Code of Conduct

Background

All VAGARA members, as well as all attendees, speakers, presenters, and exhibitors at any VAGARA-sponsored event, are subject to the Code of Conduct and agree to acknowledge and abide by the Code of Conduct when registering for or attending an event, meeting, or training session, or when joining or renewing their membership in VAGARA.

VAGARA welcomes all people, regardless of background or personal characteristics, and places a high premium on diversity, inclusion, and equity in its work.

Conduct of VAGARA Members, Guests, Meeting Attendees, or Online Participants

Any VAGARA member, vendor partner, or affinity group partner will conduct themselves in such a way as to demonstrate the ethical integrity demanded by VAGARA or those affiliated with the Association.

VAGARA members are expected to behave professionally in their conduct as government information professionals and officers in all forums, including, but not limited to:

• message boards and other online forums;
• conferences or any other VAGARA-sponsored event;
• VAGARA committees and other collaborative endeavors; and
• any other formal setting which involves interaction between VAGARA members and affiliated organizations.

Members, guests, and attendees at VAGARA events should communicate in a clear, concise, and courteous manner at all times.

Behavior that is not acceptable includes: unwelcome or offensive verbal comments or nonverbal expressions related to: age; appearance or body size; employment or military status; ethnicity; gender identity or expression; individual lifestyles; marital status; national origin; immigration status; physical or cognitive ability; political affiliation; sexual orientation; race; or religion. Harassment can also include use of sexual and/or discriminatory images in public spaces (including online); deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; bullying behavior; physical or intimate partner violence; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention in any form. Discrimination and bigotry are not acceptable.

Content presented at VAGARA conferences, meetings, or online may at times deal with sensitive subject matters, ranging from visually sensitive historical material to explicit language or images. This document is not intended to constrain scholarly or professional presentation, discourse, or debate, as long as these exchanges are conducted in a respectful manner.

Incident Reporting

Incidents in violation of this Code of Conduct can be reported to the registration desk at an event, or to the VAGARA board using the contact form. Individuals wishing to make an anonymous report may submit it using this online submission form.

If you are experiencing or witness an incident involving physical danger to someone, dial 911.

VAGARA’s Response to Violations of the Code of Conduct

VAGARA takes your privacy and safety seriously. If you indicate that you are willing to be contacted, VAGARA may reach out to you. All reports and inquiries will be addressed in confidence by the VAGARA Board.

For guests and other participants of VAGARA events, actions or incidents that violate the Code of Conduct may lead to the revocation of any event-related privileges granted to the individual in question. Anyone who violates the Code of Conduct at an event may be expelled from that event by the VAGARA President without a refund of event fees and/or dues. Those who violate the Code of Conduct in an online space may be denied access at the discretion of the event moderator or the VAGARA President.

The VAGARA Board, at its discretion, may ban violators from attending a specific VAGARA event, including, but not limited to, the annual conference, and/or from participating in subcommittees, awards competitions, or other VAGARA programs or activities. Repeated violations of the Code of Conduct may lead to the suspension or termination of an individual’s or entity’s VAGARA membership without a refund of event fees and/or dues.

The VAGARA Code of Conduct is based in part on the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA) Code of Conduct, accessed November 20, 2025.