Code Of Conduct
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Our Aims
Our primary aim is to give as much fun to as many people at once and bring them together in a way never seen before in the UK!
The entire convention is 18+ due to stringent EU and UK law. At registration, you will need to sign an agreement, part of which states that you are over 18 years of age. You will need to provide current photo ID with your Date of Birth on it to prove this.
If you choose not to sign this statement, or cannot provide proof of age, you will not be admitted to the venue or its events. Please be prepared to show your badge any time you need access to convention space or events - it identifies you as a fully-paid attendee.
We are a professional convention and organised for your enjoyment. However, please consider how your actions impact or affect others. We take pride in our appearance and we want you to as well, whilst still having fun. To this effect, if the staff become aware of any of our attendees engaging in any form of illegal activity, either in convention space or in private rooms, we will be forced to inform the relevant authorities.
Although we are taking over the entire Youth Hostel, keep in mind that there may be other guests who are visiting, especially in the lobby area. Offending the other guests, or the venue staff, is wholly inappropriate. Impressing them with how much fun, enthusiasm and passion we have for our fandom IS appropriate. What you consider to be acceptable behaviour may not be the case for others. Consideration of others is the hallmark of a mature individual and a healthy fandom. We encourage that courtesy from all participants in our community.
To put it another way: If you wouldn't do something in front of your mother, do not do it in the venue's public areas!
Safety and security matters are generally handled by Convention Ops, who are a group of experienced and qualified individuals. Convention Ops or any staff member, may ask you to stop an activity or to move it to a private room. Repeat offenders may even be required to return their badges and to leave the premises. We ask that our attendees co-operate with staff requests promptly. If you feel that we have been unfair, you may bring this up at a later time with the convention Chairman.
Alcohol and Zero Drug Tolerance
The YHA does not allow alcohol to be brought onto the site. This matter is not negotiable!
The City of Manchester also has a by-law prohibiting the consumption of Alcohol in a public location. This is enforced by means of a £50 fine.
ConFuzzled does not tolerate the use of illegal substances. The violation of the Zero Tolerance rule will result in the immediate withdrawal of your badge and convention privileges and referral of the matter to legal authorities.
Buying and Selling
We have two main areas where merchandise and services can be sold - the Art Auction and The Dealers' Den, Anyone who receives payment for goods or services (such as body painting, massage, etc.) in convention space must comply with all the rules regarding this (e.g. it must not be an illicit activity). If anyone wishes to request payment for goods or services where the proceeds go to charity we must be informed of this.
We take our legal obligations in this area very seriously.
Canal Safety
Our venue is located adjacent to the Castlefield Basin of the Bridgewater Canal. Whilst the water may look inviting, it's important to remember that it can kill you if mistreated!
As such, we've prepared the following safety guidlines:
Keep SAFE and Stay Away From the Edge - doubly so if you've consumed any alcohol.
No swimming! Amongst other risks, there is debris on the bed of the canal which could cause injury and there is also a risk of getting tangled up in weed. Be aware that the canal and its surroundings are part of the natural habitat. There are potentially posionous plants that prick and sting growing by or in the canal and its surroundings.
Please leave nothing behind, especially litter and fishing line/hooks. Please do not throw anything into the canal and please be respectful of the YHA's neighbours.
We want you to have fun at ConFuzzled and having to call the Emergency Services because someone fell into the Canal would not be fun for anyone concerned.
Copyright & Intellectual Property
Please respect the copyright of any work displayed, played or printed by not making copies without the copyright holders permission.
Costumes and Clothing
Use your common sense in public areas. If you have to ask or think twice about doing it in public, take it to your room. For example, kissing and holding hands, regardless of sexual orientation is fine. Groping, tongue battles and nudity, regardless of sexual orientation, is not. While collars and leashes may be worn discreetly, blatant displays of bondage or fetish clothing, including zentai and rubber costumes, in public may result in Convention Ops asking you to change immediately or return your badge. We ask you to always wear at least a shirt/t-shirt, shorts, and shoes in public areas.
Body Painters should always keep a t-shirt handy at all times in case they need to pass through the lobby or other areas that other guests might frequent. Additionally, if you are wearing body paint of any kind, please refrain from sitting on any furniture as it may damage it. Also, the lobby and YHA furniture is NOT the proper place for decorating someone as a tiger or anything else. The Fursuit Lounge may be used for impromptu make-up demonstrations. Public exposure of genitalia, buttocks or (female) breasts is not permitted. As a rule, a minimum of a t-shirt and shorts must be worn at all times in public areas. "Anatomically correct" costumes, furry or otherwise must be likewise clothed.
