About & Code of Conduct

JiffyCon, founded in 2006, is a regular, bi-annual showcase of new and innovative games, many written by local people from Greenfield, Northampton, and the Pioneer Valley area. It has been held in Greenfield, Northampton, Amherst, Cambridge and Somerville, MA, and is held 1-2 times per year.

The games at JiffyCon are primarily table-top roleplaying games. These interactive, storytelling and adventure games are taught to players at the convention. If you haven't played them before, dive right in! The games range over a wide variety of topics and tones: from dystopian science fiction, to spy vs. guy drama, to spinning Arabian or Japanese fairy tales. As available, games are offered for younger participants. See the postings about individual events for more information.

Board games and larp are also offered at JiffyCon occasionally. Open gaming is offered during gaming sessions when possible, with board games available to borrow and play including Carcassone, Settlers of Catan, Pit, Dominion and others. We partner with local game stores, game development support groups, independent game companies.

All participants must abide by the Code of Conduct shown below.

Our Mission:

  • To promote the design and play of independently published and small press role playing games
  • To create a friendly atmosphere where people can learn new games and meet new friends
  • To support the games community and industry in western Massachusetts
  • To provide a safe and inclusive environment for people to enjoy recreational tabletop roleplaying, live action, board and other games. 

Code of Conduct:

JiffyCon is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, political, philosophical or religious beliefs. We do not tolerate harassment of con participants in any form. Con participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers. Events will be cancelled if found to violate these policies. 


Defining Harassment

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

·         Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion

·         Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following

·         Harassing photography or recording

·         Sustained disruption of talks or other events

·         Inappropriate physical contact

·         Unwelcome sexual attention
·         Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior


Enforcement of Code of Conduct

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately
Exhibitors, sponsor or vendor booths, or similar activities are also subject to the anti-harassment policy, with refund of any merchant fees paid if asked to leave.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.

Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities. We think people should follow these rules outside event activities too!

Reporting

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. We want you to be happy at our event. People like you make our event a better place.
You can make a report either personally or anonymously.


Emergency Aid

If you are in immediate physical danger, please call 911!

Anonymous Report

You can make an anonymous report to the local authorities:
Amherst Police (413) 259-3000

Personal Report

You can make a personal report by:
  • Calling or messaging the emergency phone number:, which will be provided on site. This phone number will be continuously monitored for the duration of the event.
  • Contacting a staff member, identified by name tag.

When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we'll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we'll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won't be asked to confront anyone and we won't tell anyone who you are.

Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel/venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.

Organizers: jiffycon@gmail.com
Phone number contact: this will be provided on-site.

Other Resources:

Dial  413.559.5424 from a cell phone or off campus, or  dial x 1-911 or x 5555 from a campus phone (both will connect to dispatch).

Using your TTY, call MassRelay at 711 or 800.439.2370
Speech-to-Speech (for clarity) Call MassRelay STS at 866.645.9870

The campus police department is located on the ground floor of the Harold F. Johnson Library Center. The Hampshire College campus police department provides protection and services to all members of the College community, including its visitors and guests, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Phone: dial 911 for emergencies or 413-259-3000 to report a crime.
Location: 111 Main St, Amherst, MA 01002

Sexual Assault Hot Lines: if you are in immediate danger, dial 911!

Located at UMass in Amherst, MA, provides a 24-hour hotline is always available, please call 413-545-0800 if you'd like to speak with a counselor.  Further services. 
Multicultural campus-based center established in 1972. Offer many services to meet the needs of the diverse cultural and linguistic populations of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Five Colleges and surrounding Hampshire County community.

Safe Passage  (413) 586-5066 or (888) 345-5282 (toll-free)
Located in Northampton MA, Safe Passage operates a hotline 24 hours per day, every day of the year.  Hotline counselors help people in crisis, as well as those seeking support or information about domestic violence.  


Medical Services

Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Main Switchboard (413) 582-2000; for TDD access, dial (413) 586-8866.
Emergency Department 30 Locust Street (Route 9), Northampton, Mass. 01061-5001

AEIOU Urgent Care 170 University Drive, Amherst, opens M-F until 8 p.m. and weekends until 5 p.m., 413.461.3530.

CVS Minute Clinic 1.866.389.ASAP (2727), 165 University Drive, Amherst, MA,  open until 7 p.m. M-F, and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.  on weekends.

Taxi/Transportation

Funky Cab (413) 586-6666
T Valley Cab (413) 461-3545
Taxi Express 413.977.0769
Valley Transporter (for transportation to rail & airport) (413) 253-1350

This policy is based on the example policy from the Geek Feminism wiki, created by the Ada Initiative and other volunteers.