Embedded Files
Our Code of Conduct is and should be an evolving document. As our community learns more, we hope that this Code of Conduct will be altered to meet this community’s growing skills and needs. If you feel there is some way to improve upon this document, please let one of the Safer Spaces Staff members know, and we’ll see how we can incorporate your ideas in our policy and practice.
Our goal at Morgantown Swing is to create an inclusive and welcoming event where all people can enjoy social dancing and swing music in a safe and comfortable environment. We welcome dancers of all experience levels, and all people regardless of race, religion, nationality, physical ability, mental ability, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or age. We expect all attendees to treat everyone with respect regardless of the factors mentioned above.
Swing dance is a social dance and our mission is to dance with different people. That said:
Consent - We see consent as the great equalizer. When consent is the foundation for relationships, we believe people become empowered, respected, and encouraged to be their true selves. We believe having the ability to say “no” makes every “yes” more meaningful.
Right to Refusal - Everyone has the right to decline or leave a dance, with or without explanation. Please do not take it personally if someone says no to a dance with you, if they dance with someone else during that song, or if they leave a dance mid-song. Keep in mind that there are many possible reasons for someone to not dance with you, and respect that nobody owes anybody else a dance. If you find yourself not being asked to dance, it’s okay to ask others to dance. If you find yourself unable to find a dance, you can seek assistance from a Safer Spaces Staff member who can then open a dialogue with you about your experience. Sometimes we do things that we aren’t aware of, and being able to talk with others can help us identify them.
Romantic Advances - Do not interpret dance connection as attraction. It is not appropriate to ask your partner out while dancing.
Forced Connections - Partner dancing is a physical activity. This does not mean you may force your body against your partner. Please be considerate of the needs of your partner in terms of closeness, energy level, and connection type. If you notice non-verbal signals like body stiffening, hesitation, etc., and/or are unsure about what connection is appropriate for your partner, ask. Dances are a conversation — listen to each other!
Unsolicited Feedback - Speak up if you are uncomfortable, in pain, or at risk of being hurt. Do NOT critique, criticize, or teach on the dance floor unless specifically asked.
Public Displays of Affection - Please refrain from overtly sexualized activities on the dance floor (e.g., grinding, making out, roaming hands). Dancing can be close; this does not mean it is sexual.
Aerials and Dips - Aerials are not allowed on our social dance floors. Please do NOT do weight-bearing moves, such as deep dips, without verbal consent.
Safer Spaces Violations
Safer Spaces Violations
Everyone attending a Morgantown Swing events is expected to respect the boundaries of others on and off the dance floor. If you are hurt or made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any way by a fellow attendee and would like support, please bring this to the attention of any Morgantown Swing Instructor who can bring it to a Safer Spaces Staff member (listed at the end of the document).
If someone tells you that something you are doing is hurting anyone, or making anyone feel unsafe or uncomfortable, immediately stop the behavior. We understand that it can be challenging not to take this feedback personally, and we hope that you can see it as a learning opportunity. We expect that you do not come to our space with the intent to hurt others, so we also expect that you would welcome to hear feedback from someone who is telling you otherwise. We encourage you to adopt a growth mindset with giving and receiving feedback - it’s an opportunity for you to improve your communication and behavior overall.
Even if you are not directly involved — if you notice someone is hurting a fellow attendee or causing them to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, we encourage you to bring this to the attention of a Morgantown Swing instructor, Safer Spaces Staff, and/or check in with the person you think who may have been mistreated.
Anyone who does or says something inappropriate, disrespectful, overtly sexual, illegal, dangerous, or otherwise violates any of the policies set forth here will face consequences up to and including immediate removal from the event, banning from future events, and legal action.
We reserve the right to ban individuals from attending any Morgantown Swing event.
For a non-exhaustive list, if anyone is:
A convicted sexual offender
Currently being tried for a sexual offense
Has a Protection from Abuse (PFA) against them
Has a restraining order against them
This person may be refused entrance and/or removed from all Morgantown Swing events. Please notify a Morgantown Swing Instructor or Safer Spaces Staff member if you know of any such individual who may plan to attend any Morgantown Swing event.
Any person who has previously been reported for inappropriate and/or criminal behavior by a member of the social dance community may be banned and/or removed from our event. Please make concerns known to a Morgantown Swing Instructor or Safer Spaces Staff member before, during, or after the event.
Safer Spaces Procedures
Safer Spaces Procedures
When an issue is brought to a member of the Safer Spaces Staff, you can expect:
An initial conversation away from other attendees
Confidentiality within the Safer Spaces Staff (unless we feel someone is in immediate danger)
You will be asked how you would like the situation to be handled
The staff member will share the situation with additional Safer Spaces Staff members
The Safer Spaces Staff will then determine next steps in consultation with you
Some next steps may include the reported person being:
Monitored, but not approached, to keep an eye on them for further issues
Spoken to directly about their behavior and asked to stop.
Included in a facilitated dialogue with the person who provided the report, mediated by two or more Safer Spaces Staff members
Removed from the event, and/or banned from future events
Reported to venue security and/or police
If the resolution of any of these issues is not satisfactory, then you may be entitled to a refund (if applicable) at the discretion of the Safer Spaces Staff.
Safer Spaces Staff Members
Safer Spaces Staff Members
Ashley Jenkins
Amy Loomis
Ryan Backos
David Loomis
Please reach out to us at:
Please reach out to us at:
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