Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct is not an exhaustive list of do’s and don’ts. Any behavior that harms our reputation or interferes with the operations of StratosFur is strictly forbidden. This includes, but is not limited to, its relations and reputation with our community, municipality, venue, or the public. This also includes interfering with or disregarding instructions or guidance from StratosFur staff during the performance of their duties.

1. Worn and visible at all times: Your con badge is the only acceptable proof of admission into events and convention space. Our convention is a private event, so all attendees must wear their con badge where readily visible to enter and to remain in con space. Anyone not wearing their badge may be told to leave con space.
2. Non-Transferable: Your con badge cannot be loaned, given, resold, or used by anyone else for any reason during the convention.
3. Photo I.D.: You must present valid photo identification that proves your identity and age in order to receive your con badge. This can include a driver’s license, Photo ID Card, or passport.
4. Minors: Minors are convention attendees who are under the age of 18 by the convention start date. Minors are identified by specifically marked badges. All minors attending the convention must have the consent of their parent or legal guardian to attend the con. In addition, any minor under the age of 16 MUST always be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or authorized chaperone while in convention space or on Hotel Property.
5. Disclaimer: All con badges remain the property of StratosFur for the duration of the convention and must be presented for examination by con staff and surrendered to Critter Wranglers upon request.

1. Attendees must clothe, costume, and conduct themselves in accordance with our “PG” rating at all times, but especially in any area visible to non-attendees or the public. A good general guideline is “would the dress/behavior be welcome in a public place, school, or local library?” Please restrict any conduct that does not conform to this to the privacy of your home or hotel room.
2. If you are not 100% sure, please ask BEFORE wearing clothing, exhibiting items, or behaving in ways that may be unacceptable in convention space.
3. Any display of item(s) including artwork and merchandise must be limited to “PG” or made to conform with our “PG” rating (such as stickers completely obscuring any explicit portion of artwork).
4. The sole exception to our “PG” rating is an event, panel, area or item which has been designated as adult-only. One example could be a ‘life drawing’ workshop involving a live model.
   • This adult-only designation requires a written agreement with StratosFur’s Directors and made prior to the convention and is subject to final approval by the convention Board.
   •  Without such written agreement, the “PG” rating must be maintained.
   •  Access to an adult-only event or area will be strictly controlled, and the adult content will be contained within the designated event/area. Attendees with “Minor” badges will not be allowed access to these areas, events, or items.  Attendees must ensure that they maintain the convention’s “PG” rating when traveling to or from adult events or areas.

Alcohol must only be in the possession of, and consumed only by, persons of legal drinking age (21 in Texas) or older, AND only when served by a venue bartender/waiter and consumed within that venue’s licensed areas; or when consumed in the privacy of your hotel room.

Please note:

1. Alcohol is not served or permitted in event space.
2. Alcoholic beverages are permitted only to persons 21 years of age and older by Texas law. Anyone who provides/serves alcohol to a minor and any person under the age of 21 who consumes alcohol is breaking the law and may have their attendance permanently revoked and/or be reported to the police.

• • The sole exception to (i.) is with prior written authorization from the convention chair(s) for special events, toasts, weddings, etc.

Finally: Please enjoy responsibly. While we are all here to have fun, any individual who is intoxicated to the point where they pose a risk to themselves or others will be asked to leave, either temporarily or permanently, at staff discretion.

Smoking, e-cigarettes, and vaping are governed by Local and State laws in addition to the venue’s own policies. You may not smoke or vape within the hotel, any hotel rooms, balconies, or close to entrances to the building.

Attendees are further cautioned that smoking or vaping in hotel public spaces is not only against the law, but the hotel also reserves the right to charge the renter the full cost of carpet/upholstery cleaning. This cleaning charge may be in the hundreds of dollars.

