Attendee Code of Conduct

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Florida Apartment Association (FAA) is a professional organization. Our programs and events [hereinafter “events”] are designed to inform, connect, engage, and inspire property management professionals and our valued supplier partners throughout the state. 

This Code of Conduct establishes conduct expectations for persons who participate in FAA events, programs, or meetings. The Code is designed to properly balance legal compliance, the integrity and efficacy of FAA, and member safety while embedding appropriate safeguards to ensure that accused individuals receive a fair process. This policy applies to FAA members, non-members, leaders, and volunteers, including but not limited to officers, directors, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, members, event attendees, and volunteers (“Attendees”). It applies to misconduct that takes place at or in connection with any FAA event, including but not limited to board, council, committee, work group, and task force meetings, convenings, FAA-adjacent events (e.g., a non-FAA sponsored dinner held in connection with the FAA Annual Conference), and all other FAA programs, online forums, events, and activities, whether in person, via telephone, online, or otherwise. 

The Code of Conduct includes the following sections:

Note: You may click the title of any section below to navigate directly to it.

• Definitions
• Encouraged Behaviors [Best practices for event attendees]
• Unacceptable Behaviors [Behaviors subject to potential enforcement action]
• Reporting Procedures [How to submit a report/complaint of a potential Code of Conduct violation]
• Fair Proceedings/Bias [How reports will be investigated and adjudicated]
• Enforcement and Remedies [Potential consequences for violations of the Code of Conduct]

  • Appeals

• False Reporting
• Retaliation, and
• Code Review Committee. [Information on the composition of the Code Review Committee]

The Attendee Code of Conduct is designed to be informative and actionable, but it is not an exhaustive list of desired or unacceptable behaviors. As such, it is expected that attendees at FAA events govern themselves in a professional, congenial, and respectful manner at all times.

DEFINITIONS

1. Bullying. Bullying is unwanted aggressive behavior targeting a person or group of people that involves an actual or perceived power imbalance and repeated aggression. Bullying can be verbal (e.g., ridicule or disparaging remarks); it can be exacted through intimidation; or it can take the form of professional interference, such as sabotaging another’s success.
2. Discrimination. Discrimination is differential and unfavorable treatment based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity), pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local law and codes.
3. Code Review Committee. The Code Review Committee, as defined in the FAA Bylaws and the Code of Conduct policy, monitors the implementation and enforcement of the Code of Conduct.
4. Harassment. Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under federal or state law where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of access to a member benefit or participation in a member event, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create an environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Petty slights, annoyances, and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious) do not amount to harassment.
5. Retaliation. Retaliation is the mistreatment of or the threatened mistreatment of an individual for filing a complaint pursuant to this Code of Conduct or participating in any manner in FAA’s resolution of a complaint filed pursuant to this Code of Conduct.
6. Sexual Harassment. Sexual harassment is a specific form of Harassment (defined above) based on sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or any other sub-classification recognized by applicable federal or state law.

ENCOURAGED BEHAVIORS

• Be Respectful. Follow the “Golden Rule” and treat others the way you wish to be treated. Be mindful of your fellow attendees' personal and professional boundaries.
  • Respect other attendees' desire to engage or not engage in conversations during events. 
  • “Read the room.” Our events are not the appropriate forum to get a contract signed, secure an interview, or attempt to lock in a meeting. Use these opportunities to make new contacts, build on existing relationships, and establish rapport.
• Play by the rules. Familiarize yourself with event rules, policies, regulations, and laws prior to attending any event. 
  • Be aware of and comply with local, state, and federal laws.
  • Follow the posted rules of the event venue (i.e. pool hours, quiet hours, dress code).
  • Ensure that you follow your company/employer’s applicable protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Dress the part. Be mindful that even themed association events are professional, by design. Attendees should avoid wearing overtly or intentionally provocative or offensive attire. As the saying goes, “Dress today for the job you want tomorrow.” 
• Arrive on time. Showing up late to meetings and events is disruptive to fellow attendees. Be mindful of schedules and traffic when planning your departure.
• Enjoy responsibly. Some FAA events may include, when appropriate, the opportunity to enjoy an adult beverage. Know your limits and remember you are in a professional setting even if it might be more casually oriented. 
  • Plan ahead! If you choose to consume please make appropriate travel or hotel arrangements, stay safe, and comply with the law.
  • Respect other attendees' choice to consume alcoholic beverages or not.
• Build your professional network. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the industry, FAA events are the perfect forum to connect with your colleagues and fellow industry professionals. 
  • Tip: Today’s property manager is tomorrow’s regional manager, vice president, etc. The apartment industry provides tremendous upward mobility on the management and supplier side of the business, and professional relationships commonly span years or decades in the apartment industry. Make it a point to engage with everyone — not just the perceived “decision makers.”
• Be mindful of the health and wellness of others. If you are “under the weather” or contagious, please stay home. In many cases event registrations may be transferred to another team member within your company.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS

