South Bay Dance Fling Code of Conduct

South Bay Dance Fling, in conjunction with the United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC) and the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC), their members, and their member events, are dedicated to providing a safe, joyful, and inclusive environment for members and attendees of our dance community. We strive to demonstrate integrity, fairness, and the highest ethical standards. We commit to ensuring that all community members are welcome, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, physical appearance, body size, religion, or any other designation.

We believe that the world of dance generally is a welcoming and socially-supportive environment. Instances of inappropriate behavior are rare, but we all have a responsibility to build safety into events and to contribute to the well-being of the dance community. This code of conduct is meant to outline some ways we can work together to keep everyone safe and happy.

Everyone in or around the event space, hotel, or exterior, regardless of the abovementioned designations, deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, and should in turn treat others around them with the same respect and dignity. This includes event staff, event volunteers, event attendees, hotel staff, and other hotel guests. Everyone at the event is in attendance to teach, learn, grow, compete, express, experience, and enjoy this art form that brings us together as well as each other, and everyone deserves to do that in a safe environment.

While participating in classes and contests, please be on time and respectful of staff and volunteers teaching and coordinating the particular class or contest. If you are late to a class, please try to not disrupt the group and join in when appropriate. If you are late to a contest, your tardiness may result in elimination, or being scratched from that contest to keep the schedule on time for the rest of the attendees. If this were to happen, please do not harass or argue with event staff.

Be respectful of those around you on the dance floor, especially your partner. Be aware of people’s boundaries. If you are unsure about their boundaries, ask first! If you misjudge someone’s boundaries (for example, bump into them on the dance floor, perform a move they are not comfortable with, express interest beyond dancing is not reciprocal, give unsolicited or undesired advice), please apologize.

Reporting Procedures

If you feel you have not been treated in a respectful manner, or feel unsafe at any point in time, please contact the registration manager at registration, a DJ at the DJ booth, the conduct representative listed below, or any of the event directors. A printed form will be available at the registration desk, and may be submitted anonymously. To receive information on outcomes and actions taken, a contact method must be provided on the form.

After Reporting

When a staff member is informed, our team will convene to choose a starting course of action:

Addressing the reporter directly to reach an amicable solution
Working with all parties involved to reach an amicable solution
Addressing any potential Code of Conduct violations and applying an appropriate consequence based on the informed judgement of the team

Consequences

Depending on the manner of the report submitted, consequences can range from but are not limited to:

Discussions where all parties show understanding and commitments to improvement
Agreements to keep individuals apart for the duration of the event
Removal from the event space without compensation or refund
Removal from the event space and removing future attendance

Thank you for helping us keep our event fun and safe for everyone!

Conduct Representative for South Bay Dance Fling 2024: Stuart Palmer (408) 529-6891