Terms of Service and Code of Conduct

The primary purpose of Furry Connection North (henceforth known as FCN) is to provide a fun and safe environment for its members. In order to ensure that the event maintains a pleasant atmosphere for everyone, we must require for all attendees to follow an accepted code of conduct. By encouraging all who take part in the event to behave in a way that is acceptable and inoffensive to the majority of the attendees, we can help to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time at Furry Connection North.

Furry Connection North welcomes those with an interest in anthropomorphics, however the staff reserves the right to deny or revoke the membership of any individual at any time for any reason. The removal of an attendee’s membership status and convention privileges will most likely be enacted if that attendee’s actions or behavior is found to be disruptive to the safety or enjoyment of other attendees, inhibits or interferes with convention operations or with the staff of the hotel or of Furry Connection North. Additionally if FCN feels that a person intends to attend our event solely for the purpose of disrupting the convention, disparaging its membership or otherwise interfering with the operations of the convention we reserve the right to refuse membership.

Upon accepting membership to any Furry Connection North event, the member agrees to hold harmless Furry Connection North and its staff from any legal action resulting from personal injury or property damage or loss due to the actions of any individual within the event or otherwise, including members of the Furry Connection North staff.

Furry Connection North holds the right to alter this code of conduct at any time with or without notice.

Membership

Membership to FCN events may be purchased online (http://www.furryconnectionnorth.com/registration) during the designated preregistration period, or at the registration desk upon arrival at the site. To gain membership, government issued photo identification must be shown and a formal agreement to adhere to the standards of conduct must be signed. Every member will receive a membership badge. This badge must be kept with the member and be openly visible at all times while within the convention area. Any member who is not able to display their membership badge if requested by staff may be denied entry to convention events or asked to leave the convention space until they can return with a valid membership badge. Furry Connection North reserves the right to refuse membership to anyone based on our own discretion.

"Minors" are defined as any individual 17 years of age or under. Registration to minors is not available during the online pre-registration period, and is not available during on-site registration. Minors may not attend FCN events. Furry Connection North cannot be held accountable for minors who gain membership through forgery or other disingenuous methods. Any attendee found to have falsified documents in order to gain access to the convention will have their membership revoked, access to convention space removed, will not be allowed to attend future conventions, and will be referred to local law enforcement authorities.

Anyone discovered to have forged a membership card or to be using another member’s card under false pretenses will be asked to leave the event and could possibly be referred to local police under a complaint of trespassing. In addition, any member discovered allowing others to "borrow" their membership card will have their membership immediately revoked and will be asked to leave the event.

The Convention Area

The "convention area" is defined as the entirety of the Detroit Novi Sheraton, with the exception of guest rooms. The standards of conduct should not only be adhered to within the convention space but also in areas viewable from the convention space.

Convention Rating

All public areas within the convention space are to be considered to have a "PG-13" rating. Any convention event containing materials of an adult nature will be noted in the convention book listings and attendance of the event will be monitored by the security staff.

When in the convention area, hotel lobby or restaurants, shirts, footwear and pants or shorts must be worn unless the attendee is utilizing the pool/spa area. At no time should any attendee wear clothing that is overly revealing, or for blatant sexual or fetish purposes in the convention area. Any attendee discovered wearing clothing that is inappropriate or disruptive to the atmosphere of the convention may be asked to return to their room to re-attire themselves or may lose convention privileges.

"Fursuits" are considered acceptable attire, providing that the design thereof falls within a "PG-13" rating. Any costume design that cannot be considered acceptable to a general audience and cannot be made publicly appropriate with clothing must not be worn in the convention area. While we encourage the presence of costumers, Michigan state law prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone who cannot be identified. This will pertain to any alcohol purchased at the hotel bar as well as access to alcohol in the sponsor suite.

Public displays of affection must be limited to friendly contact. Overly sexual public behavior will not be allowed.

Personal Conduct

While within the convention area, all members will be expected to conduct themselves in a mature fashion. Revocation of membership may be incurred for any individual(s) who, by their actions, become disruptive to the atmosphere of the convention or its members.

Fighting, rough-housing, vandalism of the hotel, yelling and playing music at an excessive volume in convention space may be considered disorderly conduct.

No objects may be thrown while in the convention area. Likewise, toys which shoot projectiles (including silly string) will not be allowed.

Sleeping in the convention area will not be allowed.

Please dispose of waste in the proper receptacles.

Harassment

Furry Connection North takes harassment very seriously, be it from other members or from individuals not associated with the convention. If you feel you are being harassed, please tell a member of the staff.

