours, and social events, as well as all meeting-related events that are sponsored by the Association;
2. APA online discussion boards, APA social media groups, and emails addressing APA policies or other APA issues;
3. Meetings, retreats, social events, conference calls and any online or email communications of the APA Board of Directors, AICP Commission, APA Foundation Board of Trustees, Chapter President’s Council, Divisions Council, and Student Representatives Council, as well as meetings, calls and digital communications of national committees and task forces; and
4. Meetings, retreats, social events, and conference calls sponsored by any APA Division and any online or email communications involving Division policies or issues.

These Rules also apply to all conduct by members of the APA Board of Directors and AICP Commission when acting in their capacity as leaders, regardless of whether such conduct occurs at an APA function. Members of the APA Board or the AICP Commission will be considered as acting in their capacity as leaders when they are attending an event as a representative of the APA or the AICP, and when they are speaking on behalf of the APA or the AICP.

Coverage

If an APA or AICP member experiences, witnesses, or is accused of, harassment or discrimination at the member’s own or another institution, at a place of work, at a research facility, or online, but not in a context addressed above, APA will not become involved. We encourage members to contact the appropriate officer/official(s) at that location or institution who handles such issues. The APA strongly encourages all of our chapters to adopt their own rules of conduct that apply to chapter-sponsored events and chapter leaders. The APA will not become involved in incidents at the chapter level, but will consult with any chapter that seeks its input as the chapter considers adoption or modification of its rules of conduct. The APA requests that any chapter that takes disciplinary action against a member based on its own rules of conduct advise APA’s Welcoming Environment Committee of that action. Planning Student Organizations should comply with applicable rules of their sponsoring academic institution.

B. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

To nurture a welcoming APA environment, some behaviors are expressly prohibited. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

1. Harassment or discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, or any other group identity or basis protected by federal law;
2. Sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), demeaning gender-based comments, or unwelcome physical contact;
3. Harassment or discrimination based upon any position of influence;
4. Refusing to provide goods or services to a person or group of people based on gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, or any other group identity or basis protected by federal law;
5. Abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, ridiculing, lewd, or demeaning language, conduct, or presentation materials (visual or auditory);
6. Bullying or displaying a pattern of repeatedly and deliberately harming and humiliating another person;
7. Yelling despite being asked to stop, offensive ridiculing, or threats (verbal or physical);
8. Physical violence or threat of violence; and
9. Retaliation aimed at a complainant or anyone who reports an incident or who aids in a complaint investigation.

Final Comments:

It is important to recognize that the APA is not a law enforcement entity. While we are striving to offer a welcoming environment to all attendees at our functions, we are not responsible for the conduct of any individual. We assume no duty to halt, limit, or address any problematic or illegal conduct, and we disclaim liability for conduct between and among any individuals.

Rather, in adopting and disseminating these Rules, APA's purpose is to encourage appropriate behavior and to address allegedly inappropriate behavior in a fair manner. We want to do what we reasonably can to help assure that all participants and attendees at APA functions are treated in a welcoming manner. It is our hope that these Rules will help to result in a welcoming environment for all who participate or attend APA functions.