{"id":53,"date":"2022-05-08T15:48:43","date_gmt":"2022-05-08T19:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.philcon.org\/?page_id=53"},"modified":"2023-10-29T14:45:40","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T18:45:40","slug":"policies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/philcon.org\/policies\/","title":{"rendered":"Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To help ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself and your fellow members of Philcon, please review and comply with the rules described here.<\/strong> We reserve the right to take any appropriate action, up to and including revoking the membership, without refund, or suspending the participation in Philcon, of anyone who refuses or fails to comply with any Philcon policy, hotel policy, or the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PHILCON 2023 VACCINATION AND MASK POLICY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Vaccination Against COVID-19 or a Negative PCR COVID-19 Test is Required<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone who is attending Philcon, in any capacity, must have had a COVID-19 booster vaccination or vaccination set on or after September 1, 2022 and before November 2, 2023.  This can be any form of COVID-19 vaccine including the original vaccines or any of the follow-on boosters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an alternative Philcon will accept proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours of picking up your badge at registration at the convention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We acknowledge, with sadness, that individuals who cannot meet one of the two requirements below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Vaccinated as required by this policy.<\/li>\n
  2. Supply proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test, as specified above.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    will not be able to attend Philcon 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For further information on being vaccinated and which are the approved vaccines, see: Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines<\/a> <\/em>on the CDC website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Proof of Vaccination or Negative PCR COVID-19 Test<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For those who are vaccinated: everyone, including committee and staff, must present proof of vaccination. This proof may be any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. A hard copy of proof, such as a vaccine card, a receipt from the vaccination site or pharmacy, filled prescription for the vaccine, a record from your health department or other government office, etc.) or a picture of any proof or app on your electronic device (including pharmacy prescription records).<\/li>\n
    2. A copy of any of the above, which may be a photocopy or a picture on an electronic device.<\/li>\n
    3. An app on your electronic device which shows proof of the vaccination, such as from a government agency, pharmacy, or Clear.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      For those who are providing a negative PCR COVID-19 test: present a lab-issued proof of the negative result showing the lab name and the date administered. (This proof may be a photocopy of the original document, a picture of the original document on your electronic device or proof from the lab\u2019s application.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      All persons age 18 and over must show official photo identification matching the name shown on the proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      3. Mask Wearing is Strongly Recommended<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Philcon strongly encourages everyone to wear an appropriate mask, such as KN-95 or better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      When you wear a mask remember that the mask must cover both the nose and the mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4. Handwashing is Requested<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      We recommend that you thoroughly wash your hands several times a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      5. Policy for People Who Previously Purchased Memberships<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Notice of the vaccination and mask policy was posted on the Philcon website\u2019s home, registration and policies pages on July 11, 2023. If you purchased your Philcon 2023 membership before that date, we will, upon written request, defer your membership(s) to a subsequent year or provide a refund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      GENERAL RULES, CODE OF CONDUCT, AND APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      If you have any problems, please come to Crystal Ballroom One (Convention Operations) on the Main Floor opposite Registration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      First, and most importantly, you must comply with all applicable laws and regulations and the policies of Philcon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Disruptive behavior is grounds for ejection from Philcon without a refund or such other response as Philcon deems appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Be respectful towards others at all times. This includes the membership, participants, volunteers, staff and committee of Philcon, the staff of the hotel and everyone else you may encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If someone does not want to engage in a personal conversation with you, do not try to start or continue such a conversation. If someone does not want to pursue a personal relationship with you, do not try to start or continue such a relationship. Such behavior may be considered harassment, and will be considered inappropriate and dealt with as such. Be polite and ask permission before moving forward with a relationship.  Stop if someone says no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Philcon is a venue dedicated to the expression and free exchange of ideas for the purposes of critical examination, discussion, and consideration. The personal views of Philcon\u2019s individual staff, program participants, or members are not necessarily those of the Philcon conference committee, and our dedication to the free expression of those ideas should not be considered endorsement. Please be accepting of the fact that other people are also free to disagree with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Damage to the hotel or its property, to the property of Philcon, or the person or property of anyone else is the financial responsibility of the perpetrator or, if the perpetrator is a minor, their parent and\/or Guardian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Except for service animals, Hotel policy prohibits pets in any area of the hotel, including guest rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      All Philcon spaces, except for those labeled 18+, are for all ages. Please keep all content age appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      No interference with the personnel of either the hotel or Philcon will be tolerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      All parties must be held in designated areas (i.e., the \u201chospitality floors\u201d of the hotel). Any others will be shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Alcohol may not be served in open parties. All parties are considered open parties unless they are by invitation only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      No presentation on stage shall be permitted unless approved by the Committee. Please refer to the weapons policy which is set forth later in this document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Please dispose of your trash and rubbish in appropriate waste receptacles when leaving a program room or other convention areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Food at catered events such as Meet the Pros party, the Con Suite, or room parties is meant to serve as snacks and light refreshments, not as meals. Do not expect (or attempt) to use such fare as breakfast, lunch or dinner. Please visit the hotel\u2019s restaurant, consult the Restaurant Guide for local eateries or bring food for your meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Do not drop or throw items over lobby railings or down staircases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Recording of any portion of Philcon is prohibited, without the written permission of Philcon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      We ask that you please be courteous and ask for permission from people before you take their photograph or record them in any way. This includes people wearing costumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      All costumes (Masquerade, hall costumes, or cosplay) and other outfits must cover the customary body parts (i.e., genitals, buttocks, female breasts). Remember, Philcon is a family-friendly event. You must comply with all applicable laws regarding dress and exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      VIOLATIONS OF RULES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Philcon reserves the right to take any action in response to misconduct, disruption of the conference or violations of the Philcon Rules, Hotel Rules or violations of law that Philcon deems appropriate under the facts and circumstances. This includes, but is not limited to, talking with the parties involved, attempting to mediate a solution, issuing verbal warnings, suspending participation, revoking memberships and directing a person to leave the conference areas, involving Hotel staff or security, contacting law enforcement or choosing not to take action. Philcon will not require anyone making a complaint to mediate.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Memberships may be revoked without refund and any person may be expelled, or other action may be taken, for reasons which include the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n