It is expected that all attendees participate in FAA programs and events with the shared goal of creating an enjoyable, engaging and comfortable environment for all parties. Behavior on the part of any attendee(s) that compromises this goal could result in official action to remedy the situation.

Examples of unacceptable behaviors are described below, but this is not designed to be an exhaustive list. Other unacceptable behaviors not explicitly defined below may also warrant disciplinary action at the sole discretion of the Florida Apartment Association/Code Review Committee.

• Inappropriate Use of Controlled Substances. Attendance at any FAA event in a state of intoxication or inebriation. Substance abuse, including over consumption or use of illegal/illicit substances, is strictly prohibited. 
  • FAA does not condone the use of illegal drugs or substances at any time, including at or in conjunction with any hosted event.
  • When appropriate, and at their sole discretion, venue or association staff may decide to stop serving alcoholic beverages to an individual or group of individuals. 
• Threatening Behavior. Aggressive, rowdy, belligerent or harassing behavior directed toward fellow attendees, staff, venue personnel or guests. This includes threats of or perpetrated acts of verbal and/or physical harm.
• Unwanted Romantic Attention. Unwanted romantic or sexual attention, advances, unwelcome physical interactions and/or sexual harassment. 
• Discrimination and Harassment. Event attendees shall refrain from conduct that amounts to discrimination, harassment, or bullying, based on, but not limited to, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, citizenship, language, political affiliation, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, physical appearance, age, or any other protected classification under applicable federal or state law. 
• Health and Safety. No event attendee shall engage in conduct that imposes inherent danger to the health, safety, or well-being of another person.
• Inappropriate Attire. Wearing or displaying personal ornamentation that is inappropriate for a professional work environment (items designed or intended to be vulgar or offensive).
• Undermining FAA Reputation. Event attendees shall not engage in conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity or reputation of the Florida Apartment Association.
• Antitrust. Event attendees shall avoid collusion on matters that may amount to a violation of federal and state antitrust laws. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, member discussions (whether in person or virtual) implicating price-fixing, bid-rigging, or resale price maintenance; tying and reciprocity; exclusive dealing arrangements; monopolization; output restrictions; group boycotts; prices, fees, or pricing policies; staff salaries; terms of sale; specific R&D sales or marketing plans; restrictions on output or production; division of customers, territories, or locations; or any other information that may amount to an unfair restraint on trade. Event Attendees shall, at all times, abide by any FAA antitrust policy that is in effect.

REPORTING PROCEDURES

for violations of the Code of Conduct

1. Reporting Alleged Infractions. Any member, volunteer, leader, employee, or third party may report an alleged violation of this Code of Conduct to the FAA Executive Vice President or FAA’s General Counsel. Reports should be made in as timely a manner as possible.

2. Notice. The Executive Vice President shall notify any attendee who is accused of misconduct that violates this Code (the “Accused”) in writing of the alleged misconduct and the specific provision of the Code that is implicated. 

3. Opportunity to Be Heard. The Accused may request to meet with the Code Review Committee, as the disciplinary body, directly in order for the decision-maker(s) to make a fully informed decision.

4. Confidentiality. The Code Review Committee shall endeavor to keep the matter confidential, to the extent that it is able, although there may be circumstances where the Code Review Committee must disclose limited identifying information to fully and fairly investigate the allegations. All Code Review Committee discussions regarding the application of the Code of Conduct to a representative are confidential. 

