Bash on Vashon/Northwest New Year’s Camp Community Expectations:
What behavior do we expect from each other? These expectations apply to everyone at camp, including all campers and board members.
-We follow Bash on Vashon rules as well as Camp Sealth rules.
-We behave and communicate with respect. This means respecting others’ boundaries, preferences, and identities.
-We dance in a safe and careful manner to avoid injuring others. This includes using open hand holds, supporting our own weight, responding when someone indicates they are in pain, and generally being responsible for our own bodies on the dance floor.
-We don’t make anyone feel unwelcome at our dance for their dance ability level, age, race, physical body, gender presentation, or any other reason.
-We avoid discrimination and harassment of all forms. Threats or demands are not welcome. Neither are verbal, sexual, and physical harassment.
-We ask and receive consent on the dance floor for actions beyond the instructed choreography.
-When in doubt, we ask for consent for interactions with fellow campers.
-We arrive at camp sober and refrain from using drugs, alcohol, or weapons on site.
In the event of a discomfort or safety concern, what communication options can campers expect?
During camp:
-write a comment or question in the camp notebook.
-speak to a board member.
-Ideally, speak to two board members.
-discuss expectations of confidentiality.
Before or after camp:
-write in the end-of-camp evaluation form.
-email, call, or speak in person with a board member.
What can leadership do if someone reports feeling uncomfortable or unsafe?
-There is no one-size-fits-all solution to every problem, but in general the board will work both to support the individuals reporting the problem and to protect the entire community.
-Board members want to hear campers’ concerns. They will treat reports as confidential but generally will discuss amongst the board unless the reporter requests strict confidentiality.
-If a camper is concerned about something that happened outside of NWNYC, the board would still like to hear those concerns to inform decision making where appropriate. However, they may have less ability to enact changes.
-If given permission following a report, board members can talk with the person who has acted outside of our community expectations. Board members can offer feedback and explore ways of being in community that stay within our community expectations.
-Some types of behavior that risk the safety of others are unacceptable to such a degree that they require immediate expulsion from the event and/or banning from future events. The board reserves the right to enact an immediate expulsion and/or banning from future events in these cases.
-In instances involving sleeping arrangements, the board can work to rearrange housing assignments to provide more space.
-If a concern is raised about a board member’s behavior, that board member may be asked to forfeit their positions of power, including volunteer positions, (even if their offense does not warrant other action).
Sources:
https://corvallisfolklore.org/home/dance-safety-policy/
https://www.bidadance.org/safety/
https://www.queercontradance.org/SFBQCD_Values_and_Expectations.pdf
https://supersoniccontra.dance/about
http://www.friendsofgreenfielddance.org/resources/safe-dancing-etiquette/
https://youthdanceweekend.org/policies/
https://www.puttinonthedance.org/potd3archive/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GQnkj0Rr_h7D6brKGbg0R7LNdOh7B0bnF70APEI159g/edit?tab=t.0