ASH Code of Conduct

The ASH Code of Conduct (CoC) applies to anyone who volunteers, attends, or participates in ASH-sponsored initiatives, including meetings, events, activities, committees, subcommittees, task forces, study sections, editorial boards, and similar engagements (collectively referred to as “Initiatives”).

Mission: Foster high-quality, equitable care, transformative research, and innovative education to improve the lives of patients with blood and bone marrow disorders.

Behaviors: In support of the ASH mission and its Initiatives, all individuals agree to act in a manner that is respectful toward their fellow volunteers, participants, ASH members, ASH staff, stakeholders, and other constituents. ASH holds all individuals who engage in Initiatives to high standards of behavior to better facilitate the achievement and fulfillment of its mission.

As a volunteer, attendee, and/or participant in any ASH Initiative, ASH expects you, and you agree, to:

1. Treat ASH members, volunteers, staff, and other constituents with respect and consideration always.
2. Foster a positive environment, free from discrimination, harassment, or intimidation, where ASH members, volunteers, staff, and other constituents adhere to established protocols in supporting ASH Initiatives and afford one another the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the relevant Initiative on behalf of ASH.
3. Communicate with ASH members, volunteers, staff, and other constituents in ways that enable the exchange and fair consideration of a broad range of constructive ideas and facilitate thoughtful and inclusive dialogue in advancing the Initiative.
4. Demonstrate behaviors regarding ASH members, volunteers, staff, and other constituents that are consistent with the highest standards of professionalism, respect, collegiality, and decorum while modeling ethical, inclusive, safe, and lawful conduct, not only in efforts to support the Initiative, but also in any communications with third parties (including social media posts) that refer or relate to ASH, the Initiative, or the relevant ASH members, volunteers, staff, and other constituents.
5. Raise good faith concerns if you experience and/or witness any conduct that you believe violates this CoC.

Protocol: Report significant issues you encounter that could negatively affect the Initiative with which you are engaged, including:

1. Changes in your availability, capacity, or ability to continue in your appointed or designated role.
2. Questions about or shifts in the mandate or scope of the Initiative with which you are engaged.
3. Requests for additional support or resources to fulfill the mandate of the Initiative with which you are engaged.
4. Observed incidents of interpersonal conflicts between, or misconduct by, ASH volunteers, staff, and/or other constituents, including suspected violations of this CoC, relating to an Initiative.

ASH Response: ASH reserves the right to act on reports of behavior and/or communications that may violate this CoC. ASH’s actions in this regard may include, but are not limited to:

1. Investigating reported behavior and seeking to resolve issues informally.
2. Taking reasonable, responsible, and appropriate actions to
   1. respond to incidents of behaviors that may violate this CoC,
   2. prevent further incidents of such behaviors, and
   3. protect against retaliation for reports of concerns.
3. Revoking an individual’s appointment to or role in the relevant Initiative.
4. Excluding an individual from future ASH Initiatives.
5. Engaging a third party to provide additional services as needed (e.g., investigation, mediation, other alternative dispute resolution).

Concerns about violations of this CoC will be handled with appropriate confidentiality, as necessary, for effective investigation and resolution.

Concerns about volunteer conduct will be handled with appropriate confidentiality, as necessary, for effective investigation and resolution.

To submit a code of conduct violation, email [email protected].

Questions?

Questions and comments regarding the ASH Code of Conduct can be directed to the ASH Executive Administrator & Board Liaison, LaFaundra Neville-Ingram at [email protected].