What Conduct Policies Does CARWA/RWA Have for Members?

The Calgary Association of Romance Writers of America (CARWA) applies RWA's Antidiscrimination and Antiharassment Policy to all members. In plain terms, RWA states that it is committed to providing every member with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, and that discrimination and harassment of any sort are prohibited. The stated purpose is to create a safe and respectful environment.

What the policy covers

Based on the policy language published on calgaryrwa.com, the key points are:

• Who it applies to: all RWA members, which includes CARWA chapter members.
• What is prohibited: discrimination and harassment "of any sort."
• What RWA commits to: an environment free from discrimination and harassment for all members.
• Why: to create a safe and respectful environment.

The policy is written as a broad prohibition rather than a list of specific banned behaviors, so it does not itemize examples of what counts as discrimination or harassment.

Where this fits in the membership experience

The conduct policy sits alongside the practical side of belonging to CARWA. Membership includes chapter-sponsored events, discounted workshop registration, an email loop, a private Facebook group for "water cooler discussions," a public Facebook page for promoting members' books, and access to the current membership list for networking. Meetings take place on Zoom, with occasional in-person meet-ups.

Because much of that activity happens in shared spaces — the email loop, the Facebook groups, and Zoom meetings — the policy functions as the baseline expectation for how members treat each other in those settings.

What the policy does not specify

The published text does not describe:

• a reporting process or who to contact about a concern;
• how complaints are reviewed or what consequences follow;
• definitions or examples of prohibited conduct.

If you need those details, they would have to come from RWA directly rather than from the chapter page.

Practical takeaway

If you are considering joining CARWA, the conduct expectation is straightforward: RWA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any sort and commits to a safe, respectful environment for all members. That applies across chapter activities, including the Zoom meetings, email loop, and Facebook spaces. For anything beyond that general commitment — such as how to raise a concern — you would need to check with RWA or the chapter directly, since the published policy does not spell out a procedure.