1. Convention Space
   • We must remain welcome guests at our venue, without which StratosFur cannot take place. We ask that all attendees treat the area, its employees, and its fixtures with all due care and respect.
   • Do not post any notices, advertisements, or affix/tape/glue/etc. anything to the walls, ceiling, doors, or floors of our venue without first securing permission from our staff.
   • Do not attempt to alter, misuse, damage, or misplace any object within the venue space
   • Attendees are further advised to immediately follow any request from venue employees. In case of disagreement, attendees and staff must first comply with the request then notify convention operations and provide details.
2. Hotel Rooms
   • It is hotel policy that the renter of the room is ALWAYS responsible for their room’s condition and any use thereof. See Indemnity and Liability for more information.
   • Vandalism of, damage to, or destruction of hotel/venue property may result in severe consequences including but not limited to revocation of attendance to the convention.
3. Room Parties
   • We love parties! To ensure individual actions do not adversely affect others, the following rules apply:
     • During nighttime hours (10:00pm – 09:00am), noise must not be audible in other hotel rooms or the hallways. To minimize noise, keep doors completely closed with a door hanger sign to knock.
     • Room gatherings/parties may not extend into the hallways or corridors for any reason – keep doors closed to limit the number of partiers.
     • Party hosts and participants are reminded of Rule #4 (providing alcohol to minors is illegal) and Rule #5 (smoking/vaping within hotel rooms is not permitted). Violation of either of these rules, will lead to a permanent revocation of your attendance and possibly removal from the hotel.

StratosFur staff and security will do their utmost to help resolve noise and conduct complaints, however the hotel reserves the right to take immediate and independent action against any room and occupants thereof who are noisy or disruptive. StratosFur cannot undo any actions taken by the hotel to remediate complaints or guest issues.

Please party responsibly and show courtesy to your fellow hotel guests.

Important: Unless very obviously a non-realistic toy (to the casual observer at a quick glance and from a distance) ALL props that could be mistaken for actual weapons must first be inspected and approved by convention security.

1. No real firearms permitted (except for law enforcement officers within their jurisdiction and/or while on duty, and as permitted by Hotel Code and State Law).
2. Critter Wranglers has the authority to approve, deny, or restrict the carry, display, and use of any weapon or item at StratosFur. Convention security may apply additional conditions such as “only during specific events”. Decisions may be appealed to the Critter Wranglers.
3. No weapon or item may be brandished, aimed at anyone or otherwise displayed in a threatening manner. The only exception to this is by previous arrangement with convention security and in a designated time and place with clear rules. Decisions may be appealed to Critter Wranglers.
4. Attendees may not use lasers or laser sights in event space. Convention security may at their discretion permit such sights to remain on props if rendered inert (example: batteries removed and/or lens covered).
5. Projectile launching devices (including NERF and water guns) may never be loaded or contain propellant of any kind.
6. Items carried within event space must immediately be presented for inspection upon request by StratosFur staff. Failure to comply may result in loss of item or convention attendance privileges.

Disclaimer: For the protection of our attendees and our events, StratosFur reserves the right to revoke all previously granted prop carrying privileges at any time. In case of disagreement, the attendee(s) who own/carry such MUST without question first secure the item(s) outside event space before appealing the decision to Critter Wranglers. Failure to comply may constitute a serious breach of our Code of Conduct.

1. Behavior towards another individual or group that is generally considered unacceptable or harmful, along with any conduct including but not limited to intimidation, threats, unwelcome physical contact, stalking, etc. will not be tolerated. If someone has stated they no longer wish to interact with you, stop.
2. Attendees are encouraged to IMMEDIATELY report any such incident to Critter Wranglers, or to a Staff member. Your safety at the convention is our highest priority, and we want to make sure everyone can enjoy the convention as much as possible.
3. StratosFur is NOT the place to start or continue disputes. Our staff cannot resolve interpersonal conflicts or preemptively ban someone from attending based solely upon such. Our events are gathering places where one can meet and share common interests with others. Behavior that is disruptive and detrimental to the public will not be tolerated.

