New England Romance Writers

Code of Conduct

Approved September 2021

New England Romance Writers (“NERW”) was established with core values that support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the romance genre and the romance community. In order to ensure that NERW provides a safe space for members of the romance community, all NERW members, meeting and conference speakers, meeting guests, and conference attendees must comply with the NERW Code of Conduct (the “Code”) at all times while attending NERW meetings and events and when participating in NERW’s online forums and communities.

Conduct Requirements

NERW members and guests must not be abusive or violent toward other members of this community.

NERW members and guests must not discriminate against or harass other members of this community on the basis of an individual’s race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, body size, age, religion, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, employment status, marital status, pregnancy status, ability or disability, genetic information, veteran status, socioeconomic status, and political affiliation.

NERW members and guests must not discriminate against or harass other members of this community on the basis of an individual’s stage of publication and publication path; subgenre, level of sexuality or heat, and range of plot elements; and characters’ race, gender, sexuality, age, religion, ability, and other characteristics.

Definition of Harassment. Harassment is conduct that threatens, alarms, or creates discomfort, whether it relates to the characteristics listed above or not. Harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to: derogatory comments about a person’s characteristics; intimidating behavior or making threats; photographing or filming others without their explicit consent; intentional or repeated disruption of meetings, workshops, or events; unwanted physical contact; and unwelcome sexual contact.

Members and guests of NERW must not: make improper use of NERW’s membership information; act in ways that damage NERW’s reputation; or engage in anti-competitive actions, discussions, or exchanges.

Consequences for Violations

NERW is committed to providing a safe and inclusive community for our members and guests. 

Violations of the Code by NERW members will be addressed by NERW’s board of directors and may result in disciplinary consequences, up to and including: moderation, muting, or removal from NERW online forums; removal from the meeting, workshop session, event, or conference at which the violation occurred; a permanent ban on attending NERW meetings, events, or conferences; revocation of annual membership; a permanent ban on membership in NERW; and other consequences to be determined by NERW’s board of directors. In addition, General Members who have violated the Code are ineligible to serve as a director or officer of NERW.

Violations of the Code by non-members will also be addressed by NERW’s board of directors and may result in consequences for the violator, up to and including: removal from the meeting, workshop session, event, or conference at which the violation occurred; a permanent ban on attending NERW meetings, events, or conferences; a permanent ban on membership in NERW; and other consequences to be determined by NERW’s board of directors.

NERW directors/officers who violate the Code may be removed from their position by NERW’s board of directors pursuant to NERW’s bylaws. Directors/officers who have been removed from the Board due to a Code of Conduct violation may also be subject to additional consequences applicable to any member of NERW for violating the Code, as outlined above.

NERW’s board of directors may notify authorities if the misconduct warrants it.

How to Make a Complaint

If you have experienced or witnessed any conduct that is or seems to be in violation of the Code, please contact a NERW officer or board member at president@nerw.org, treasurer@nerw.org, and/or secretary@nerw.org. We want to hear from you and we will, to the extent reasonably possible, keep the matter confidential.

If you wish to submit an anonymous complaint, please use this form: https://forms.gle/cskGiTjte35qXfXB8. The form allows you to optionally provide an email address of your choice (you may feel free to create a throwaway email address for this purpose) for us to contact you. NERW’s board of directors may be limited in its ability to investigate your complaint and the actions that can be taken in response to your complaint, if the board is unable to contact you.

Investigation Procedure

NERW’s board of directors will review all complaints and alleged violations and determine appropriate consequences. If a complaint is brought by, or a complaint or violation involves the conduct of, a member of NERW’s board of directors, that director will recuse themselves from any role in investigating the complaint or determining consequences if a violation is found by the remaining members of the board of directors.

Consequences for violations will be determined fairly and without illegal discrimination. In evaluating complaints and alleged violations, NERW’s board of directors will review any prior similar situations and, to the greatest extent possible, will issue similar consequences for similar infractions. Although NERW’s board of directors will maintain the confidentiality of complaints and investigations to the extent reasonably possible, as part of its investigation, the board may need to discuss complaints with witnesses or with the individual(s) who is/are the subject of the complaint. In addition, if NERW’s board of directors determines that circumstances warrant such an action, the board may make a statement to members and/or the public regarding violations of the Code of Conduct.