Arisia '08

This is from the Arisia '08 Souvenir Book.

Arisia Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies

To help ensure our members' happiness and a successful convention, we
have established a Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies for all members.
We have no desire to police our membership, but we do have some requests
and expectations that will help ensure a pleasurable weekend for all.

We will happily refund the membership fee of anyone who finds the
policies contained herein unacceptable.

General Demeanor - Common Sense Required

Reminder: The hotel is not dedicated completely to our use for the
weekend. Members of the general public stay here or visit the hotel to
dine and socialize. Please be considerate of non-convention individuals
at all times.

Arisia expects its members to respect each other and behave in a
generally civilized fashion. Members should respect common sense rules
for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect
for private property. If you wouldn't do it at home, please don't do it
here.

Please report to the convention committee any incidents in which a
member of the convention is abusive, insulting, intimidating,
bothersome, or acting in an unsafe or illegal manner. Arisia reserves
the right to revoke, without refund, the membership of anyone for just
cause. Persons violating the law may be turned over to the police or
the hotel security force.

Sleeping in public or convention areas of the hotel is forbidden by the
hotel management. This is private property. The hotel strictly forbids
throwing, dropping, or flying anything from the balconies or over the
atrium.

Program participants and event coordinators are responsible for the
comfort and safety of convention members in their areas. Disruptive
behavior by children or adults is not acceptable, and any actions
disturbing to attendees may result in a request to leave.

All convention members are required to wear their membership badges
while in convention areas. Exceptions may be made for special cases,
e.g. masquerade participants while on-stage.

Children as Fans and Companions

Arisia makes every effort to protect fans of all ages and provide a
healthy environment with many opportunities for fun and learning.
Children are a valued part of our community, and we welcome their
appropriate participation.

Children under 12 years old may attend with either their own paid
convention membership, or with a free Kids-in-Tow membership (with and
under the supervision of an authorized adult at all times). Arisia
requires that there be at least one supervising adult accompanying
every three Kids-in-Tow members.

Parents of children aged 9-12 who believe their children are mature
enough (and who have their own paid membership) may choose to allow
their children to freely roam the convention on their own. Any child
who excessively misbehaves is subject to having free-roaming privileges
or their entire membership revoked.

Baby-sitting is available for ages 2-6 years with a baby-sitting
membership. Parents must provide a cell phone or pager number. Arisia
will have available a limited supply of pagers (requiring a deposit).
Space is limited, so purchase baby-sitting memberships in advance.

Fast Track is a children's program open to fans aged 6-12 years old.
Fast Track cannot provide snacks and meals; parents must arrange to
feed their children.

All children aged 8 and under must be with an adult, in baby-sitting,
or in Fast Track con areas. Baby-sitting and Fast Track may have
limited hours; please check the schedule.

Please remember that many of the costumes the attendees will be
wearing, and the displays in the exhibit areas may be made of delicate
and easily damaged materials that should not be handled without
permission.

Some program items dealing with adult topics may be closed to
individuals under 18 years of age. Although children under 18 years of
age may register as "adults," membership in the convention in no way
supersedes local, state, or federal laws.

Costume and Masquerade Guidelines

All costumes are welcome at Arisia, whether created by the wearer or
not. However, purchased and rented costumes are not eligible for
awards. Awards are made to the creator of the costume, not the wearer.

Costume weapons are permitted, but must be peace-bonded by Arisia
Security when you arrive, unless worn solely for the masquerade as part
on an on-stage costume. The use of any real weaponry as part of a
costume, as well as the use of any special effects, must first be
approved by the Masquerade Director. Remember, it's okay to surprise
the audience, but not the staff.

During the masquerade, flash photography, laser pointers, beepers or
cellular telephones not set silent are forbidden.
Participants in the masquerade must read and agree to the terms
contained in a separate costumer release.

Parties in Guest Rooms

If you'd like to host a party (public or private), you must register
with us in advance and use a room in the "Party Host" room block. Being
in a Party Host room also ensures you are covered by Arisia's corkage
agreement (allowing you to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks).
Parties may be "open" (all convention members welcome, and with doors
open or ajar) or "closed" (private). Serving of alcohol is not allowed
in open party areas.

Party hosts are responsible for adhering to convention policies, hotel
rules, and local, state, and federal laws.

Smoking, Alcohol, Weapons, and Illegal Acts

Arisia prohibits smoking and the consumption of alcohol in all
convention areas except for alcohol purchased from the hotel and
consumed directly in the area in where it was purchased. The legal
drinking age in Massachusetts is 21. You may be asked to provide a
valid ID if ordering alcoholic beverages.

Arisia's corkage waiver does not apply to serving of alcohol. All
alcoholic beverages must be purchased through the hotel as required by
Massachusetts State Law and the Cambridge Licensing Board. The hotel
may confiscate any privately purchased alcohol, prevent you from
bringing it onto the property, or take other actions (such as placing a
large corkage charge on your bill).

Under Massachusetts law, smoking is permitted only in certain guest
rooms and other areas so designated (e.g. the Arisia Smoking Lounge).
If you wish to smoke, verify that you are booked in a smoking room when
you arrive.

Laws governing illegal substances, obscenity, weapons, public behavior,
and the treatment of minors must be strictly observed. Remember, there
may be members of the Cambridge Police Department on patrol at the
convention.

Photography, Videography, and Press Policy

There will be photographers present; if you do not wish to be
photographed or recorded please state so clearly and unambiguously.
Photographers, ask permission before you photograph or audio/videotape
any person or group. Anyone wishing to take pictures or make audio or
video recordings of any part of the convention must read and agree to
the terms of a separate photographers/videographers release. Anyone
wishing to sell photographs or audio or video recordings of any part of
the convention (including the masquerade) must read and agree to the
terms of a separate photographers/videographers contract.

If you are acting on behalf of a publication, video production
organization, or news medium of any kind (freelance or employed;
commercial publication, media, or fanzine), you must go to the
information desk and register for a press pass.

Individuals or organizations violating these guidelines by selling,
reproducing, broadcasting, or publishing materials obtained at an
Arisia convention without permission may be prosecuted to the full
extent of the law.