HARASSMENT POLICY AND CODE OF CONDUCT


Cream City Swing Dance is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming space to our community - regardless of gender, race, ability, physical appearance, or sexual orientation.  Board, staff, and participants are all responsible for creating and maintaining this safe space for themselves and others. 


HARASSMENT POLICY

No harassment or discrimination of any kind (physical or otherwise) will be tolerated at any CCSwing event.  

Harassment may include but is not limited to: inappropriate, aggressive, or non-consensual physical contact; offensive verbal comments; sexual or offensive images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption; and continued unwelcome sexual attention (regardless of the harasser’s initial intent).  

CCSwing reserves the right to take any action deemed appropriate to resolve violations of this policy including but not limited to: issuing a warning and requesting that the behavior cease immediately, expulsion from the event with no refund and/or banning from future CCSwing events. 

If you experience or witness harassment at a CCSwing event, please make a member of our staff aware as soon as possible - in person or via email at creamcityswing@gmail.com - and we will help to the best of our ability.

Harassment policy based on language from FrimFram Jam.


CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE FLOOR:

DO feel free to ask anyone for a dance - lead or follow, any gender, any experience level!  

DON’T feel obliged to accept a dance if you don’t feel like dancing for any reason.  “No” is a complete sentence, and you never need to give a reason.  If you have been turned down for a dance, no need to take it personally – there are many reasons why someone turns down a dance, but DO respect that dancer’s response.

DO respect your and your partner’s personal comfort on the floor.  Lindy Hop is a physical, sometimes close contact, activity and if something is hurting, feels uncomfortable, you have a prior injury or condition or your partner is a little too close, let them know or modify in the moment.

DON’T throw air steps on the social dance floor. This includes throws, drops, and lifts - anything that takes your partner off their feet. 

DO be aware of the other dancers around you to minimize collisions, particularly on crowded floors. Take care to ensure that you are not putting yourself, your partner, or others in danger. If you do make contact with another dancer on the floor, check in, apologize, and offer help if they need it.


DON’T offer unsolicited advice on the dance floor or in class.  Side teaching is distracting and disrespectful – everyone has something they need to work on, but they don’t need it pointed out to them unless they ask directly for feedback.


DO consider hygiene.  Regular hand washing or using sanitizer is always appreciated.  Reapplying deodorant and/or bringing a change of shirt or towel if you tend to get sweaty is helpful. 

DO respect the rules of the venue and other people’s property.  CCSwing is not responsible for your personal property - theft, damage, or otherwise.

Photos or video capturing your likeness may be taken during our events and used on our website or social media.

Swing dance is a physical activity. CCSwing cannot be held accountable for any injury you may sustain while participating—you are participating at your own risk -- but we must all contribute towards keeping CCSwing events safe, fun, and respectful for everyone.  Thank you!