Policies

• Harassment, intimidation, slander, defamation, or discrimination in any form.
• Coercion based upon a position as a board member, committee member or any position of influence
• Physical or verbal abuse, lewd or threatening conduct of or towards any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, or other individual.
• Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, bullying, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
• Disruption of presentations at sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by CAI at the event or meeting venue, hotels, or other CAI-contracted facilities.

1. Chapter members and attendees at chapter functions are expected to maintain high standards of conduct and treat fellow attendees, participants, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers with respect at all chapter functions and meetings.
2. Chapter members and attendees at chapter functions will address each other with respect even in circumstances of disagreement.
3. Attendees will act with the highest ethical standards, recognizing that whenever competitors within an industry gather, appropriate care must be exercised to ensure that violations of anti-trust laws do not occur. All participants in any chapter function or meeting should avoid any collusive practices or discussions. Collusion is an agreement to restrain trade and most usually is evidenced in the following anti-trust violations: product boycott, restrictive market allocations, refusal to deal with a third party, and price restraining activities. There need not be written or verbal agreements to restrain trade. Conversation regarding any of these sensitive areas may be construed as implicit violations.
4. Chapter members and attendees at chapter functions are discouraged from making inaccurate or misleading representations or statements to current or potential clients, or disparaging statements about fellow members, competitors, attendees, or CAI.
5. Chapter members and attendees at chapter functions are encouraged to be aware of and avoid any real or apparent conflicts of interest in performing their duties and obligations and to promptly disclose any such conflicts.
6. The chapter encourages members to refrain from criticizing peers and/or competitors or their business practices and to maintain a healthy and professional relationship with other members of the chapter and industry at large.
7. Members with any CAI professional certification or designation are expected to honor their oath to abide by CAI’s Professional Code of Ethics or other code of conduct associated with such designation. Any chapter member or attendee at a chapter function who believes a member with a CAI designation may have violated the CAI Code of Ethics is encouraged to report such violation to the national office.
8. Chapter members and attendees at chapter functions shall meet all financial obligations of participation in various chapter activities and functions in a timely fashion and according to any terms listed on chapter invoices.
9. Violations of this code may be grounds for the chapter Board of Directors to designate a chapter member as “not in good standing,” and to be afforded the loss of rights and privileges that accompany such designation. Under the chapter by-laws, the chapter Board of Directors has the power to suspend members for nonpayment of dues, fees, assessments and other financial obligations to the Chapter.
10. Complaints regarding alleged violations of this code of conduct may be made only by a member of the CAI Greater Houston Chapter. Notices of alleged violations other than those raised during an event must be in writing, signed by the member making the complaint and submitted to the President  of the chapter in care of the chapter office. The Executive Director shall report the violation to the executive committee, which shall have sole authority to investigate the complaint and administer due process within a reasonable period of time. The executive committee will report its findings and a recommendation for action on the complaint to the chapter board of directors. The chapter board of directors will accept or reject the recommendation of the executive committee and the chapter president shall notify the parties involved as to the actions taken by the chapter board.