ProtoTO is dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible event. This is achieved when all participants uphold the following guidelines:

1. Be aware of how your actions and words affect others.

Harassment will not be tolerated at ProtoTO. Harassment is any improper conduct* by an individual that should have been reasonably known and is directed at – and offensive to – another individual. This could be a series of events or 1 severe event that had a lasting impact on the individual.

If you say or do something inappropriate, the best thing to do is to acknowledge it and apologize to the person/people affected. Most situations can be resolved in this way.

2. Ask for consent before hugging, touching or taking photos/videos of someone you don’t know well. Do not take photos or video of anyone with a No Photo sticker.

Obviously, if you and your friends/family are comfortable hugging each other, you don’t need to ask for consent every time you hug. Use common sense. Someone you don’t know very well may not be comfortable with hugging, so either ask if it’s okay first or go for a handshake, high five or fist bump.

Never photograph or video record someone without their consent. Anyone with a No Photo sticker on their nametag does not want to be photographed or video recorded.

3. Use correct pronouns and gender neutral terms.

If you are unaware of someone’s pronouns or gender identity, use “they/them” (rather than “she/her/that woman” or “he/him/that man”). All attendees are encouraged to add pronoun stickers to their name tags so others can easily learn and use their pronouns. If you are aware of someone’s pronouns or gender identity, be sure to always address them appropriately.

Try not to use the word “guys” to refer to a group of people. Better options include: everyone, all, friends.

4. Be welcoming and inclusive.

Cred checks are not cool. If someone wants to play a game with you, don’t ask them to prove their knowledge or experience of the game or genre in order to play. It’s fine to ask “Do you know the rules or would you like me to explain?” as long as you also ask all other players the same question. Make everyone at the table feel welcome and included.

*Improper conduct comprises objectionable acts, comments or displays that demean, belittle, or cause personal humiliation or embarrassment, and any act of intimidation or threat. This includes taking photos or videos without consent. It also includes harassment based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability and pardoned conviction.

Questions and/or suggestions?

If you have any questions or suggestions about ProtoTO’s Code of Conduct, please send them to info@protoTO.ca

Reporting an incident

If you are a victim of or witness to a violation of ProtoTO’s Code of Conduct, please report the incident to a Safety and Accessibility Ambassador (SAA). SAAs will be at the registration table and throughout the convention space and can be identified by their Safety and Accessibility Ambassador buttons. SAAs are volunteers who have completed training regarding harassment (with a focus on gaming conventions) and the provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities.

Reports of violations can also be sent electronically to info@protoTO.ca

If anyone violates the Code of Conduct, ProtoTO’s Head Safety and Accessibility Ambassador will take any action they deem appropriate including monitoring the situation as well as warning or expelling the offender (without refund), at their full discretion.