5. Deliberations. The Code Review Committee will meet in private to determine whether the allegations have been substantiated by a preponderance of the evidence, and if the allegations are substantiated, to deliberate as to an appropriate remedy. 

6. Voting. Once deliberations are completed, the Code Review Committee will decide the matter by majority vote. 

FAIR PROCEEDINGS/BIAS

FAA shall take care to ensure that no decision makers harbor an irreconcilable conflict that might bias the proceedings. Any Code Review Committee member with a conflict will be asked to recuse themselves from their appointment to the Committee and the voting process. FAA may fill any vacant position on an ad hoc basis with an unbiased designee.

ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES

The Code Review Committee may impose any remedy commensurate with a substantiated infraction, provided that the remedy is allowable under FAA’s Bylaws and policies. Member leaders (e.g. Board Members, committee representatives, etc.) who are found to be in violation of the Code may be removed from their leadership role(s) in the organization, provided that such action is taken consistently with FAA’s Bylaws and policies. For severe infractions, as determined in FAA’s sole discretion, members may be suspended or removed from FAA membership, pursuant to and consistent with the FAA Bylaws and policies. Appropriate remedies may include, but are not limited to:

• Private reprimand/censure (with or without probation)

• Public reprimand/censure (with or without probation)

• Expulsion from the FAA event without warning or refund

• Implementation of conditions upon attendance at future FAA events

• Removal of the individual as a Board member or other volunteer leadership position

• Temporary or permanent ban on holding FAA leadership positions

• Temporary or permanent restriction from attendance at or participation in future FAA events

• Temporary or permanent ban on contacting FAA staff and/or volunteer leaders

• Suspension from or revocation of membership in FAA

• Removal from FAA membership

The FAA Executive Vice President or their designated staff representative shall have the authority to enforce minor violations of the Code of Conduct in circumstances where time is of the essence (e.g. asking an attendee to leave an event or program that is currently taking place).

APPEALS

Once the Code Review Committee decision has been communicated to the Attendee, the Attendee may submit a written appeal to the Executive Committee within five (5) business days.

Appeals must be based on one or more of the following grounds:

1. An arbitrary or capricious determination; 
2. A departure from the procedures described in this Code of Conduct that significantly and materially impacted the decision;
3. A decision influenced by bias or a material conflict of interest;
4. A disproportional sanction relative to the misconduct, or
5. A decision at odds with applicable federal, state, or local law.  The written appeal should outline specific reasons why the Committee’s decision should be reviewed.

The Executive Committee shall review the appeal and decide whether to:

1. Reject the appeal or;
2. Send the appeal back to the Code Review Committee with instructions as to:
   1.  Why the matter is being sent back,
   2. How to correct the matter, and
   3. A timeline for re-convening to correct the matter and redeliberate.

In accordance with the aforementioned Fair Proceedings section of this policy any Executive Committee member that may harbor an irreconcilable conflict that might bias the proceedings must recuse themselves from any deliberations and the voting process. 

FALSE REPORTING

Knowingly making a false accusation of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, or knowingly providing false information in the course of an investigation of a report, may be grounds for appropriate disciplinary action. A complaint made in good faith, even if found to be unsubstantiated, will not be considered a false accusation.

RETALIATION

Retaliation against an individual for reporting a Code violation or for participating in an investigation of a Code violation is strictly prohibited. Acts of retaliation should be reported immediately and will be promptly addressed.

CODE REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Code Review Committee is charged with implementation and enforcement of the Code of Conduct. Members of the Code Review Committee are appointed by the FAA President and shall serve one year terms. 

Note: Members of the Code Review Committee are not disclosed to the general public or membership-at-large.

The Code Review Committee shall consist of members in the following categories: 

• One (1) FAA past president who shall also serve as Committee Chair,

• Two (2) current FAA Board Members who are employed by property management entities,

• One (1) Florida Suppliers Council representative, 

• And, one (1) FAA affiliate association executive. 

The FAA President may participate as an ex officio member of the Code Review Committee, and the FAA Executive Vice President shall serve as the staff liaison. The FAA General Counsel shall serve in an advisory role to the Code Review Committee.