NCTE Policies for Online Events

NCTE expects all participants to adhere to the following policies regarding our online events. NCTE reserves the right to take action against any participant in the online event whose conduct is inconsistent with these policies. Action may include dismissal from the online event, revocation of speaking or attendance privileges for the current or future online event(s), and/or termination of NCTE membership.

NCTE is committed to producing events where everyone may learn, network, and socialize in an environment of mutual respect. Therefore, some behaviors are prohibited, including harassment related to sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, disability, race, age, religion, political affiliation, or beliefs; intimidation, stalking, or following; sustained or repeated disruption of talks or events; inappropriate contact or unwelcome sexual attention; or any other conduct that NCTE leadership finds to be unreasonably hostile, offensive, or humiliating. Participants are expected to observe this policy at all times during NCTE activities or events. Contact eventcommunications@ncte.org if you believe this policy has been violated.

Please note: It is the policy of NCTE in all online events to provide a forum for the open discussion of ideas concerning the content and the teaching of English and the language arts. Publicity accorded to any particular point of view connected to any online event does not imply endorsement by NCTE, the staff, or the membership at large, except in in policies that may be shared during online events where such endorsement is clearly specified.

NCTE’s online events are provided to expand the professional opportunities available to NCTE members and, occasionally, its wider community. The content and the speakers reflect on our organization and its reputation. Online sessions also require a substantial staff investment to prepare, communicate, and execute.

NCTE staff actively seek opportunities to connect NCTE’s audience with valuable conversations that often manifest in the form of online events. This includes topics tied to initiatives NCTE funds, topics and learning activities supported by grants, as well as themed conversations and series that tie to specific interest areas that advance NCTE’s mission, such as meeting authors or exploring teacher leadership. The vast majority of NCTE events are offered to members-only. Occasionally, at the determination of staff, events may be open to the public.

If NCTE section steering committees, conferences, association, and regular committees want to hold online events, they must do so by proposing the online events through their staff liaison. Usually, shaping the idea collaboratively with staff yields the best outcome as staff are experienced in developing online events and have a more complete picture of needs, calendar of events, and current activities within NCTE. The chair of each respective group will make the request with the following details provided, a minimum of six weeks from the proposed event:

1. How the online event directly relates to the charge or written mission statement of the group.
2. Goal and intended audience.
3. Tentative title.
4. Any speakers suggested for the event.
5. Three (or more) learning objectives.
6. Coordinating point of contact, if approved.
7. If a series is being proposed, describe why a series is necessary for this topic. Requests for series will be approved on a very limited basis.

All online events must be approved by NCTE staff. NCTE staff also have the exclusive authority to redirect proposed events, assign or reassign dates, and determine the format of the event, including any special protocols that are necessary from time to time. Further details and determinations, such as the use of chat lines, making the event open to beyond membership, the use of specific online platforms, and so on are the responsibility of staff. Staff administer the events and retain controls to remove participants, attendees, and/or end the event if the conversation strays from the written articulation. In no circumstance can the event veer from the approved and articulated goal(s) and learning objectives.

All presenters of events coordinated by section steering committees, conferences, association, and regular committees must sign the NCTE Online Event Speaker agreement.

If a proposed speaker(s) is not an active NCTE member leader and/or is being represented by a publisher or other organization, staff will initiate and maintain these contacts throughout the planning process and during and after the event. Any requests for sponsorships or other agreements will be at the discretion of NCTE and must be initiated and fulfilled by staff.