Code of Conduct
Sydney Blues is a dance event focussed on learning and fun. Within these broad goals, we want everyone to feel they can participate and express themselves freely in a safe and inclusive environment. To that end, the Code of Conduct is provided here as a set of guidelines for expectations of behaviour throughout the event.
Respect
Consent
Inappropriate Behaviour
Photography / Video
Food & drink at parties
Issue Resolution
Feel free to contact Sydney Blues via the email link at the bottom of the page if you have any concerns or feedback about the Code of Conduct.
Respect
- It should go without saying that we want everyone to treat each other with respect, irrespective of the other person's gender identity, race, lifestyle, dance experience, dance role, or point of view.
Consent
- For everyone to feel safe at all times, we all need to ensure we seek consent before physically touching someone. Nobody is obligated to dance with someone if they don't want to. You can politely decline an offer to dance and you are under no obligation to offer a reason. If someone declines your offer to dance, then please respect their choice.
- Please also seek consent within the dance. E.g. someone may not feel comfortable being brought into close embrace with you during the dance. Try to be conscious of the non verbal signals and respect your dance partner's personal boundaries.
Inappropriate Behaviour
- Anything you do/attempt to do with someone else without their consent is inappropriate. The following are examples of inappropriate behaviour if your partner does not consent: holding someone in close embrace against their will, touching someone inappropriately, pushing your groin against your partner, pressing your face against their face, etc.
- If you accidentally touch someone in an inappropriate place, apologise straight away and adjust your dancing so it doesn't happen again. You will soon earn a reputation as "that creepy dancer" if it continues to occur.
- Inappropriate behaviour also includes talking disrespectfully to someone. See Respect section above.
- The dance floor can be a crowded space sometimes so it's important we respect each other's space and dance safely. If an accident does occur and you unintentionally hurt someone, stop dancing immediately to check they are ok and apologise.
- For the safety of everyone, the social dance floor is not the place for lifts.
- Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Sydney Blues reserves the right to warn people for inappropriate behaviour and may ask you to leave the event if such behaviour is repeated/continued.
Photography / Video
- Please do not take photos or video during the workshops as some students prefer not to be filmed, even if they are in the background. The teachers will do a recap at the end of each workshop where you'll be able to film without other students in the frame.
- There may be people taking photographs at the parties. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let one of the Sydney Blues team know when you check-in at the party.
- If you are planning to take photographs, please do not use flash. The dancers have the "right of way" on the dance floor so please respect their dance space.
- Respect a person's wishes if they do not want to be photographed or if they ask for a photograph of themselves to be deleted.
Food & drink at parties
- The Friday and Sunday night parties are being held at licensed venues that serve food and drinks, including alcohol. Please do not bring your own food or drinks to these parties. Please support the venues that are supporting our dance scene by buying food and drinks.
- The Saturday night party is being held at a dance studio where you can bring your own food and drinks.
Issue Resolution
- If you have a negative experience with someone during the course of the Sydney Blues event, we encourage you to deal directly with them to try and resolve the issue.
- If
this doesn't work or if you feel unsafe/uncomfortable in dealing
directly with the person, please seek the assistance of a person listed below or someone else in our community that you trust and feel can assist.
- The friendly and experienced people listed below are available for you to seek out during the weekend should you need assistance in resolving such an issue. If you don't know these people, then please ask at the registration desk and they will be able to point them out for you.
- Chris Kearns
- Justine Kinkade
- Nikki Roberts
- Katherine Sivieng
- Sam Zifchak
- Chris Kearns
Feel free to contact Sydney Blues via the email link at the bottom of the page if you have any concerns or feedback about the Code of Conduct.