IEST POLICIES AND CODE OF CONDUCT

General Policies

Bookstore Policies

Conference and Course Registrations

Virtual Meetings and Trainings

Code of Conduct


GENERAL POLICIES

This Policy Agreement states the general, bookstore orders, and registration orders policies of IEST. Please read carefully.

IEST reserves the right to amend the policies at any time. You should check the Policy Agreement periodically to determine if any changes have been made.

IEST reserves the right to charge a 5% administrative fee on additional transactions arising from customer order errors.

All orders must be paid in full at the time the order is processed. IEST does not invoice or accept purchase orders as payment. IEST will provide a Proforma Invoice if requested.

A $40 fee will be charged for nonsufficient fund checks or credit card charge claims in error.

All member dues must be current at the time of order to qualify for the member rate.

A Membership of IEST belongs to the joining member. Benefits of membership can only be used by the individual member and cannot be transferred or used by other individuals, even within the member’s organization. Membership dues are non-refundable and transferable. Membership transfers require the member’s permission.

Membership period runs on a fixed billing cycle. Membership period runs from May 1 - April 30 for all members.

Incoming New Members pay the full annual dues rate at the time of application. Upon renewal of membership, the member dues will be prorated for the unused months. The prorated amount will apply only if the membership is renewed. No refunds will be given.

Renewal notices are sent February - June via e-mail and US mail.

Non-U.S.: Place orders online with international credit card or send check payable to IEST drawn on a U.S. bank in USD. Balance of payment after any bank charges or fees must be equal to the full cost of the order. IEST does not accept bank/wire transfers.


BOOKSTORE POLICIES

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All orders must be placed online in the Bookstore or by contacting Techstreet by email, phone, or fax.

IEST Memberships are on an individual basis. Membership discount is a benefit of membership and can only be used by the individual member. Membership benefits cannot be transferred or used by other individuals, even within the member’s organization except in the case of a member through a corporate sponsorship.

Publications purchased by members at a discounted rate cannot be resold. IEST prohibits reselling of publications without expressed written approval from the IEST Executive Director.

All Publications are protected by copyright. Therefore, and unless otherwise specified, no part of a Publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and scanning, without permission in writing from the publisher.

See the Bookstore's Help and Support menu for more information on ordering through the Bookstore.


CONFERENCE OR COURSE REGISTRATION ORDERS

By attending an IEST conference, meeting, or other event, the attendee assumes all risks and accepts sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind that the attendee may experience or incur in connection with attending the event. The attendee releases covenants not to sue, discharges, and holds harmless IEST, its employees, agents, and representatives, of any such claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs, or related expenses. Specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the attendee voluntarily assumes the risk of exposure or infection by attending any IEST event, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, disability, and/or death to attendee. Attendee understands that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at any IEST event may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of others who may attend the event/event site or their families, colleagues, or others with whom they may have contact. Accordingly, attendee understands and agrees that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of IEST, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in the event. The attendee agrees to comply with all COVID-related procedures and policies that may be implemented by IEST or the venue at any event, including but not limited to, mask-wearing and social distancing requirements, in order to protect all event attendees and IEST employees, agents, and representatives.

By attending an IEST conference, meeting, or other event, you authorize the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) to use, reproduce, and/or publish photographs and/or video that may pertain to you, including image, likeness, and/or voice without compensation. This material may be used in various publications, public affairs releases, recruitment materials, broadcast public service advertising (PSAs) or for other related endeavors. This material may also appear on the IEST website. IEST may publish materials, use your name, photograph, and/or make reference to you in any manner that the IEST deems appropriate in order to promote/publicize service opportunities.

Conference registrants must abide by IEST Policies and Code of Conduct and local and federal law and conduct themselves in a professional manner during the conference and social events. During conference educational or technical presentations, registrants are prohibited from bringing alcohol into the education, meeting, and conference areas and from engaging in drinking alcohol; illicit drug use; and any and all activities that may be potentially disruptive or hazardous. During IEST social events, the venue reserves the right to refuse service to any attendee under the legal drinking age or any visibly intoxicated person. IEST reserves the right to restrict conference access for any person whose conduct is disruptive or hazardous.

