KORE Venture Policies & Procedures

The California Department of Public Health recommends, but does not require vaccinations for travel into the state or for gatherings.

In attending the Immersive, participants acknowledge the risks associated with gathering with fellow attendees. We recommend that participants get vaccinated ahead of Residential 1, but we do not require it for attendance.

The intimate nature of the Immersive makes social distancing and mask-wearing inappropriate to require. However, we do require proof of a negative PCR Covid test ahead of arrival to reduce risk of exposure.

Below are our protocols for handling cases in which a participant gets sick.

• At the beginning of the program we ask that everyone take the following precautions. And if they do begin to experience any symptoms to notify us immediately.
  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds.
  • Do not share eating utensils or food.
  • Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing.
  • If visiting a public place at any point during the weekend, please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

• We also ask that participants notify us if they experience Covid-19 symptoms and test positive following the Residential so that we can notify attendees.

Procedures:

• If an attendee or staff member of the Immersive becomes sick or begins to have symptoms, the event coordinator will arrange to have them isolated, public spaces cleaned and disinfected, secure a clean disposable mask, and contact medical professional if needed.
  • Participants can use the CDC’s self-checker tool to determine if medical assistance should be pursued: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
  • Symptoms include:
    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea
• Participants will be directed to local testing facilities to make use of at their discretion.
  • Plumas District Hospital 
• The event coordinator will follow the CDC’s guidelines for caring for an individual with Covid-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
• The event coordinator will look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, they seek emergency medical care immediately:
  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Creating spaces where attendees feel comfortable being vulnerable and honest is central to KORE Venture’s mission. This requires an environment that embraces diversity and provides a safe, welcoming atmosphere for all. In recognition of KORE Venture’s dedication to providing such environment, KORE Venture does not tolerate harassment of any kind or in any form by any staff, attendees, or volunteers at KORE Venture events or programs. Harassment and other unacceptable behaviors reduces the value of the experience for everyone.

This policy applies to all KORE Venture Events & Programs, including:

• Roundtables, KV Kickstarters, KORE Venture Immersives, and any event organized or co-organized with KORE Venture;
• exchanges among committees or other bodies associated with KORE Venture;
• activities and communications sent through communication channels associated with KORE Venture, including social media.

Expected Behavior

We expect all participants in KORE Venture events and programs to abide by this policy in all venues, including ancillary events and unofficial social gatherings. Participants should:

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions;
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech;
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants;
• Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this policy, even if they seem inconsequential.

Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable at any KORE Venture event or program is:

• Abuse: Any action directed at an individual that (a) interferes substantially with that person’s participation; or (b) causes that person to fear for his/her personal safety. This includes threats, intimidation, bullying, stalking, or other types of abuse.
• Discriminatory Harassment: Any conduct that discriminates or denigrates an individual on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, nationality, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, physical appearance, or any other characteristic protected by law in the location where the KORE Venture program or event takes place.
• Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech or actions by any participant in KORE Venture activities, at all related events and within communications carried out in the context of KORE Venture activities;
• offensive, degrading, humiliating, harmful, or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to those characteristics previously set forth;
• unwelcome sexual advances or propositions, particularly when one individual has authority over the other;
• inappropriate physical contact of oneself or another;
• degrading or humiliating comments about an individual’s appearance;
• inappropriate or gratuitous use of nudity, sexual images, or stereotyped images including the use of an activity-related communication channel to display or distribute sexually explicit or otherwise offensive or discriminatory images or messages;
• deliberate intimidation, stalking or following;
• harassing photography or recording;
• sustained disruption of talks or other events;
• unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact;
• physical assault (including unwelcome touch or groping);
• real or implied threat of physical harm;
• real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm.

Harassment can occur when there is no deliberate intention to offend. Be careful in the words that you choose. Harassment committed in a joking manner or disguised as a compliment still constitutes unacceptable behavior. Remember that sexist, racist, and other exclusionary jokes can be offensive to those around you.

How to Report Unacceptable Behavior

Any individual who experiences harassment (as described above) at any KORE Venture activity should follow the procedures set forth in the related document “Reporting Harassment and Unacceptable Behavior at KORE Venture Events & Programs.”

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Attendees asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant in a KORE Venture activity engages in prohibited behavior, KORE Venture reserves the right to take any action KORE Venture deems appropriate, including but not limited to:

• remove an individual from any KORE Venture activity, program, or event without warning or refund;
• prohibit an individual from participating in future KORE Venture activities;
• suspend or terminate membership in KORE Venture.

Such sanctions may be applied regardless of whether or not the offender is a member of KORE Venture.

Appropriate sanctions also will be taken toward any individual who knowingly makes a false allegation of harassment.

Addressing Grievances

If you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this policy, you should notify the event manager or Program Director. Your grievance will be thoroughly investigated and handled in accordance with our existing procedures.

Warnings and Disclaimers

KORE Venture assumes no liability or responsibility for the actions of any member or other activity participant.

KORE Venture is not responsible for protecting the safety of members or participants in KORE Venture activities. Any individual who feels his/her safety is at risk due to harassment or for any other reason is encouraged to take appropriate steps to ensure personal safety.

The procedures here describe how to report unacceptable behavior at KORE Venture events and programs. The Policy Against Harassment and Unacceptable Behavior at KORE Venture Events & Programs (“Policy”) describes actions that constitute harassment.

The first priority should always be personal safety. An individual who experiences harassment should take appropriate, immediate action if needed to remain safe.

What Should I Do If I Experience or Witness Unacceptable Behavior?

In the event of unacceptable behavior, you may wish to inform a person in authority. Those in authority to act in these cases include the event organizers (e.g., event manager, Program Director, or an onsite KORE Venture staff member). These individuals can provide information about the process for handling complaints or handling immediate onsite needs.

The Policy applies to KPRE Venture staff as well. If the subject of the complaint is a KORE Venture staff member, please report the incident to a separate onsite event organizer.

Any investigation or further action requires that explicit communication be made to KORE Venture.

Report the incident by describing what happened to either the Program Director or the event manager.

Prompt reporting is critical so that KORE Venture can take action to stop the conduct before it is repeated. All reports will be followed up promptly, with further investigation conducted where needed to confirm facts or resolve disputed facts. In conducting its investigations, KORE Venture will strive to keep the identity of the individual making the report as confidential as possible beyond the investigation.

KORE Venture prohibits any threats or acts of retaliation against individuals who report unacceptable behavior or provide information in connection with a report by another individual.

KORE Venture considers a threat or act of retaliation to be as serious an offense as harassment itself and will handle reports of retaliation accordingly.

What Enforcement Procedures Will be Followed?

When receiving a report of unacceptable behavior, the event manager or Program Director will review and direct appropriate follow up. Following investigation of the complaint, the President, in consultation with the Program Director and event manager, will review all materials. Together, they will make a final, binding decision regarding whether KORE Venture’s Policy has been violated, and the consequences of any such violation. On behalf of KORE Venture, the Program Director will inform the complainant and subject of the decision.

KORE Venture may take actions including, but not limited to, suspension or termination of membership in KORE Venture and exclusion from participating in future KORE Venture events and programs. Such actions may be applied regardless of whether or not the offender is a member of KORE Venture.

The same actions may be taken toward any individual who engages in retaliation or who knowingly makes a false allegation of harassment.