Code of Conduct

We feel passionate about creating a Safe, Inclusive, Equitable, Loving & Diverse environment. If you come to TAP, please know we expect you to conduct yourself in a way that nurtures this culture. This code of conduct is meant to outline some ways we can work together to keep everyone safe and happy. It also helps make sure we have communicated what we consider to be acceptable behavior.  

 
How to be popular and safe at events:

● Be respectful of those around you on the dance floor. If you bump into someone, apologize. If you hurt someone, apologize, and also try to figure out how you can keep it from happening again. This might mean not dancing with them again, or talking to your teacher.

● Respect other people’s boundaries. We can do some crazy things around here, please remember just because you see someone do something with someone else doesn’t mean they will want to do it with you! This applies to everything from close dance holds to moves like dips, flirty conversations or just agreeing to dance. If you aren’t sure of someone’s boundaries, or can’t tell from their nonverbal cues, then ask

them. If you misjudge, and they ask you to stop, either verbally or nonverbally (such as with a facial expression or a body language cue), then stop.

● Ask, and respond, respectfully. People around here usually happily accept an invitation to dance, but it is also okay to say “no.” If you are turned down for a dance, please respect that decision and find someone else to dance with instead. If at any point in a dance you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you can tell your partner that you are uncomfortable, ask for any adjustments you need, or stop the dance before the song ends without explanation. Requests for your own safety and comfort are respectful of our partner as your ally in creating fun for everyone, and are not the same as offering someone unsolicited feedback on their dance skills (which is generally considered rude). If you are often uncomfortable in dances or often the recipient of these kinds of requests for adjustments, you should consider reaching out to a teacher or trusted ally for help.

● Remember that alcohol and other substances can make it harder to judge boundaries accurately;

please be mindful of your limits so that you can be mindful of others. This environment is for everyone regardless of race, age, level of dance, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, disability, physical appearance, religion, or anything else. We do not tolerate harassment or threats of any kind. Within reason, any preventable situation which makes another person feel unsafe or uncomfortable to the point of being unable to enjoy the event is unacceptable and can be considered harassment. If you harass or threaten someone, you may be asked to leave. 

What to do if you witness or are subjected to unacceptable or harassing behavior:

Please watch out for each other and help us to take care of you. If you aren’t sure if someone else is okay, please take a closer look: ask them for a dance to draw them away from the situation, or ask, in a friendly way, if they need help. If you are subjected to harassing behavior, notice that someone else is being subjected to unsafe or unacceptable behavior, or have other concerns along these lines, you can seek out our management team or the current DJ on shift. The DJs will have instructions on how to contact our management team. We promise to listen and to treat you with respect and confidentiality.

Consequences of unacceptable behavior:

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable or harassing behavior is expected to do so immediately. Actions that compromise the safe and respectful environment of this event are not acceptable from any member of our community: attendees, teachers, judges, performers, volunteers or staff. Depending on the severity, event organizers’ interventions in response to a problem may range from talking to the offending person and asking them to do or not do something, to asking them to leave the venue immediately without warning, compensation or refund. Those conversations or actions may take place in private if that seems appropriate to the situation. If you see additional problems after you or someone else spoke with us initially, we’d like to hear about them too. We want this to be a place everyone can enjoy. We are grateful for your help and commitment to making our shared environment safe for everyone.

Safety Contacts:

Tracy Wang, Safety Lead – Cell (818) 667-8626

Helen Tocco, Safety Lead – Cell (301) 351-9057
Travis Swartzlander, On Site First Responder – Cell (tbd)

Demetre Souliotes, Safety Lead & Co-Event Director, [email protected]

Chuck Brown, Co-Event Director, [email protected]

This document was adapted from the amazing work of Kay Newhouse and Dave Moldover for Dance Jam Productions. Thank you for your work!

If you are an Event Director and might be interested in making your event a SHIELD EVENT, please reach out to Demetre. This concept is evolving, but in short we ask that you make a good faith effort to add diversity to your staff, make sure our LGBTQ community members know that your event is a safe place, and to train all of your DJs to be ‘SHIELD AGENTS’. This simply requires them to be trained on how to respond to attendees needing a safe space or to report being triggered. And that all DJs have a manager to call. a