Be sure to review the registration information of the conference or meeting for full details specific to the conference/meeting.

Transfers: All registrations are transferable to another person for the same event A $35 transfer fee applies. Transfer of a member registration to a nonmember registration will be charged the difference in fees.

Cancellations: Cancellation requests received 60 days or more prior to the start of the event will receive a full refund LESS a $75 administration fee. Cancellation requests received 30-59 days prior to the start of the event will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellation requests received less than 30 days prior to the start of the event. IEST reserves the right to cancel course(s), in which case registrants will receive a refund of the fee. IEST is not responsible for any refund or remuneration for hotel, transportation, additional registration fees, tours, or other expenses related to attendance beyond the registration fee refund.

Vitural Training: No refunds for any reason will be issued after course instructions and materials have been sent to attendees.

When registering three participants for an education course, the complimentary registration received will be equal or lesser value.

IEST reserves the right to cancel courses, in which case registrants will receive a full refund of the tuition fee. IEST is not responsible for any refund or remuneration for hotel, transportation, addition registration fees, tours, or other expenses related to attendance beyond the registration fee refund.

Registrant is responsible for providing for his/her own hotel accommodations.

IEST assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions made by instructors and presenters.

International Registrants:

As a general planning guideline for attendees from outside the United States requiring entry visas, due to the scientific nature of the IEST meeting, the US State Department recommends that any required visa applications should be made no later than 90 days in advance of the travel. Your registration information and correspondence may be forwarded to US authorities. Whenever possible, IEST conferences are registered with the US State Department. Below is the general International Attendees policy. Please be sure to view the International Attendees Requirements page specific to the meeting you plan to attend.

All International Attendees must be pre-registered prior to IEST granting invitation letter requests. Invitation letters will be mailed via US Postal Service. If registrant prefers to have the letter sent via UPS, FedEx, or US Express Mail, the registrant is responsible for paying shipping charges prior to the letter being sent or should provide a shipping account number to which billing charges can be charged.

IEST will send ONE invitation letter by US Postal Service per registrant. No electronic copies will be supplied. IEST is not responsible for missing, lost, or undelivered invitation letters.

If additional copies of the invitation letter are requested, a $25 processing fee per letter will be charged plus shipping charges (if applicable). The processing fee must be prepaid prior to the invitation letter being sent.

For individuals pre-registered by the specified date for the conference, who fail to obtain a Visa, IEST will refund the registration amount less $50 processing fee. NO REFUNDS will be granted for individuals pre-registering after the specified date for the conference who fail to obtain a Visa.


IEST VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND TRAINING CODE OF CONDUCT

IEST is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all virtual meeting participants. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, faculty, volunteers, leadership, employees, vendors and sponsors, independent consultants, and all others are expected to abide by this Virtual Meetings and Training Code of Conduct. This applies to all IEST meeting-related events, on public or private platforms.

IEST has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings. Unacceptable behavior is defined as:

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
  • Verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, faculty, volunteer, leader, vendor, sponsor, IEST employee, independent consultant, or other meeting guest.
  • Disruption of presentations during sessions or training, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by IEST throughout the virtual meeting. All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderator and any IEST virtual event staff.
  • Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services. IEST reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
  • Participants are invited to turn on their mics and webcams during networking and open discussion but must have their mics and webcams off during presentations or when instructed to do so by IEST or the moderator.
  • Chat and Q&A will be used to communicate during the conference to monitor questions and comments. Please do not copy or take screenshots of Q&A or any chat room activity that takes place in the virtual space.

IEST reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and IEST reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting, virtually or in person. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, please contact IEST at executive@iest.org or 847-981-0100.


CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct embodies the ethical responsibilities IEST stakeholders have to each other, to the profession, and to IEST when engaged in IEST activities, participating in IEST events, or acting on behalf of IEST. Stakeholders include IEST members, volunteers, leadership, faculty, training and event participants, vendors and sponsors, independent consultants, and employees.

IEST stakeholders commit to work in accordance with the ethical standards outlined in this Code of Conduct and to encourage the development and implementation of these ethical standards within the industries and professions represented by IEST stakeholders. When acting on behalf of IEST, stakeholders commit to uphold fair, honest, and courteous dealings that help advance the IEST Mission.