Harassment and Assault
No means no. Stop means stop. Go away means go away. If someone doesn't understand these simple rules, contact a member of Convention Ops immediately. They have the right to remove an attendee's badge for not following these instructions.
Harassment is any behaviour that annoys or alarms another person. This includes unwanted physical contact, following someone in a public area without a legitimate reason, or threatening physical violence. An offender may lose their badge and the matter may be referred to the proper law enforcement authorities. Again, if you are being harassed contact Convention Ops immediately
Smoking
In line with UK legislation, the whole of the Youth Hostel is a no smoking area. If you wish to smoke, please do so well outside the building. Smoking anywhere in the building is an offence, punishable by a £50 on the spot fine, or up to £200 on conviction. If you are caught smoking, we will refer the matter to local law enforcement agencies.
Weapons
Our weapons policy, although simple, does require you to ensure that your weapon is properly secured. Any Weapon, replica or otherwise, must be Peace Bound while within convention space.
Peace Binding?
Peace Binding of a weapon consists of the use of a visible yellow cable/zip tie that prevents the owner from drawing the weapon or renders it ineffective as a weapon.
Do I have to Peace Bind my weapon?
The responsibility of ensuring that your weapon is Peace Bound is yours as the owner and/or wielder. However, Convention Ops will be happy to help any attendee that is unsure, unwilling or otherwise unable to Peace Bind their weapon(s).
Do I have to provide my own Peace Binding Tag?
If you'd like to do this, you may, but we would prefer you to use one of our identifiable ties. Convention Ops will make such ties available at registration. They will also be available from Convention Ops after registration.
Will Peace Binding harm my weapon?
If you have any concerns that your unique weapon may be harmed by the Peace Binding process, please voice your concerns to the Convention staff member assisting you and he/she will work with you to find a solution. (Keep in mind that the solution might be to leave it in with Convention Ops).
What if I refuse to Peace Bind my weapon?
You should come to the convention with the full knowledge that should you refuse to abide by the weapons policy, your badge will be confiscated and you will NOT be granted a refund. Subsequently, security forces will escort you off the premises.
I want to have a replica as part of my costume. Is that OK?
You may have a replica firearm which is clearly marked as a replica as part of your costume. Replica firearms must always be holstered and Peace Bound in convention spaces. Never point a replica firearm at anyone, or it will be confiscated by Security until the convention is over. If you have any questions about the suitability of a replica firearm, talk to a member of Convention Ops.
What if I want to use a replica firearm in an act for the Masquerade?
If used as part of your act in the Masquerade (or in rehearsals), or in the official costume photography area, you may draw a replica firearm from its holster. In these situations, you may point the replica at others, but only those involved in the performance! It should never be pointed at the audience, or anyone else not involved in the performance. If the event organiser decides beforehand that your replica must remain holstered, his/her decision is binding.
Video & Photography
ConFuzzled wants you to have great memories from a fantastic convention. Photographs and videotape footage by attendees are generally allowed in all common areas of the convention with the exception of the Art Show, Dealer's Den and Fursuit Lounge. Specific rules regarding these matters may exist for selected events.
When photographing or videotaping individuals or costumes, please use common courtesy and ask beforehand. Please respect their rights if they do not wish to be photographed or videotaped.
Individuals may take pictures and videotapes for private viewing or sharing with friends. Photography or videography for the purpose of sale or publication to the press is expressly forbidden unless written permission has been obtained from ConFuzzled UK Ltd.
Some events will be videotaped for the purposes of producing the convention highlights video and future marketing and promotion. Videotaping will also be conducted in public areas of the convention. No videotaping by convention staff will be conducted in guest rooms or in any other areas where an attendee has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Attendees should be aware that footage gathered in public areas of the convention - including events and panels - may be used in a highlights reel, and that attendees may appear in that tape without compensation. ConFuzzled will require a release only for footage that is obtained in areas that are not fully public (i.e. private functions and personal interviews.)
Policy Help
If you have any questions or comments regarding our policies, please send us an email: info@confuzzled.org.uk .
