Leadership Letter
October 2023
ASK COUNSELOR TARA
ASCE’s General Counsel Tara Hoke responds to legal questions faced by sections and branches here each month. Send Tara an email with your question.
How do we incorporate the new Code of Conduct into our events?
If you keep informed on the actions of ASCE's Board of Direction, you probably know that it recently approved an ASCE Code of Conduct setting forth the requirement that all persons demonstrate “the highest standards of professional integrity, dignity, fairness, justice, and respect for everyone” when participating in ASCE events and activities.
While not dissimilar to ASCE’s Code of Ethics with its requirement that engineers “treat all persons with respect, dignity, and fairness,” the Code of Conduct is different in two respects: First, it includes a specific list of behaviors that fall short of this obligation of respect and fairness, including derogatory language, intimidation, stalking, harassing photography, and unwanted contact or attention. Second, unlike the membership requirement for Code of Ethics enforcement, this language applies to all persons participating in an ASCE activity, regardless of membership status.
At the board’s instruction, this new Code of Conduct is posted on the ASCE website and is referenced in the registration process for all Society-level events. While the board’s adoption of this code does not directly apply to ASCE’s geographic units, leaders of sections, branches, and other entities might also find it useful to highlight this code in connection with their events and activities. Not only is it a useful reminder to participants of the importance of professional conduct in all ASCE-related activities, it also makes an important statement about the organization’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all members of the professional community.
How should your group reference the new Code of Conduct in your registration process? The ideal approach would be to require all registrants to check a box stating “By participating in this event, I agree to abide by the ASCE Code of Conduct.” The text of this statement could include a hyperlink to the code on ASCE’s website at https://www.asce.org/about-asce/code-of-conduct.
If this option is not available for your event, other suitable options would include:
1. A statement about the Code of Conduct as a footnote on your event page.
2. Linking to the Code in your confirmation email or in other emails to registrants about the event.
3. Signage posted at the event.
Special thanks are extended to ASCE’s Members of Society Advancing an Inclusive Culture for their work in preparing the Code of Conduct.
ASCE General Counsel Tara Hoke responds to legal questions faced by sections and branches here each month. Send Tara an email with your question.