Community Standards: 2025 Storytellers Summit

At the National Geographic Society (the “Society”), our mission is to harness the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. We believe that this goal can only be achieved in an environment that fosters a collaborative, creative, and innovative exchange of ideas and perspectives. Our Community Standards are designed to ensure that our events reflect our commitment to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive community for all. These community standards apply to all attendees, employees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and other guests and participants attending Society events and convenings.

General Expectations:

Be thoughtful and inclusive in your interactions with others - Take accountability for your actions and engage with others in a manner that is honest, fair, and transparent. Respect the diversity of our community by being open to feedback, and striving to understand different perspectives.
Be collegial and professional - Follow the rules of the event as set forth by the Society and Society staff, including registration procedures, event protocols, venue restrictions, safety and security controls, etc.
Report prohibited behavior - Promptly report to Society staff or to the Ethics Helpline (contact information below) any prohibited conduct or behavior laid out below, or any other behavior that makes you or others feel uncomfortable.

Prohibited Conduct or Behavior:

Harassment, intimidation, and discrimination of any kind are not tolerated at Society events. Harassment can take many forms including, but not limited to, slurs, jokes, banter, offensive comments, unwanted compliments, inappropriate or overly personal questions, inappropriate touching, or invading personal space. Unwanted or offensive communication through email, text, social media, or other platforms is also prohibited.
What may seem acceptable to one person could be offensive to another, so keep all interactions professional and respectful. Harassment, even if meant as a joke, is unacceptable.
Attending sessions you are not registered for, or inviting unregistered guests, is prohibited.
If alcohol is served, attendees over 21 (per the laws of the United States) may consume voluntarily and in moderation. Excess drinking, defined as consumption that leads to disruptive, unsafe, or inappropriate behavior, is not allowed.*

Reporting and Addressing Violations:

If you see, experience, or become aware of prohibited or inappropriate behavior, please seek out a Society staff member to report your concern. You may also report a concern by contacting the Ethics Helpline by calling 1-888-NGS-0-NGS, emailing EthicsNGS@getintouch.com, or filing online at www.intouchwebsite.com/NGS. This helpline is managed by an independent, third party, which allows you to submit a report directly to the Society Ethics Team but still maintain your anonymity, if you so choose. The Society will promptly review and appropriately address all reports and maintain confidentiality to the extent possible under the circumstances. While you may make anonymous reports, we encourage reporters to identify themselves and give as many details as possible, as anonymous reports may greatly limit our ability to fully investigate. Note that the Society strictly prohibits retaliation based on good faith reports or concerns.