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Expectations for Community Events

Thank you for your participation and support of our ACB community events. Our success depends on each one of you! The following community events policy was updated by the ACB Board of Directors on August 20, 2024. 

 

For All Submitting Events for Inclusion on the Community Events Schedule

 

Deadline to Submit an Event

To be included in the weekly schedule, which goes Sunday through Saturday, your event information must be received by the previous Wednesday using our Event Planners Form: https://bit.ly/2T88iI3.

Anything submitted after Wednesday of the previous week will be added to the daily schedule only if received by 4pm ET the previous business day. This submission is required for all events unless recurring.

Recurring Events

Recurring events need only use the form if there are changes to their event info, or they can be canceled via email community@acb.org.
 

Expectations for Holding a Community Event

By submitting an event, you are acknowledging you have read the below expectations and agree to abide by them.

  • Upholding the ACB Core Values:
  • Upholding the ACB Prohibited Conduct Policy.
  • To ensure the security of events, Zoom information must not be shared via social media or any public website.
  • All events must have at least one designated facilitator 18 or older to be responsible for the given event.
  • Facilitators must arrive ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time and if not in the room by the start time, the meeting will be canceled by the host.
  • All events will be for one hour unless requested for a half-hour, 90 minutes, or two hour time-slot. Longer events may be held on a case by case basis.
  • No more than three concurrent events will be scheduled at the same start time. Known blackout times will be shared in a weekly reminders communication.
  • Events held on ACB Media will be one hour. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis and are dependent on event content and resource availability.
  • Facilitators should not permit the sharing of personal contact information (professional contact information only).
  • All Community events will originate in an ACB Zoom account with phone numbers masked, and without the use of the waiting room or locked room features.
  • Upholding all terms of agreements and policies set forth by Zoom.
  • All events must have an ACB qualified host (separate from the facilitator) whose charge is to support the facilitator and ensure the event remains safe, respectful, and welcoming.
  • All events will be recorded to the cloud and saved for two weeks. Recordings will only be accessed by ACB for community policy violation investigations and are not for public consumption (unless previously approved for podcast or streaming).
  • Exemptions to the recording requirement may be made on a case by case basis with approval by the Community Support Committee after a review of a formal written proposal. This must include a structured program with defined governing rules and an agreement to read the following statement at the beginning of each event: “As part of the ACB Community Events schedule, we agree since this event is not being recorded, it will remain safe, respectful, and welcoming, and remind everyone to uphold ACB’s Code of Conduct which can be found on the acb.org website.
  • Those wishing to edit their own event for podcast will be sent the Zoom recording link by the end of business on the next business day.
  • Events should be family friendly and foster a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment (see Important Reminders below).
  • You understand substantiated violations may result in removal from the Community Events schedule.
  • ACB reserves the right to refuse an event if deemed inappropriate, concerning in nature, etc.

ACB Core Values

  • Integrity and Honesty
  • Respect
  • Collaboration
  • Flexibility
  • Initiative

Prohibited Conduct Policy

As part of our ongoing effort to ensure the ACB community is safe, respectful, and welcoming, all participants in virtual and in-person ACB events must read and agree to the policy below. ACB takes any violation of the policy seriously, and we encourage concerns and complaints be sent to the following email: report@acb.org. You may also leave a voicemail at: (866) 222-7720. The Human Resources/Payroll Specialist monitors these channels.  Your correspondence will be kept in confidence, fully investigated, and acted upon.

Read the complete policy here: https://acb.org/prohibited-conduct-policy

Important Reminders Concerning the Use of Zoom

American Council of the Blind (“ACB”) provides access to the web-based conference platform, Zoom, to support staff, affiliates, and members in Community Events. The Zoom platform is designed to promote collaboration by connecting users through voice, video, and screen-sharing capabilities. By the terms of the various Zoom services agreements and policies, ACB, its affiliates, and anyone holding an event as part of the Community Events platform are responsible for compliance with all laws pertaining to the content transmitted, displayed, uploaded, or viewed while using Zoom services.

As long as an event is scheduled as part of our Community Events, Zoom or any other conferencing platform should not be used to create or transmit material that is derogatory, defamatory, obscene or offensive, or unwelcome to others, nor to engage in any activity that is misleading, false or fraudulent, collect or gather user data without consent, violate the privacy of others or distribute confidential or personal information of others, nor to violate or infringe any intellectual property or proprietary rights of others, including copyrights.

Virtually any third-party work that you may come across in readable or experiential format such as books, magazines, journals, and newsletters (whether in hard copy or on a Website), computer programs and other software, sound, visual, and audiovisual works (whether photos, audio recordings, or video), are protected by copyright. Such third-party materials should not be displayed or otherwise used without obtaining the prior consent of the copyright owner in writing. Simply acknowledging the source of a work or crediting the author or creator is not a substitute for obtaining permission. Copyright does not protect things such as titles, names, slogans, ideas, facts and data, listings of ingredients or contents, and natural or self-evident facts. Sharing third-party content (e.g., music, movies, etc.) via Zoom, without prior written approval from the copyright holder is prohibited.

ACB asks that everyone use Zoom in a responsible and professional manner and be particularly careful in sharing material. Failure to obtain appropriate authorization could result in claims of infringement and/or violation of Zoom terms of use and policies.

Accountability

To maintain the integrity of our community events, all those facilitating and hosting events are expected to abide by these guidelines and expectations. Substantiated violations may result in temporary or permanent removal from inclusion on our Community Events schedule.

 

For All Participating in Community Events

 

Expectations for All Community Events

By participating in our Community Events, it is expected for all parties to uphold the ACB Core Values and Prohibited Conduct Policy. Everyone has a responsibility to do whatever necessary to ensure all events remain a safe place where all are respectful of one another.

Ensuring All Are Welcome

Community events are intended for everyone who wish to attend. To this end, we are requiring all events utilize the “passcode” feature of Zoom when setting up Zoom calls and refrain from using “Waiting Room.” Membership is not required for participation in Community Events; all are welcome!

Safety

All facilitators and hosts know not to allow the sharing of personal information during any of our events unless it is professional contact information. Please refrain from asking for or providing such.

Recording of calls

All calls held as part of community will be recorded and recordings will be held for two weeks from the date of the event. This is being done to protect all involved in community activities and recordings will only be accessed if there is an event or behavior called into question. Think of it as insurance.

Behavior and Resolution

All attendees of community events should be able to expect a safe and respectful environment. Inappropriate behavior during a call will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Any concerns by attendees of a community event brought to the attention of ACB will be documented and shared with the appropriate sponsoring body or host in an effort to work toward an expedient and satisfactory resolution for all parties.