Inclusiveness: We are committed to providing a welcoming environment to all, regardless of race, color, national origin or ancestry, creed or religion, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or age. Any harassment or discrimination against any individual or group is unwelcome at our event. Please contact a staff member for our Inclusivity Statement.

1. Advertising or selling goods or services may only be undertaken by persons approved by StratosFur.
2. Advertising or selling goods or services is permitted only in designated areas.
3. All applicable fees due to StratosFur must be paid in full prior to any setup of advertising or sales space.
4. Compliance with all applicable local, provincial and federal laws governing the advertising and sale of goods and services remains the vendor’s sole responsibility.
5. Vendors are responsible for checking convention badges (and when applicable confirming the age of attendees) while making sales.
6. All goods and services advertised or sold must comply with our rating (refer to Rule #3).

Pets are not permitted in event space for health and safety reasons.

Service animals are permitted subject to these conditions:

1. The service animal is only permitted when always accompanied by, and under the constant control of, its handler.
2. For safety reasons only actual (non-sentient) service animals may be leashed to someone else.
3. Reasonable efforts are made by the handler to ensure the well-being of the service animal, such as being attentive to signs of distress indicating the service animal may be overwhelmed.
4. Notify a StratosFur staff member immediately if the service animal urinates, defecates or vomits in event space.

Attendees should never pet a service animal without their handler’s permission and give service animals the space they need to assist their handler.

1. Attendees must behave responsibly when interviewed by, or in the presence of, any media. In the event that attendees are requested to be interviewed by an external media source (i.e., news reporter) and are uncomfortable or unable to comply, please seek the assistance of StratosFur staff.
2. StratosFur remains a private event. Consequently, media/reporters are permitted in convention space ONLY after registering as media with, and obtaining a press pass from, StratosFur.
3. StratosFur reserves the right to take photographs or video footage for promotional purposes.
4. We reserve the right to deny entry to any or all media. We may at our discretion grant conditional entry to media representatives. This may be subject to additional provisions including, but not limited to, escort or supervision by designated staff.

Photography is NOT permitted in our Art Show or Headless Lounge. No artwork or merchandise may be photographed without first obtaining consent from the artist or dealer.

By registering for the convention and accepting a convention badge, you agree that StratosFur, Board of Opportunity and Outreach for Panspeciesm (B.O.O.P.), and its associated directors, convention committee, staff and volunteers shall not be held accountable for any damage or loss of personal property, as well as any personal injury or death arising out of your attendance or actions at the convention. B.O.O.P. as well as StratosFur accepts no liability for whatever may occur within the confines of private hotel rooms. These rooms are the sole responsibility of the individual to whom the room is rented, or to whom is named assigned to the rooms. This may include payments for any-and-all damage, responsibility for complaints against the room and any other issues that may arise. If illicit activity is reported, the event may revoke your membership and/or refuse you membership in the future; furthermore, the hotel may revoke your ability to stay at their chain in the future.

This agreement is binding upon you, as well as your heirs, next of kin, executors and administrators. If the attendee is under 18, the parent or legal guardian must agree on their behalf.

As stated previously, much of what is covered in our Code of Conduct relates to ‘worst case’ scenarios. We as an organization must be prepared to address such possibilities but, together with our attendees, do not expect them to occur.

As a group we are dedicated to welcoming and bringing together as many people as possible to join in the furry fun, enjoy our events, and share common interests.

Invoking the sanctions listed below may run contrary to our ‘reason to be’ however we will not hesitate to do so. This is for the protection of our staff and for the health and safety of our attendees. It is to ensure our collective right to share and enjoy a friendly, disruption-free, and harassment-free environment.

Code of Conduct violations may result in one or more of the following actions taken against those responsible:

• Warning issued by Convention Staff or Security.
• Suspension of access to one or more areas of StratosFur.
• Temporary or indefinite revocation of attendance/participation in all StratosFur activities and events without refund.
• Further action taken by hotel/venue management.
• Notification and involvement of law enforcement.
• Civil and/or criminal prosecution.