OryCon Policies

Copied from OryCon 43 and subject to review and modification by the OryCon 44 ConCom.

CODE OF CONDUCT

OryCon 44 does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, including but not limited to physical assault, battery, deliberate intimidation, stalking, inappropriate language, inappropriate video, or unwelcome physical or electronic contact. This policy applies to any attendee’s interactions with fellow con-goers, program participants, volunteers and convention committee members, including panel discussions.

Be respectful of and courteous towards others. Attendees are expected to understand that one needs to ask before touching, using inappropriate video and/or inappropriate language, and that no means no. If someone says no or go away,an attendee’s business with that person is done.

Violation of this policy can result in action by the convention committee ranging from verbal or written warnings to having the violator immediately removed from the convention, and the decision of the event chair is final. Action by the convention in no way precludes the injured individual from pursuing whatever remedies, civil or criminal, they see fit.

After the event, OSFCI may take further action, including banning the violator from further events.

If you feel you are being harassed, please let a member of the Watch know. If necessary, please ask a staff member to find one of those people for you. You will be treated with respect and your concerns will be taken seriously. All names involved will be kept confidential to the extent possible, but any accused person has the right to know enough details to be able to defend himself or herself.

Procedures for Enforcement

  • The Orycon 44 chair shall be designated as having the power to remove individuals from the convention.
  • The Orycon 44 chair shall note any warnings given in the written security logs for the event.
  • The Orycon 44 chair is the final authority on any actions, including the removal of individuals from the convention, during the event. (The OSCFI Board is only involved with any further actions taken after the close of the event.)

Masking Policy

Covid-19 protective facial masks are required in OryCon hosted spaces, except for in designated eating areas. Masks must safely cover both nose and mouth. Masks may be cloth, N95, KN95, Flo, or any style with a reasonable seal for protection from spread of contagion.

Registration, Merchants Market, panel rooms, and event rooms require masking at all times. Staff may request that you wear a mask, or leave these spaces if you are unable to mask.

Hospitality, Cafeteria, and Green Room are designated interior eating areas and do not require masking. The food cart area outside and the hotel restaurant are unmasked public hotel areas.

OryCon does not enforce masks in hallways, hotel rooms, outside, or in other hotel areas.

Masks are kindly requested at your discretion, but not required, in hallways just outside our space entryways, so that attendees with health concerns can more safely enter these areas.

Staff will bar an unmasked person entry to our spaces where masks are required, just as they would if a person does not wear a badge. Staff may remind you that masks are required, or offer you a mask, if they find you entering a masking area and you are not yet wearing your mask.

Those who are found to maliciously or repeatedly breach our policies may have their badge confiscated or visually invalidated at Staff discretion and be requested to leave the convention space. Please no. We really don’t want to have to do that.

Our mask policy applies to children aged 2 and over. If your child has a history of discomfort or lack of compliance with masks, please discuss with your child our goal to protect people with health concerns. Parents and guardians are responsible for the behavior and policy compliance of their children. If your child will not mask, we may suggest use of our Childcare Service that we offer through a professional Nanny business, in an unmasked hotel space. Childcare reservations and dropoff time slots are available for purchase at Registration. Please review our Nanny policy for details.

Harassment is against our convention policies. If you encounter someone in breach of any of our policies, we suggest that you do not approach and instead alert nearby Staff, or register a report through our incident form.

If you have a disagreement with our masking policy this year, you may submit your complaint, or helpful suggestions of safety alternatives, via our online feedback page. If your emotions are high due to your concern, we ask that you take the time to kindly word your concerns. Our Staff volunteer because they care dearly about the future of our community, just as you do.

Please do not register for OryCon 44 if you do not intend to wear a mask at our event, or if you are not able to wear a mask due to accessibility or other health concerns. If you are unable to mask due to your ability, we suggest that you discuss with your doctor whether it is appropriate, or possible with coping techniques for your situation, to attend an event where you will be required to wear a mask, and make your decision on whether you can safely attend. We look forward to you returning in a future year if you are not able to attend this year due to our mask requirement.

Thank you for supporting OryCon and doing all you can to keep our community safe!

COVID-19 REFUND POLICY

OryCon 44 offers refunds to members who forgo attendance or leave the convention space due to their Covid-19 positive status, as eligible, via compliance with our claim procedure. If you test positive for Covid-19 during the convention or two weeks prior, you may send an email titled Covid-19 Refund Policy Claim, with your legal name for verification, to: accessibility@orycon.org

Staff will share instructions to claim your Covid-19 refund. We will require a photo to include your positive Covid-19 test result, your state ID, and additional details to confirm eligibility. If a physical badge was claimed at the convention, the Covid-19 refund claim email must also include photographs of the badge removed from its plastic sleeve and visually invalidated with a large black strike across the badge card itself.

From the dates of October 27, 2023 through November 9, 2023, a full Covid-19 refund is possible. For the dates of November 10, 2023 and November 11, 2023, a partial Covid-19 refund is possible. A Covid-19 refund will not be provided starting the last day of the convention, November 12, 2023.

You may not claim a Covid-19 refund if you are still attending the convention space.
We thank everyone who takes precautions to not expose our community to Covid-19.