IEST commits to providing equitable access to opportunities in membership, volunteer engagement, participation in activities, and employment to stakeholders who agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.


No part of this Code of Conduct may be waived or suspended. The IEST Executive Board is responsible for initiating and supervising the investigation of reports of violations of this Code of Conduct and taking appropriate disciplinary action.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

The broad ethical concepts embraced by this Code of Conduct are the following:

Honesty: Understanding the truth; acting in a truthful manner in communications and conduct; striving to create an environment in which others feel safe to tell the truth.

Respect: Demonstrating a high regard for self and others; encouraging trust, confidence, and performance excellence by fostering mutual cooperation; embracing diverse views and perspectives.

Fairness: Behaving and making decisions in an impartial, objective manner; avoiding competing self-interest, prejudice, and favoritism.

Responsibility: Taking ownership for behavior, decisions or failure to make decisions, actions or failure to take actions, and the consequences that result.

Based on these concepts, IEST stakeholders are committed to uphold the following standards of conduct:


STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

  • Adhere to the highest scientific and professional standards.
  • Provide the highest level of service to other stakeholders.

OBEY THE LAW

  • Know and abide by the laws and regulations that govern the profession and industry.
  • Never ask another stakeholder to violate the law.
  • Question and report activities that appear to violate the law.

RESPECT COLLEAGUES

  • Treat all stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness, courtesy, and good faith.
  • Maintain respect for colleagues when disagreeing on theoretical, methodological, or personal approaches to professional activities.
  • Accept group decisions and consensus.
  • Honestly and accurately describe personal knowledge, experience and expertise, and credentials.
  • Never knowingly make false or malicious statements about a colleague.
  • Never engage in discrimination, harassment, bullying, inappropriate language, or humiliation of any kind in regard to another’s age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, knowledge or skill level, or any other factor.
  • Never act violently or threaten violence.
  • Never take unfair advantage of another stakeholder through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair-dealing practice.
  • Raise concerns and report dishonest or improper conduct by stakeholders.

MAINTAIN FAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES

  • Behave in a professional, businesslike manner.
  • Refrain from any unethical business dealings including, but not limited to, payments for illegal acts, indirect contributions, rebates, and bribery.
  • Refrain from collusive or anti-competitive behavior.
  • Refrain from using position or knowledge gained from position for private or personal advantage.

PROTECT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

  • Respect the confidentiality of information gained through business and professional activities.
  • Use only reputable and reliable sources when obtaining information.
  • Use confidential information only for the purposes for which it was originally obtained.
  • Protect the physical security of confidential information.
  • Retain confidential information only for as long as necessary or as required by law.
  • Continue to observe confidentiality after the information has been used or is no longer needed and after related activities have concluded.

SUPPORT IEST AND FELLOW STAKEHOLDERS

  • Advance, support, and promote IEST membership through word and deed.
  • Provide IEST stakeholders with information needed to make informed decisions regarding IEST interests in a timely manner.
  • Promptly and completely disclose to appropriate parties all potential and actual conflicts of interest.
  • Never advance private interests at the expense of the interests of IEST or its stakeholders.
  • Never undermine the efforts of other IEST stakeholders engaged in IEST activities.
  • Place the net benefit of the IEST community over and above the interests of any individual or organization.
  • Distinguish between personal convictions and professional duties and prevent personal beliefs from interfering with fair representation of the aims of IEST.
  • When communicating publicly on matters that involve IEST activities, never presume to speak for IEST on any topic unless requested by IEST to disseminate expressed views.
  • If entrusted with confidential information when engaged in IEST activities, disclose such information only with written authorization or when required by law.
  • Work within IEST policies and established systems and process.
  • Never ask another stakeholder to go against IEST policy or the ethical standards set forth in this Code of Conduct.

 

IEST POLICIES, CODE OF CONDUCT, AND TERMS OF USE:

 

 

I have read and agree to IEST's Registration Policy, Code of Conduct, and Terms of Use.

 

 

General Policies Bookstore Policies Conference and Course Registrations Virtual Meetings and Trainining Code of Conduct