General Policy Goal
WagonCon’s goal is to provide a place for people from all walks of life, a safe and pleasant experience with gaming and gaming-related activities. We expect all attendees to aid us in this goal. To this end, we will be vigilant to ensure there is no discrimination or harassment of any kind. If you choose to attend WagonCon, then you too agree to all of the terms and conditions within.
In short, be polite and respectful of all attendees regardless of if they are volunteers, organizers, attendees or Game Masters. These policies may be updated in the future with little notice, but will stay within the scope and voice of which they were created.
Badges
Event badges must be worn at all times by all attending WagonCon. Badges are sold to an individual and may not be shared. All attendees must have a badge while in the convention hall or attending one of the offsite events.
Allowances will be made for young children, such as children under age 5.
Player Policy
Be polite and respectful to all attendees. Please be respectful of other attendees for scheduled events. Signing up for an event means that a Game Master (GM) has put forth effort to run that event for the players. Please expect to attend the full length of time for any scheduled event. (RPG/Miniatures 4-hours, Board Games 2-hours, Card Games 2-hours.) WagonCon has 1-hour blocks between most scheduled events for food, restroom breaks, and other needs.
Game Master (GM) Policy
Be polite and respectful to all attendees. As a GM you have signed up to run one of the many gaming-related events at WagonCon. To that end, preparation is expected to ensure a smooth game. As players are expected to be respectful of your time, you are expected to show the same respect for players’ time. Come prepared and ready to run a game for the given time slot. (RPG/Miniatures 4-hours, Board Games 2-hours, Card Games 2-hours.) Running short is OK, running over is NOT OK.
Normally, all GMs who successfully run 12 hours of scheduled games will be granted a free badge for the following year. They may also receive some sort of special GM gift.
For first-time GMs, please reach out to the WagonCon staff. We are more than happy to provide feedback and assistance on how to organize your game.
Volunteer Policy
Volunteers are the backbone of WagonCon. People that choose to volunteer will earn the staff’s never-ending appreciation and admiration. As a Volunteer we expect you to provide the best example of a WagonCon Attendee. If you choose to Volunteer, please be clear as to which type of activities and jobs you are willing to perform.
Anti-Harassment Policy
WagonCon is dedicated to providing a harassment-free convention experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, nationality, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Convention participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from WagonCon without a refund at the discretion of the convention organizers.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, nationality, age or religion
- Sexual images in public spaces
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Exhibitors, sponsors and vendors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment. Booth advertising should refrain from sexualized imagery.
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the convention with no refund.
Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.
We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities. We think people should follow these rules outside event activities too!
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. We want you to be happy at our event. People like you make our event a better place.
You can make a report by:
Contacting a staff member, identified by STAFF badges, badge ribbons, or shirts.
Emailing wagoncon@gmail.com or messaging them via Facebook Messenger or Discord
When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we’ll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we’ll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won’t be asked to confront anyone and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel/venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.
Additional Policies and Important Information
Children
In an effort to provide a safe environment for all attendees, we will require all attendees from the ages of 14 to 17 to have permission from their legal guardians to purchase the badge and attend the convention. We highly encourage these legal guardians to attend the convention and enjoy the experience with their children. All attendees under the age of 14 must be accompanied by their legal guardian.
Photography
WagonCon attendees should be aware that their photographs and/or images may be taken while attending WagonCon. We will be respectful and appreciative of those images we choose to use for future WagonCon events.
WagonCon welcomes press but requests they check in with the event staff registration booth to receive guidelines for taking photos while at WagonCon. Press will be expected to purchase a badge if they choose to attend the convention.
For WagonCon attendees, we ask you follow the guidelines of being respectful and polite while taking personal photos at the convention. It is expected to ask permission of people prior to taking pictures of other individuals, their games or events.
Food and Drink
No Alcohol of any kind is allowed in the convention hall.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed within the convention hall. Please be respectful of the convention hall as well as the games, props, and property of others and clean up any food or drink spills which may occur. Failure to be respectful of the convention hall may cause your badge to be forfeited without refund.
Smoking
WagonCon is a smoke-free convention. All smoking must take place outside of the event. As per Oregon State Law, this also includes vaping. Per Oregon State law all smoking and vaping must take place at least 10 feet away from entrances/exits, open windows and ventilators.
Covid Policy
What attendees will do to protect the community:
We encourage all attendees to be fully vaccinated and boosted, however we are no longer requiring this for entry to the convention.
While at the event masks are encouraged but not required. We understand that there are different comfort levels, especially in the close quarters that take place at the gaming table.
To help with this, we will be giving GMs the option to require masks be worn at their tables. If a game requires masking we will list this on the game description. Additionally, our Anti-Harassment policy extends to masking, we expect all attendees to respect the choice of their fellow players and the GM Table requirements for masking.
If you are at a game that requires masking we ask that you refrain from eating at the table. When drinking we ask that you replace the mask when not actively drinking.
When at a table not requiring masks you may consume food and drink being thoughtful to those around you.
Attendees will respect social distancing at the table and between tables as much as possible.
If an Attendee is feeling unwell, they will stay home.
We will continue to monitor local regulations and adjust this policy as needed.
What WagonCon will do to protect the community:
WagonCon will have hand sanitizer available in multiple locations for attendee use.
WagonCon will have a quantity of blue surgical masks available in case an attendee needs one.
WagonCon will limit the number of players at each table.
WagonCon will space tables to allow distance to be maintained while moving through the space.
WagonCon will provide assistance in enforcing these safety protocols if attendees are not comfortable correcting others on their own.
WagonCon will provide wipes to allow attendees to clean tables or chairs as desired.
What WagonCon cannot do:
Clean board games between uses.
Make sure that each surface has been cleaned between games.
Determine if someone is too unwell to attend.
Guarantee session replacement if a DM cancels due to illness.