The National Speakers Association Colorado (NSA Colorado) is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and productive environment that is free from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and retaliation for all who participate in its sponsored meetings, educational events, and activities, including online and social gatherings. All persons will conduct themselves in ways that reflect favorably on NSA Colorado and on the communities, we represent, while contributing to a culture of respect.

Application
This Conduct Policy applies to anyone who attends or participates in any manner with NSA Colorado events, including, but not limited to, members, attendees, guests, vendors, exhibitors, contractors, and sponsors. Direct participation in any manner with an NSA Colorado event, activity, or business constitutes an acknowledgement and commitment to comply with this Conduct Policy.

Misconduct
For purposes of this Conduct Policy, prohibited conduct includes any form of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or retaliation, regardless of whether it is verbal, physical, visual, and/or online.
Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, offensive or physically threatening bodily contact, and intimidation or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity/expression (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, size, political beliefs, citizenship, genetic information, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, and/or other characteristic protected under applicable U.S. federal, state, or local law.

Emergencies/Immediate Physical Danger
For life threatening emergencies or immediate physical danger, call 911. During NSA events, individuals may also alert conference or security personnel.

Reports and Confidentiality
Any person who believes that he or she is a victim of conduct that violates the Conduct Policy or who in good faith believes that he or she has witnessed such behavior, is strongly encouraged to report such behavior to a NSA Colorado board member, either onsite at the event or as soon as possible afterwards.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Growing awareness of the necessity of open, authentic action to end marginalization of communities based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, education, or socioeconomic status.

INTENT
We have waited to release this statement because we wanted to be sure we spoke of our chapter’s true heart mindfully, given the importance of the subject. We recognize the difficulty of speaking with a unified voice for such a large group but feel compelled to define our view consistent with our mission and to create boundaries meant to protect and support the most threatened among us. Creating a culture of belonging requires more than honesty, it requires vulnerability and courage.
Our intent is to be thoughtful, respectful, and authentic in our response. We don’t pretend to understand the depth of pain, prejudice, and suffering that members of the Colorado Black and Brown and other marginalized communities in general, or the NSA Colorado members of these groups in particular, have experienced.

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, and BELONGING
The difference between diversity, inclusion, and belonging is that diversity is the representation of different people in an organization, inclusion is ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute to and influence every part and level of an organization, and belonging is ensuring that everyone feels safe and can bring their full, unique selves to the organization.

WHERE WE STAND
We believe that as speakers, we have a responsibility to use our sphere of influence, no matter the size, for humanity and civil decency.
We believe systemic change starts with genuine caring and listening to understand the depth of the problem.
We believe in committing to thoughtful action.
We believe that change is possible, that we are at a pivotal moment in history and are looking for ways to learn, grow, change, and listen. Speakers have ever been thought leaders and we believe that we can creatively challenge ourselves to do things differently. We can be part of the societal transformation that can, and must, happen.

WHAT WE PLEDGE
We understand that staying quiet on these issues sends a message of complicity and this is not our position. We believe that our organization of speakers, many of whom have platforms that are highly visible nationally and globally, can bring about real change that will uplift humanity and be a voice to support the voiceless. Our members share powerful, life-changing messages, offer solutions to complex problems, and leave audiences inspired and transformed.

• We commit to backchecking the organizations and groups for whom we speak, to make sure that colleagues from all marginalized groups are given opportunities on those stages.
• We commit to asking questions about our own messages and biases to decrease the biases and racism we have internalized and so avoid passing those on to our audiences.
• And as the nation struggles to come together, to heal, and to eradicate hate, violence, racism, and discrimination, we commit to lifting our voices and using our influence to make our organization and our world a more welcoming, equitable, and inclusive place for all.

WELCOMING SPACE FOR ALL
We will work to ensure each meeting and speaking space is safe and welcoming for all. We will do so by listening and believing Black and Brown voices and other marginalized groups. We will work to interrupt microaggressions, and the silencing of voices of color and marginalized voices whenever we see it. We understand we will not always see it, but we will try.

REJECTING EXCLUSION
We will continue to cultivate programming that is not exclusionary but instead reflects the rich tapestry of different races and groups which comprise our country.

INTERSECTIONALITY
We recognize that we have members in the LGBTQ community. Members with disabilities. Members experiencing ageism. Members of religious minorities. We will work to be open to the harms our assumptions are causing and to listen to how and where we can improve our inclusion practices.

COMMUNITY
We proudly acknowledge speakers have often been at the forefront of movements for social change. We pledge to continue this grand tradition on issues of bigotry, and anywhere tyranny threatens to silence voices crying to be heard or harm people because of who they are or what they believe.

LEARNING
We understand mistakes will be made, and we will be open to hearing from our members without defensiveness and with an open heart when they are made.
In order to achieve this, the National Speakers Association Colorado Chapter will provide leadership; a commitment of time; and resources to attracting, reflecting, and valuing diversity and inclusion in the following ways:

• Diversify our programming. Programming will reflect diversity of speakers, topics, and events—in chapter and Academy meetings, as well as on- and off-site chapter programs and events.
• Diversify our membership. Our goal is to increase our members in underrepresented groups, both in Professional members and Affiliate members.
• Diversify Board and Committee representation.
• Create more inclusive marketing/publications. These include but are not limited to social media, website, newsletters, and brochures.
• Provide access/accommodations for people with disabilities.
• Evaluate our development. Leadership will request and attend to evaluations from Black and brown members about their needs and the success of the efforts outlined in this policy.

We stand united in this effort.