Lancaster Swing Dance is dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming, family friendly environment during its events. All individuals on the premise of an event sponsored by or associated with Lancaster Swing Dance are expected to adhere to this code of conduct.

Be respectful and inclusive.

Our mission is to create a warm community of social dancers where everyone can enjoy themselves doing something they love. This environment is for everyone regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, disability, physical appearance, religion, age, lifestyle, nationality, citizenship, dance experience, or dance role. No harassment of any kind will be tolerated.

Respect your partner, your fellow dancers, and yourself

Please ask politely for a dance and wait to receive consent before escorting someone to the dance floor. Be gracious if turned down. Every person has the right to decline an invitation without providing a reason, but be polite when doing so. Be mindful of what physical space and connection your partner is comfortable with; acknowledge that the personal boundaries of others may not be the same as our own. Do not offer unsolicited advice to fellow dancers either in class or on the social dance floor. If you accidentally bump someone during a dance or unintentionally cross a person’s boundaries, apologize immediately. If you are sick, stay home!

Maintain appropriate behavior.

We do not tolerate harassment or assault of any form, whether that be physical, verbal, or psychological. This includes verbal comments that are intimidating or coercive, stalking (which includes following someone around and continually injecting oneself into their conversations at a dance event when they have not directly requested this engagement), repeated unwanted attention (in-person or online), inappropriate physical contact during or between dances, or unwelcome sexual advances.

Participants asked to stop any behavior which is considered harassment are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Offenders may be banned permanently at the discretion of the hosts.

If you experience or witness a violation of this rule, please bring it to the attention of the Lancaster Swing Dance board.

Practice good hygiene.

The basics: come showered with teeth brushed! If you tend to sweat in abundance, pack a few spare shirts. Bring breath mints or chew gum, especially if you’ve just had a particularly odor-heavy meal.

Act responsibly for the safety of you, your partner, and those around you.

Practice floorcraft: you and your partner are both responsible for protecting yourselves and each other during the dance. Pay attention to the dancers around you, and keep your feet, elbows, head, and hands away from other dancers! Do not throw down aerials on the social dance floor. If your motor control and judgment are impaired due to inebriation or being under the influence of any substance, we will ask you to leave.

If you ever find yourself in an uncomfortable situation at one of our events, please do not hesitate to immediately find a member of the Lancaster Swing Dance team. You can typically find a board member at the front desk or at the DJ booth. Our first priority is for everyone to have a good time in a safe and comfortable space, and we will do everything we can to support you.

If you experience or observe something concerning, please report it as soon as possible!

1. Approach an organizer or the DJ Booth to request to speak with one of the individuals stewarding the space, i.e. a board member.

2. Message the Lancaster Swing Dance Facebook Page

3. Email lancasterswingdance@gmail.com

What you can expect if you bring an issue to the staff:

• An initial conversation with the staff member(s) away from other attendees.

• Complete confidentiality (unless we are sure that someone is in immediate/direct danger).

• The staff member will fill out an internal and confidential incident report (description of the event).

• If the situation directly involved you, you will be asked how you would like the situation to be handled. The board reserves the right to act according to their discretion, particularly if there is deemed to be an immediate threat or danger to other individuals.

• If the incident involves a violation of Lancaster Swing Dance’s Code of Conduct, the board will handle the situation in one of the following ways: the individual accused of the violation will be watched but not approached (we keep an eye on ongoing actions), spoken to about their behavior, removed from the event, or permanently banned.

What you can expect if a staff member brings something to your attention:

• An initial conversation with the staff member(s) away from attendees.

• Complete confidentiality (unless we are sure that someone is in immediate/direct danger).

• The staff member will fill out an internal and confidential incident report (description of the event).

• Whatever action our team deems appropriate depending on the situation being addressed, including a warning, being asked to leave, or expulsion from the event with no refund.