Threats, stalking, deliberate intimidation, demeaning insults or unwelcome physical contact all constitute as harassment. Remember: No means no and stop means stop. If you are told to stop in response to any contact with another individual, you are to immediately end your contact with that person.

Every report of harassment made to the FCN staff will be investigated and dealt with on an individual basis.

Weapons

No weapons will be allowed at Furry Connection North. This includes firearms, bladed weapons of any kind, flailing weapons, explosive devices or any object designed to inflict harm. Any individual who is discovered carrying a weapon in the convention area will be ejected from the convention and referred to local authorities. This is the policy of Furry Connection North and supersedes any legally issued weapons carry permit.

Weapon replicas may only be carried if they are part of a performance at the convention and have been presented to and approved by the security staff.

Smoking

The Detroit Novi Sheraton is a non-smoking hotel. Smoking is permitted outside. If you are a smoker, please be respectful of our non-smoking guests and maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from any hotel entrance when smoking outside.

Illegal Substances

The sale, purchase or use of any controlled substance is absolutely forbidden at Furry Connection North. Any individual discovered selling, buying or using illegal drugs in any part of the hotel or surrounding area will immediately have their membership revoked and will be reported to drug enforcement authorities without exception.

Alcohol

Furry Connection North asks that while at the convention, alcohol should be used responsibly and in moderation. Alcohol beverages can be found for sale in the bar area of the atrium and in the restaurants. They will also be available for our sponsors in the sponsor lounge without charge. Additional rules may apply for alcohol in the Sponsor's Lounge and will be posted.

No open containers of alcohol will be allowed in the convention area, with the exception of the sponsor lounge. In the case of the bar within the convention area, no beverages containing alcohol may be carried away from the immediate bar area.

Drink responsibly. Any individual who is discovered being disruptive or belligerent due to inebriation may be escorted to their hotel room. Repeat offenders could have their membership revoked.

The legal drinking age in the state of Michigan is 21 years old. It is a felony in this state to supply anyone under this age with alcohol. If an individual has been found supplying minors with alcohol, their membership will immediately be revoked and they will be reported to the local police. Likewise, any minor who is found drinking or can be reasonably suspected of being intoxicated will lose their membership and be turned into police custody.

Noise Levels

Remember to be courteous of other guests staying in the convention hotel, both those with the convention and those who are not. All attendees should keep noise to reasonable levels in the hallways which are not part of convention space (hallways containing guest rooms), especially during night time hours where people may be trying to sleep.

Personal Belongings

We recommend that personal items not be left in convention space unattended. Furry Connection North and its staff are not responsible for any items lost or stolen. Items found by our staff are turned in to Operations where Lost and Found is kept. If an item is believed lost it may be retrieved there, or for up to two months following the event. Items will not be kept for the next year. Furry Connection North will do its best to facilitate the return of any items returned to the lost and found after the convention at the attendee's expense.

Pets

Other than legal service animals, no pets will be allowed in the convention area. Please refer to hotel policy for information about pets in guest rooms.

Media and Use of Video

FCN's attendees get together each year purely to have fun. The organizers understand that large gatherings of furries may seem an unusual sight to many and thus are often targets of the attention of the media. Some reports in the past have been less than accurate or appropriate and have caused many of our attendees to shy away from the media spotlight. The presence of media, thus, detracts from the ability of our attendees to relax and enjoy the convention.

Furry Connection North Inc. respects the privacy of its membership and staff. As such for the duration of our event (April 12th 2013 through April 14th 2013) the event space of the Sheraton Detroit Novi is a no media zone. Unless written authorization is provided by Furry Connection North Inc. in advance of April 1st 2013 no one acting in a press or media capacity will be permitted to film, record audio, or take account of in any fashion any event taking place at Furry Connection North 2013. As pursuant to our terms of service no person with a convention membership may act in a press or media capacity while on the premises of the Sheraton Detroit Novi during the course of our event. Any person found to be violating our media policy will be ejected from the premises without refund if applicable. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

Any convention attendee that knowingly violates this policy or who attempts to facilitate access or entry to the convention proper will be prevented from returning to Furry Connection North in subsequent years. Access may include but is not limited to: onsite interviews in private hotel rooms, providing footage or pictures taken at the event, recording the event with the express intention of providing it to a third party for use in the media. Photographs and video are permitted for personal use.

Furry Connection North makes no implied license for the use of its trade name or logo in any media without express written consent of Furry Connection North Inc.