In addition to the General Rules imposed by our venue and by local laws, members of the Milwaukee Falcon are expected to abide by the following Code of Conduct rules upon purchase of membership. It applies in all public and virtual spaces at the facility and convention function areas.
The Milwaukee Falcon reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership of anyone for just cause. This may also lead to being banned from future MF conventions. Persons violating the law may be turned over to the police or venue security.
Please also read over the Milwaukee Falcon’s COVID Policy before purchasing your badge.
Badges:
The Milwaukee Falcon is a membership-only event, administered by the Milwaukee Science Fiction & Fantasy League. All members must wear their badge at all times.
A badge is: 1) valid only for the person to whom it was issued, 2) only valid for the year of issue and may not be reused in a following year, 3) may not be shared under any circumstances.
MF requires that any child 12 or older have a purchased membership (or appropriate day badge) for the convention. Student rates apply to those in college, high school, or grade school.
Age Restrictions:
All convention areas are open to members of all ages, with the exception of events or exhibits that are specifically noted to be inappropriate for minors and access to which is controlled.
Hate Speech, Trolling & Bullying
Hate speech is not permitted at Milwaukee Falcon events or on its virtual forums. Hate speech is defined as abusive or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice against a particular group, especially on the basis of gender, sexuality, relationship status, political status, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, national origin, or religion.
The Milwaukee Falcon reserves the right to remove any individuals deemed to be supportive of, or affiliated with, known groups of intolerance or hatred or certain trolling, bullying, or harassing websites. Such individuals will NOT have their memberships refunded.
Harassment:
Individuals deemed to be engaging in harassment at or near the event will be immediately removed. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Uninvited physical contact.
- Uninvited sexual attention.
- Pressuring or deceiving a person to consume any substance they do not desire.
- Deliberate misgendering.
- Making an individual the focal subject of a photograph or recording, against their consent. (MF considers recording and photography of group activities to be part of the purpose for which we have come together to enjoy activities in public. There is a reasonable expectation at cons that public photos are being taken by the attendees in the public spaces of the convention. This can include panels room and Con Suite.
- Preventing any attendee from entering or participating in con events (except in accordance with con policies).
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events.
- Showing sexual images or conducting discussion about sexual topics in public spaces when the images or discussions do not allow attendees the opportunity to leave beforehand or are not presented in a respectful manner.
- Any activity which may endanger the event or individual attendees, regardless of intent.
- Intimidating, stalking, or following.
Photography & Video Recording
Unless part of the Virtual Convention, video recording of any member is prohibited without the individual’s express permission. The same is true of photography. Please exercise common courtesy and ask someone first if they may have a picture taken. If they say no, you must respect their wishes.
Venue/Hotel:
Please follow any and all rules set by your local hotel. In particular, pay attention to the following:
Damages:
Vandalism, deliberate or excessive damage to hotel/venue property, or interference with hotel/venue staff in the performance of their duties will have negative consequences for individuals and the convention. Consequences for individuals could range from being billed for damages, evicted from the hotel and/or convention, and criminal charges. These types of incidents can also harm the relationship MSFFL has with the hotel/venue, resulting in monetary losses or cancellation of our contract. The person in whose name a sleeping room is rented is solely responsible for the conduct of all individuals in the room as well as for the condition of the room. Excessive trash, soiling or other damage to hotel property, or any circumstance that may present a hazard to hotel housekeeping staff will also result in negative consequences as noted above.
Smoking:
Wisconsin has a clean air ordinance. Smoking is not allowed in any convention spaces. One may smoke only in designated outdoor areas as indicated by signs. Only private parties may have smoking, and even then are subject to tavern/hotel rules, or the wishes of the homeowner/host.
Pets:
Service animals only. Animals which are part of cosplay must have permission. Permission will only be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Clothing:
Shoes are required at all times.
Signs:
Only MF staff may put up signs, and those only in designated areas. Groups wishing to promote other items or events may do so at the table specifically designated for promotions, but may not put up any signage. Masking tape ONLY is to be used. Do not affix anything to the walls of the venue, to the elevators, to the windows, or to/over official MF signage.
Weapons:
No actual weapon or any item that can be mistaken for one may be carried either openly or concealed at any time on properties being used for the Milwaukee Falcon, regardless of any government permits which one may possess, unless it has been been officially designated by the venue and by Operations. If you wish to carry such a weapon, it must be presented to Operations. Operations staff is the final arbiter of what weapons require peace bonding. If you are unsure about whether your weapon may be considered realistic, Operations staff will be happy to check it for you.
Any actual weapon or any item that can be mistaken for one that is purchased in the dealer room must be wrapped and immediately transported to your room or vehicle. Swords or other edged weaponry must remain scabbarded at all times.
Any weapon, actual, realistic, or toy/prop, that is utilized in a threatening or harmful manner may result in confiscation of the item and/or removal of your membership without refund.
Failure to adhere to any of the above policies is grounds for the removal of your membership without refund.
As a condition of membership, no member shall carry concealed firearms at our event. Any open carry is subject to the above noted weapons policies. Individuals who bring concealed firearms onto the premises will have Memberships revoked without refund.
Parties:
Parties should be coordinated with the MF Party Liaison if they wish to be promoted at the event.
Alcohol:
The legal drinking age in Wisconsin is 21. MF only permits alcohol sales at parties located inside taverns. MF does not allow alcohol consumption in convention spaces.
Sales of Merchandise:
All vending (exchange of money for goods or services) must be authorized by the convention, and only take place in authorized locations. Vendors must comply with all applicable laws (including but not limited to copyright and tax laws).
Reporting:
If you are being harassed by a member of the Milwaukee Falcon, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please either contact the Code of Conduct Team by going to Convention Operations or by filing a report electronically by emailing MKESciFi@gmail.com at any time.
If the person who is harassing you is on the team, they will recuse themselves from handling your incident. We will respond as promptly as we can.
Consequences:
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
If a participant engages in any disruptive behavior, the Code of Conduct Team may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from all spaces and other actions as seen fit by the Board of Directors.