Policies

This policy applies to all directors and volunteers, and anyone working on behalf of OH!CON CIC.

OH!CON acknowledges the threat facing the planet through climate change, the loss of species and biodiversity, deforestation, and the impact this is having on marginalised peoples and habitats across the world.  We are also aware of the profound influence that speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, art, graphic novels, gaming and comics have in provoking thinking and conversations about the future, and our role in it. Art and culture have the potential to raise awareness in a creative and interactive way to inspire solutions and action, leading to transformative change.

As Einstein said, “imagination is more important than knowledge’. It is through imagining different futures and how it can be achieved that will inspire individuals and communities to pursue the knowledge and ways that can effect positive change. And we intend to have enormous fun while doing that.

We are a small organisation, delivering a few annual events, but we are committed to putting environmental sustainability at the heart of everything we do.

How we will do this

Travel and Transport

Travel is a significant challenge for us as it is hard to avoid plane travel when inviting guests to the islands. However, we do commit to keeping our guest numbers low due to this impact travel has on our carbon footprint, along with aiming to invite Scottish artists first, to minimise travel.  We will also support artists who wish to slow travel by subsiding, as our funding allows, longer travel times to and from the islands.

We feel that the powerful positive long-term impact that meeting our guest artists in person has on our audiences, in some way offsets the negative impact this has on the environment.

Paper and printing

We will use recycled paper, as far as is feasible, for any printing we do and carefully consider quantities to ensure that waste is minimal. Where practical, name tags for example, we will look at using ‘plantable’ paper to further reduce waste.

Programme

Through our programming, we will think of ways to highlight environmental concerns and how we can all mitigate and adapt to these changes. These approaches could be through the theme of the event, or through smaller individual activities, such as talks and workshops.

For cosplay costumes and fabrication, we always encourage using recycled materials and preloved fabrics and clothing in inventive and new ways, therefore encouraging a circular economy approach.

Catering and subsistence

On those occasions when catering and hospitality is under our management, we will encourage a largely plant-based approach, and will strive for at least 50%, if not more, of all provisions to be vegan. We will also investigate alternatives to supplying volunteers and guests with plastic water bottles at events, to use a more long-term and sustainable approach.

Resources and suppliers

For arts and craft activities, we also commit to sourcing, as far as is practical, supplies locally. If the quantities needed make this impractical, we will ensure that we use suppliers with a clear and up to date environmental policy and source more sustainable ‘eco’ options where available.

This policy applies to all directors and volunteers, and anyone working on behalf of OH!CON CIC.

OH!CON CIC believes that children, young people and vulnerable adults should not experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults and we are committed to practicing in a way that protects them from harm.

The purpose of this policy is to:

• To protect children and young people taking part in our activities or receiving our services
• To protect vulnerable adults taking part in our activities or receiving our services
• To provide our staff with the principles that guide our approach to child protection. 

All volunteers working for OH!CON are acting in a position of trust and are expected to behave in an appropriate manner at all times. 

How we will do this

We will:

• Treat everyone fairly, with respect, dignity and as an individual.
• Ensure that contact with children and young people is appropriate and relevant to OH!CONs activities.
• Ensure that language used is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory
• Be aware of any additional vulnerabilities that some children, young people or communities may face.
• Respect children and young people’s right to privacy.
• Ensure that activities are run as safely as possible with risks minimised.
• Where possible, try to ensure there is more than one adult present during activities.
• Understand when physical contact is appropriate and be aware that physical contact can be misinterpreted.
• Challenge unacceptable behaviour and report any concerns or allegations.
• Ensure that no photos or videos are taken unless with full consent of those involved

Legal framework

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
• Children and Young People (Scotland) Act (2014)
• Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act (2007)
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2018) • Equality Act (2010)
• Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)

This policy links to Creative Safety (pdf): Child Protection Guidelines for Scotland's Arts, Screen and Creative Industries.

This policy applies to all directors and volunteers, and anyone working on behalf of OH!CON CIC.

OH!CON CIC is committed to being a proactive player in shaping a diverse, tolerant, inclusive and respectful society.

Through our annual comic con and all activities, we aim to remove barriers and make our activities as inclusive and as accessible as possible in order to create opportunities for all people to engage with, experience and participate in our event.

How we will do this

• Ensuring that ticket prices are always kept affordable. 
• Provide online access to talks, so that those unable to travel to OH!CON activities have the opportunity to be involved in the comic con.
• Provide bilingual information and signage and ensure that all print materials are available in large format on request.
• Work with local charities and groups to try to make all OH!CON activities accessible to all levels of ability.
• Provide BSL interpretation for all talks delivered at OH!CON, as far as funding and availability allow
• Strive to build and develop programmes and content that challenge intolerance and discrimination, and inspire a culture of understanding and acceptance. 

Legal context

The Equality Act (2010), is intended to protect individuals from unfair treatment. It states that it is against the law to or discriminate against someone based on a list of Protected Characteristics. The Protected Characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. All people may have some of these characteristics, such as being a specific age or age range; therefore, the Equality Act (2010) applies to all people.