SCBWI Marvelous Midwest Policies and Important Information
Please read through this document to familiarize yourself with our conference policies.
Safe and Supportive Space
This event is an SCBWI Safe and Supportive Space. It should be a positive experience for all attendees and faculty members. Be aware that some questions or comments that may seem innocuous to you could feel offensive to the person with whom you are speaking or groups that may hear you. Please pause and think.
All participants agree to abide by the SCBWI Anti-harassment Policy.
Things to keep in mind:
1. Our aim is to lift up, embrace, and encourage all voices. As stated by We Need Diverse Books, “We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Black, Indigenous people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities," as well as those with socio-economic differences, and neurodivergent individuals. Please treat each other with respect.
2. This is not the time or place to ask permission to write about a culture, race, or minority group other than your own. The first step toward creating diverse books for all readers may be recognizing that you may not be the best person to tell this particular story is. It is your responsibility to do the research. Often, this can take years of research. Likewise, if you are a faculty member who is evaluating a manuscript, portfolio, or book dummy from a voice outside your experience, please take time to consider your perspective before giving feedback that may not apply to this particular project.
3. Do not assume the person with whom you are meeting or speaking shares your political views or outlook.
4. Remember: a critique or review is about making your creative work the best it can be. Even though it can be painful to receive feedback on your work, it is intended to help you improve. When you receive your written critique, read it through. Take a deep breath. Give that feedback time to simmer before deciding which comments are helpful to you. If you meet face-to-face, focus on comments that puzzle you or those you aren’t sure how to address. Don’t waste time explaining why you were right and the critiquer was wrong. Critiques are subjective, so focus on what you feel will help improve your creative work. And remember, if a comment doesn’t resonate, you don’t have to use it!
5. If you become uncomfortable with a presentation or conversation during the conference, you should immediately notify a regional advisor from one of the hosting regions. These people will be clearly identified and introduced at the beginning of the conference. This person will guide you on how to report your experience to SCBWI headquarters and will take appropriate action per their prior Equity & Inclusion training.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Before February 13th:
All cancellations incur a $50 processing fee.
Only Registration and Intensive fees may be refunded.
No refunds will be granted for manuscript critiques, portfolio reviews, manuscript competition fees.
The registrant must contact Jodi McKay at michigan-RA@scbwi.org to request a refund.
February 13th or later:
At this time, no refunds will be offered, with the possible exception of a death in the family. Those who contract a communicable illness such as COVID-19 within five days of the event should not attend.
Registrations cannot be gifted to another in the case of cancellation.
If you must cancel, registration fees can be taken as a donation for tax purposes as no goods or services would be exchanged.
If a refund is granted, a $50 processing fee will be deducted from the total.
No refunds for manuscript critiques, portfolio reviews, or manuscript competition fees.
The registrant must contact Jodi McKay at michigan-RA@scbwi.org and request refund and/or donation paperwork.
SCBWI Region Events Covid Policy
Acknowledgement of Safety Policies
Due to the uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, your registration and admission are subject to all venue and organization safety and health policies, which include the Participation Promise and COVID-19 Daily Screening Questionnaire set forth below. You acknowledge that due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, the organization may continue to develop and update these policies in the intervening time between your registration and the Event date. By registering, accepting and/or using Event registration, you acknowledge and agree that you will comply with such policies and your attendance at the Event is conditioned on such compliance. If your admission to the Event is denied or revoked because you have willfully failed or refused to comply with any such safety and health policies of the venue organization, you will not be eligible for participation, a credit, or a refund.
Participation Promise
You agree, on behalf of yourself and on behalf of any other person for whom you are obtaining this registration, that you will not attend the Event if, under the CDC’s guidelines in effect at the time of the Event, it is recommended that, as of the date of the Event, you stay at home, quarantine and/or isolate (e.g., as a result of your testing positive, developing symptoms, or having a direct exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19). For reference, the CDC’s current recommendations are available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
In addition, you acknowledge and agree that you will perform daily COVID-19 screening (not testing) each morning of the event by 8:00 a.m. and will be prepared to submit proof of screening if requested to do so by the venue or the organization. The COVID-19 daily screening questionnaire is available below for reference.
All participants of the Event with symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter or participate in the Event. Further, all participants must comply with Safety Policies, health guidance, and signage at the Event, including wearing a high-quality mask (for example, an N95, KN95, KF94, or well-fitting surgical mask) while at the Event if required.
Daily Screening Questionnaire
- Do you have any of these symptoms that are not caused by another condition?
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Recent loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- If you are not fully vaccinated, have you been in close contact with anyone with COVID19 in the past 14 days? Close contact is being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period with a person; or having direct contact with fluids from a person with COVID-19 with or without wearing a mask (i.e., being coughed or sneezed on).
- Have you had a positive COVID-19 test for active virus in the past 10 days, or are you awaiting results of a COVID-19 test?
- Within the past 14 days, has a public health or medical professional told you to self-monitor, self-isolate, or self-quarantine because of concerns about COVID-19 infection?
Participants answering YES to any of the above questions will not be permitted access to the Event.