Code of Conduct
The following applies to everyone involved with Downbeat Vintage Swing Society. All attendees, instructors, staff, and volunteers are required to comply with the following Code of Conduct. Organizers will enforce this code at every dance. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everyone. We are committed to promoting joy, respect, learning, and connection through vintage swing dance, which includes fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone. Even if incidents occur outside of our events, we may act if your presence creates an unsafe or unwelcoming environment for others.
Everyone is Welcome
We welcome everyone regardless of gender/gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, religion, age, employment status, dance ability, or dance role. Everyone deserves to feel welcome on and off the dance floor and to be treated with kindness and respect.
Dance Roles
We encourage all dancers to have the choice of following, leading, or both. We recommend asking someone which role they would like to dance when you ask them. Try not to assume someone’s dance role based on their appearance.
Rotation of Partners
We encourage rotation of partners during all of our classes, events, and workshops. If you are uncomfortable with this for any reason, then please ensure that you sign up together with a fixed partner (with their consent), and dance with them for the duration of the class, block of classes, or workshop. If you’d like to dance with a fixed partner, you should email us beforehand to let us know, and inform the teachers at the beginning of the class. The teacher will tell the rest of the dancers to skip over you and your partner during the rotation. This ensures a smooth rotation for the rest of the class.
Harassment Policy
We do not tolerate harassment of our participants in any form (in person or online). Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate at our venues or online. Participants violating these rules may be suspended or expelled from our events without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers.
Do not use misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or racist language or behavior. Respect the culture and experiences of other people. This includes things like wearing t-shirts with offensive words or images. Harassment of any kind – verbal, physical, or social – is not acceptable. This includes unwanted attention, inappropriate comments, or repeated boundary violations. We will not tolerate deliberate intimidation, stalking, harassing photography/recording, or sustained disruption of classes or events. Social dances are not pick-up venues – unsolicited romantic or sexual advances are not permitted.
Consent & Boundaries
Respect the bodies, personal space, and comfort levels of other people. Always ask for and respect consent when inviting someone to dance. Partner dancing can involve close contact with others and we must respect each others’ personal boundaries. Ask for permission before touching someone, or dancing with them in close embrace. If someone tells you that you are making them feel uncomfortable, or they seem uncomfortable dancing with you, stop what you’re doing. If anyone is making you feel uncomfortable, you have the right to tell them, and to stop immediately.
People Saying No
If you ask someone to dance on a social dance floor, and they say “No thank you,” be okay with that; they don’t have to give a reason. Reply, “Hey, no worries – find me later if you change your mind!” and move on to ask someone else. A “no” (verbal or non-verbal) must be accepted gracefully, without pressure or judgement. No one is obliged to dance with you. You can ask anyone to dance, regardless of either person’s gender, age, or role. When someone asks you to dance, you can say no. If someone asks you to dance, and you don't want to, say “No thank you” and leave it at that. You don’t have to give a reason.
Personal Care
Swing dancing can get sweaty and involves close contact with other people – so think of others. Think about showering before the dance, using breath mints, and wearing deodorant. Consider bringing a towel and some spare shirts, and changing throughout the night. Bring a water bottle. Try not to wear anything (or adopt any hairstyle) that might hurt others on the dance floor or interfere with the communication between dancers, particularly if you spin while close to them.
Safety & Etiquette
Don’t force moves onto your partner that could be unsafe or unwanted. Get to know your partner and ask permission before you try anything risky. Don’t pull aerials or dips that take people off their balance on the social dance floor. Save those things for jam circles and performances, and check in before each time you try them out. Just because someone was okay with something once, doesn’t mean they always will be in the future. Dance with awareness of your surroundings to avoid injuries. Maintain appropriate physical contact suited to the setting, dance style, and mutual comfort. Reckless dancing or otherwise aggressive behavior will result in a warning, and may lead to temporary or permanent expulsion.
Unsolicited Feedback
Unless they specifically ask for feedback, don’t correct someone’s dancing on the social dance floor. The exception to this is if someone is dancing in a way which is hurting you or making you feel uncomfortable. In class, ask whether someone is interested in receiving feedback before offering it. Be considerate in the way you give feedback.
Reporting Issues
If you need help during an event at any time, please ask one of the Downbeat Board Members or email downbeatswing@gmail.com. You can speak to us privately about anything that has bothered you. We will listen to you non-judgmentally and take you seriously. We will keep everything you tell us confidential, unless you say otherwise or you tell us that someone is at risk of significant harm; by law, we may have to pass that information on.
No matter the severity of the issue, if you feel uncomfortable, we want to hear from you about it. In addition to taking actions against the perpetrators of harassment, organizers will support you in whichever course of action you choose in order to feel safe at our events, including providing escorts, facilitating conversations, or contacting law enforcement. We will protect your identity if you wish.
Creating a positive community is a shared responsibility. Speak up, support others, and help maintain a respectful dance culture. Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in warnings, removal from events, or suspensions from the community. All reports will be taken seriously and handled with discretion.
Alcohol, Substances, and Weapons
If you’re at one of our events where alcohol can be consumed, be sure your consumption stays safe and comfortable for both you and others. If your state gives us cause for concern, we may ask you to leave. If you provide alcohol to someone under 21 we will ask you to leave. If you are also unsafely under the influence of other substances, or carrying weapons, you will be asked to leave.
If we have reason to be concerned about your behavior, we will talk about it with you and may give you a warning. If your behavior continues after a warning, or if you harass or cause anyone to feel unsafe, you may be asked to leave. We might ban you from future events and, in discussion with the complainant, we may report you to the police. We don’t have to give you a second chance.
Consequences for Violations
If you engage in harassing or unsafe behavior, event organizers may (with or without warning): Log the incident in a written report for permanent reference; issue a warning; temporarily or permanently expel you from events (without a refund); notify nearby dance organizations or expulsions; contact law enforcement; or remove board members or staff by majority vote if necessary. Even if incidents occur outside of our events, we may act if your presence creates an unsafe or unwelcoming environment for others.