BCNPHA Policies and Practices for Inclusion and Respect

BCNPHA Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy

The BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) is committed to creating and supporting a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment at the virtual RENT event (RENT).

RENT delegates should exhibit appropriate professional conduct in their interactions with all individuals whom they encounter during the event. BCNPHA expects everyone involved in the conference activities to adhere to professional conduct expectations. Inappropriate professional behaviours include but are not limited to:

  • Discrimination against or harassment on the basis of an individual’s race, age, religion, creed, colour, ancestry, citizenship, national or ethnic origin, disability, military or veteran status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by applicable municipal, provincial or federal law;
  • Intimidation, stalking, abusive or threatening behaviour, or bullying;
  • Retaliation against individuals who raise conduct concerns.

BCNPHA reserves the right to assess whether an individual’s behaviour is consistent with these conduct expectations and, based on that assessment, the right to bestow, deny, revoke or limit participation in RENT activities. This policy also applies to BCNPHA partners, staff, event attendees, speakers, or the tradeshow at any event activity.

BCNPHA Practices for Inclusion and Respect

In addition to our policy for a harassment-free RENT event, we have instituted numerous practices for enhancing the safety and comfort of everyone who participates in our events and communities.

  • Highlighting marginalized voices — BCNPHA’s programming is intended to lift up and highlight the voices of marginalized people, with sessions and learning opportunities that broaden and deepen the perspectives within the RENT experience.
  • Support for gender diversity and LGBTQ2S+ rights — BCNPHA will not tolerate sexist, misogynist, transphobic or homophobic language, expression, or behaviours.
  • Holistic support for the well-being and access of BCNPHA partners, staff, and delegates — BCNPHA will work to make its functions fully accessible to participants with disabilities. We will make closed captioning available at all live sessions. BCNPHA will include programming in its RENT that supports the mental health of participants and guests, including education content, networking and break options, wellness tips, and resources from our sponsors.

How to Recognize Harassment

Professional ideas and information are exchanged most effectively at the RENT in an atmosphere that is free of discrimination or harassment, and is characterized by courtesy and respect. BCNPHA expects all participants and guests to conduct themselves in a manner that contributes to such an atmosphere. Importantly, not only are all participants expected to treat others with respect and consideration, but are also expected to support a culture of respect by alerting staff when they have knowledge of dangerous situations, are subjected to or witness violations of professional conduct, or know of individuals in distress.


What constitutes harassment?

Here is a list of behaviours that are specifically prohibited by BCNPHA, whether directed at other attendees, staff, speakers, exhibitors, or the event platform staff. This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but to give general guidance as to what constitutes harassing behaviour:

  • Physical or verbal intimidation, including threats, stalking, or unwelcome following;
  • Any conduct that is harassing, abusive, discriminatory, or intentionally demeaning of a person by any attendees at the event and related event activities;
  • Personal attacks or other behaviour during disagreements or in discussions;
  • Offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, gender identity, or disability;
  • Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images (including presentation slides);
  • Harassing or intimidating photography or recording;
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events; and
  • Unwelcome sexual attention, including unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions; unwelcome verbal comments or physical actions of a sexual nature; sexually degrading words used to describe an individual; an unwelcome display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; sexually explicit jokes

If you are asked to stop any harassing behaviour at the RENT, you are expected to comply immediately.

BCNPHA Photo and Video Release

When attending the RENT, you consent to photography and video recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, advertising, and inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by BCNPHA. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar BCNPHA events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of BCNPHA. When you register to attend, you release BCNPHA’s employees and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of photographs, computer images and/or video. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by BCNPHA or the person or entity designated to do so by BCNPHA.

Privacy Policy

Intent of the Policy:

To ensure that the personal information about all delegates is protected in compliance with applicable privacy legislation.

Purpose and Scope:

The BC Non-Profit Housing Association respects and upholds an individual’s right to privacy and to the protection of his or her personal information. BCNPHA is committed to ensuring compliance with applicable privacy legislation.

This policy applies to all the delegates of the RENT, as well as to the staff, Directors, members of the BCNPHA and non-members.