OryCon Policies

Covid-19 protective facial masks will be OPTIONAL in OryCon hosted spaces

Oregon Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. (OSFCI) Code of Conduct

OSFCI does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, including but not limited to physical assault, battery, deliberate intimidation, stalking or unwelcome physical contact. This policy applies to your interactions with fellow con-goers, program participants, hotel employees, and guests of the hotel.
Be respectful of and courteous towards others. If you have graduated from kindergarten, we expect you to understand that you need to ask before you touch and that “no” means “no”. If someone tells you “no” or “go away”, your business with them is done. Note that falsely reporting harassing behavior is, itself, a harassing behavior under this code of conduct.

If you feel you have been harassed, please find the nearest OryCon volunteer, identifiable by a burgundy badge ribbon with gold lettering. Alternatively, please contact the Information Desk in the lobby, the Office staff during operating hours, or the Operations staff at any time.

Violation of this policy may result in action by the con committee ranging from warnings to having your badge revoked with no refund, and the decision of the event chair is final. Action by the convention in no way precludes the injured individual or the hotel from pursuing whatever remedies, civil or criminal, they see fit.

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

Please note that other behaviors, including but not limited to destruction of hotel property, can also result in the actions described above.

A copy of the procedures for enforcement of this code are available on the OSFCI web site at http://osfci.org/code.html.

Weapons Policy

  • The wearing and carrying of weapons will not be permitted, except as part of a Masquerade contestant’s costume, or as part of other designated events, and then only during the event, or in transit to and from the event.
  • The use of a weapon as part of the Masquerade must be approved by the Masquerade Director prior to the event. Failure to comply is grounds for immediate expulsion from the convention.
  • The OryCon Committee defines as weapons any object designed to cause bodily harm, or any replica of such an object and any other object the Committee determines to be dangerous.
  • However, the Committee reserves the right to amend this definition of a weapon, and the right to impound weapons for the duration of the convention.
  • Any weapons purchased in the Dealer’s Room must be securely wrapped and transported expediently to your vehicle or room.
  • The Committee realizes that most people who would like to carry and wear weapons are sensible and careful individuals. However, the safety of convention members has to be our overriding consideration. Because of present liability laws, the risk of weapons causing accidents or distress, and to preserve relationships with convention hotels, we have adopted this policy.

Child Policy

  • All children must be registered with the convention, and all children purchasing memberships must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Children ages 5 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 at all times. 
  • Children ages 6-12 are admitted at half the adult price. Children over the age of 12 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. Children 6-12 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 8-11 may do so for no more than 4 hours per day. Those ages 12-16 may do so for no more than 6 hours per day.

Unattended children will be taken to operations/watch and parent or guardian notified for collection. There is no childcare available. Repeated contacts will result in child and adult being required to leave the convention

Smoking Policy

  • Smoking allowed in designated areas only.
  • Vaping is considered smoking for purposes of this policy.  Vaping is allowed in designated areas only.

Party Policy

What is a party? Any event held in hotel space where:

  • Fliers are posted
  • Public invitations are given out (verbally or written)
  • If the Convention Committee or Hotel Security deems it to be a party.
Rules:
  • A member of Orycon must register the party with Orycon Hotel Liaison. This person will be responsible to see that the rest of the rules are followed in their party.
  • The list of parties will be handed off to the OryCon Party Coordinator at con.
  • Responsible individuals must not be under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants.
  • 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.
  • Responsible individuals 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 spaces. All alcohol must remain in the party room.
  • 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.

Photo Policy

  • By entering the OryCon convention space, members consent to video and/or audio recording by both OryCon staff and other event attendees.
  • Visual recording includes both photography and videography.
  • Some convention spaces or events will prohibit or restrict visual and/or audio recording; signs will be posted indicating such restrictions.
  • For the purpose of visual recording, OryCon event spaces are not public. Attendees may ask photographers and videographers to not be specifically recorded; however, unintentional or non-specific recording is likely due to the nature of the convention. People have a reasonable expectation of privacy and the right to control visual and audio recording in their hotel rooms.
  • When stopping for photography in a hallway, please be brief and do not block the flow of hallway traffic. Be aware that a flash or other light source may interfere with event activities.
  • OryCon will only accept submissions if they include an explicit statement from the owner of the work giving OryCon permission to reproduce, publish, and distribute the work for the purpose of promoting OryCon. Submissions must be sent in the form of links to online galleries (Flickr, YouTube, Photobucket, Facebook, etc.). Attachments will be ignored. Please send all submissions to pr@orycon.org

Signage Policy

Signs may be attached to vinyl walls with blue painters tape only.

Props Policy

Prop and weapon safety

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:

  • Real firearms or ammunition or replicas that have a counterpart in society.
  • Functioning projectile weapons, devices, or toys, including items meant to be thrown
  • Tasers, batons, pepper spray, sling shots, pellet guns, water pistols, blow guns, catapults
  • Firearms or projectile items that look like real or functioning weapons from 10 feet away
  • Live steel
  • Props made out of metal
  • Potentially dangerous props which are not part of a bona fide costume
  • Props wide or long enough to inhibit hallway traffic
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.

Where? Peace-bonding will be conducted in the Operations Office. Please check in with the Info Desk to be directed. 

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

Special exception for disabled projectile items: Projectile items 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 our sole discretion.   

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.

Violations

Any violation of this policy may result in a warning, temporary convention suspension, temporary or permanent membership revocation, up to and including legal action, at Orycon’s discretion.

Changes

This policy may be changed at any time at our sole discretion. The most current version of this policy and our code of conduct is available at www.orycon.org/code-of-conduct (coming soon) and printed copies will be provided in the operations office.