Inclusivity Policy

OSFCI is committed to creating a safe and inviting space that is inclusive of all fans, gamers, families, and members, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, orientation, or gender identity. We take security and anti-harassment policies very seriously to ensure safety and respect for all attendees of all of our sponsored events.

Weapons Policy

OryCon does not allow real weapons either as part of a costume or for everyday convention wear. Examples include, but are not limited to, real firearms, ammunition, tasers, pepper spray, or other real weapons.

The OryCon committee and staff have the final say on what items require peace-bonding or removal to safe storage.

Props Policy

We reserve the right to inspect and reject any prop and/or device at any time. Violation of this policy in part or in whole may lead to your removal from the convention by convention staff and/or from the hotel by hotel security or local authorities. Banned items include

  • Functioning projectile weapons, devices, toys, or other items meant to be thrown*
  • Firearms or projectile items that look like real or functioning weapons from 10′ away
  • Live steel
  • Props made of metal
  • Potentially dangerous props which are not part of a bona fide costume
  • Props wide or long enough to inhibit hallway traffic

*Special exception for disabled projectile items: Projectile items which do not violate any other aspect of the banned items lists are allowed only if they are, or have been made, permanently non-functional. Permanently means it is not possible to repair or restore the item to functionality. In most cases, this means the item must be filled with glue and all moving parts rendered immobile. This decision is at OryCon’s sole discretion.

The OryCon committee and staff have the final say on what items require peace-bonding or removal to safe storage.

Peace-bonding:
Any item or prop that could be used as a weapon, could be dangerous, or appears to be dangerous (even if it’s not), must be peace-bonded. Peace-bonding is an agreement to carry your prop safely and requires signing an acknowledgement of the requirements of safe carry. A staff member will attach a peace-tie to your item which signals to all staff that your item has been reviewed.

Purchased items:
If you buy a prop in the Exhibits Hall or Artist Alley, remember to get it peace- bonded, if needed. Also, exhibitors occasionally sell a few things that you can’t carry around the con at all, like live steel swords. If you buy one of these, you need to immediately take it off-site or to your hotel room. Peace-bonding will be conducted in the Operations Office. Ask Staff for directions. Examples of items requiring peace-bonding:

  • Any prop or device that resembles a weapon from any genre
  • Toy sword made of foam
  • Prop conduct:

Do not brandish or wave around props
Do not point or aim props at anyone
Prop firearms must have a highly visible orange tip
Props must always stay holstered, slung, or sheathed, except while posing for photos

Child Policy

All children ages 17 and under must be registered with the convention just like adults.

Children ages 12 and under are admitted to the convention without charge and will be issued a badge that must be kept with the child (or a nearby diaper bag, for example) rather than with one of the parents. The child must be under the supervision of an adult, or in the official Child Care Area, at all times. If a young child is found unattended, he or she will be delivered to the Child Care Area and the responsible adult(s) will be billed for all hours the child stays in the Child Care Area.

Children ages 13-17 are admitted at the flat rate of $30 all year. Children ages 13-17 may operate independently as long as they cause no problems. Those not capable of operating responsibly on their own must be kept under adult supervision or taken to the official Child Care Area.

All children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children 0-5 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian age 18 and up. Children 6-10 need to be under the supervision of someone age 16 and up.
All children 12 or under must be under direct adult supervision after 8 PM.
Children 8 and over may work as convention volunteers, but those ages 8-12 may do so for no more than 4 hours per day. Those ages 13-16 may do so for no more than 6 hours per day.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is allowed in designated areas outside only, as far away from the door as possible.
Vaping is considered smoking for purposes of this policy. Vaping is allowed in the same designated areas only.

Party Policy

If someone wishes to hold a private room party in a hotel room within our discounted room block, they shall contact hotel@orycon.org first to ask to be placed in the party section to prevent noise and traffic issues. Rules:

  • A member of OryCon must register the party with OryCon Hotel Liason. This person will be responsible to see that rules are followed in their party and handle legal response.
  • The list of parties will be handed off to the OryCon Party Coordinator at con.
  • Responsible individual must not be under the influence of alcohol.
  • A contact list for individuals responsible for each party must be given to the OryCon Party Coordinator prior to the event.
  • If alcoholic drinks are served ALL members must show valid identification and IDs checked at the door before entry to the room.
  • The responsible individual must attend their party during party hours, or if needed, leave someone connected with them in charge with a way to be contacted if they are required to be somewhere else.
  • No alcoholic drinks in other hotel or convention space. All alcohol must remain in the party room. Alcohol is not allowed in public spaces.
  • Comply with all hotel rules and Oregon state law. If you do something that gains the attention of the hotel (noise complaints, smoking, etc.) then the person or persons responsible for the room and party are responsible for any fines or legal problems that may arise.

Signage Policy

Signs may be attached to vinyl walls with blue painters tape only. Ask Staff for permission.

Pet Policy

While we appreciate that this hotel is pet friendly, no nonservice animals are to be brought into function space. This includes suites that are being utilized for programming. This is for the safety and comfort of all our members. When not in function space, please follow all rules set by the hotel and local laws. This includes leash laws and cleaning up after your pet.