Read our policies carefully. They will affect your right to fully participate in the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), Gen-Fed Alumni Association meetings, or affiliated events. As part of the registration process, attendees will be required to show their agreement to abide by this policy, or attendance will not be possible. Attendees will abide by these policies when in all areas in company with other participants, to include in or around the premises of the National Archives; during tours and events sponsored by the Institute or Alumni Association; at the hotel, or in casual gatherings with other attendees for the week of the Institute. According to the Bylaws of the Corporation and policies of the Institute, the following apply:
Respect. This program serves, contracts with, and interacts with a diverse community. It has always been our policy to provide a learning environment that is free of conflict, intimidation, and discrimination. All who participate must be treated with dignity and respect. The National Archives are our hosts, and their staff should be accorded with special respect and courtesy. We have described this policy in writing because harassment of Institute participants in any form is unacceptable.
Anti-Discrimination. The purpose of the Institute is to provide advanced genealogical education to advanced researchers with particular focus on records created by the Federal Government which are available at the National Archives and its field branches and records centers. We will not tolerate discrimination or disrespect of any kind on the basis of economic status, gender, age, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or creed, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or political affiliation. Students, staff, and administrators are expected to use these guidelines within the Institute community to honor the right to freedom of expression with common sense and courtesy.
We are committed to fostering a neutral academic environment in which participants can learn and grow. Freedom of expression does not extend to harassing behavior or intimidation. Therefore, comments and actions that contravene this anti-discrimination policy should be reported to the Director or Assistant Director, and will be addressed. The penalty for a violation could include warnings to the offender or dismissal from an event or program, as well as forfeiture of tuition.
Political Neutrality. No substantial part of the activities of the Institute or its staff shall be for the carrying on of political propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The institute classes, events, social media, or publications shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Copyright. All materials whether in paper or digital form, including the syllabus, handouts, and presentation slides, are protected by intellectual copyright. Presentations should not be recorded, nor slides photographed. Such materials are distributed for your personal use and are not to be publicly shared, published, or copied without written permission of the author or Institute Director, as appropriate. A photograph of the presenter with a title slide may be appropriate for social media posts, but should only be taken with the express consent of the presenter. Some presentations are recorded by contract between the instructor and the institute; these recordings fall under the same rules of copyright and are not to be shared, screen-captured, or slides photographed.
Electronic Devices. To avoid disruption caused by the use of electronic devices in public settings, sound on laptops and other personal devices used for note-taking must be muted. Phones and pagers should be turned off or set to vibrate. Anyone who needs to place or receive a call should do so outside the room. This does not apply to attendees who wear or employ life-saving devices which emit sounds in the case of medical emergency.
Social Media. We encourage the use of blogs and social media to share your experiences. Please exercise common courtesy and respect—including but not limited to—giving credit where due, requesting permission when needed, adhering to copyright law and usage guidelines, and citing or linking to sources.
Attendance at Events. Tuition covers the costs of the Institute, digital and printed syllabus, and tours for each participant, but not transportation, lodging, or the Alumni dinner. Guests are not permitted to attend the Institute. Guest tickets will be available for the Alumni dinner only.
Acknowledgment of this policy, and agreement to abide by it, will be required in order to register for the Institute. Thank you for your support to ensure the safety of all.
Updated January 2024