FMR event policies

All forms of disrespect or discrimination, including any related to gender, age, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability or physical appearance will not be tolerated. FMR reserves the right to remove individuals from email lists, uninvite them from events or ask them to leave events based on disrespectful or disruptive behavior. If a staff member or volunteer has any questions or concerns about the code of conduct or wants to register a complaint, they may contact the FMR volunteer program manager at volunteer@fmr.org and/or the FMR executive director at wclark@fmr.org.

Disrespectful or harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to: 

• Threatening language directed against another person or group
• Discriminatory jokes and language
• Unwelcome sexual attention
• Conduct directed at someone that would cause a person to fear for their safety and/or the safety of others, and/or suffer substantial emotional distress
• Sharing sexually explicit or violent material
• Sharing (or threatening to share) other people’s personal information
• Personal insults, including using racist or sexist terms or other hate speech
• Refusing to follow FMR staff's instructions and safety guidelines
• Interfering witih FMR staff's ability to conduct a safe, effective event for all participants
• Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behavior

For air quality considerations: 

• If the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) forecast predicts the air quality for an event site as “Green/Good for all groups,” we will hold the event as planned.
• If the MPCA forecast predicts air quality for an event site as “Yellow/Moderate Level of Concern” or “Orange/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” we may modify the event or cancel/postpone the event. 
• If the MPCA forecast predicts air quality for an event site as “Red/Unhealthy,” “Purple/Very Unhealthy,” or “Maroon/Hazardous,” we will cancel or postpone the event.

For heat considerations:

• If the National Weather Service issues a Heat Advisory for an event site, we may modify the event or cancel/postpone the event.
  • Heat Advisories are issued when an extreme heat event is expected in the next 48 hours.
  • These advisories are issued when an extreme heat event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring.
  • An advisory is for less serious conditions that cause significant discomfort or inconvenience and, if caution is not taken, could lead to a threat to life and/or property.
     
• If the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning, we will cancel or postpone the event.
  • Excessive Heat Warnings are issued when an extreme heat event is expected in the next 48 hours.
  • These statements are issued when an extreme heat event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring.
  • A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.

FMR will email air quality or heat-related event changes to volunteers as follows:

• If an event starts before 10 a.m. we will send out a health alert or cancellation email by 5 p.m. the night before.
• If an event starts between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. we will send a health alert or cancellation email by 7 a.m. the morning of the event. 
• If an event starts after 5 p.m. we will send out a health alert or cancellation email by noon the day of the event.

We will consider the following factors (among others) when deciding to cancel or modify an event:

• Event site terrain and strenuousness of navigating the event site
• Strenuousness of planned tasks
• Expected temperature during the event
• Availability of shade at the event site
• Event length
• FMR's ability to provide N95 masks for all attendees

Air quality forecasts for Minnesota, current air quality conditions, and information on how the state evaluates and rates daily air quality are available from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

For heat index alerts and warnings, visit Weather.gov and search the zip code for the relevant area.