Thursday Night Blues

Consent

It is important to TNB that our classes and events embrace consent. When giving or receiving a dance request it is always okay to say no or to withdraw consent at any time. We encourage checking with partners before engaging in dips. Please consider the consent of other attendees when engaging in any behaviours that may cause discomfort to others.

Dancefloor Safety

Please use your full range of senses on the dance floor to avoid accidental collisions and injuries. It is every dancer's responsibility to be aware of their own and their partner's movement and position in relation to other dancers.

Respect

Mutual respect is not only encouraged, but necessary to learn from each other. Please do not offer unsolicited advice to other dancers at any time, and treat other dancers with respect.

Harrassment

The TNB team is dedicated to providing as safe a space as possible for all our attendees, and no forms of harassment will be tolerated. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments (related to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, OR religion), sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Behaviour outside TNB spaces

We may consider behaviour from outside TNB spaces if we believe it demonstrates that an attendee may pose a risk to other dancers. If this is the case we will follow the reporting process below.

Reporting Prccess

If you believe someone has broken the code of conduct or have any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of any attendees please speak to an organiser. If the complaint is about an organiser they will not be part of considering the complaint. Organisers will speak to everyone involved in the complaint before coming to a decision. We will be as open as possible throughout the process, but we will not share the identity of the complainant if they request anonymity.

Consequences

The consequences of violating the code of conduct will be in proportion to the harm posed to our dancers. An non-exhaustive list of possible consequences can be viewed in the consequences document. We will consider the wishes of the complainant when deciding what actions to take, but will always prioritise the safety of attendees.

Information about behaviour which may pose a danger to others may be shared with other organisers to ensure members of our wider community are also kept safe. Everyone will be held to the same standards of behaviour and misconduct will be addressed regardless of the status or identity of the perpetrator. We will prioritise marginalised people's safety over privileged people's comfort.

Potential consequences for breaching the TNB Code of Conduct are detailed further below.

The sections below each set out one of the potential consequences for breaching the TNB Code of Conduct, or of having engaged in harmful behaviours outside of TNB which may demonstrate that a person poses a risk to TNB attendees. This information is public because we aim to be fair and transparent with our community. We will endeavour to ensure all members involved in any breach are kept informed and are able to contribute to the process if they wish.

This is not an exhaustive list and has been created to help the TNB collective consider appropriate consequences. Consequences are not designed to be punitive and our goal is to ensure the safety and comfort of our community.

Verbal Warning

A conversation will be had with someone who may have breached the code of conduct to reiterate the expectations we have of attendees.

Written Warning

Someone who has breached the code of conduct may receive a written warning to reiterate the expectations we have of attendees.

Restricting Specific Behaviours

We may ask someone who has breached the code of conduct not to engage in specific behaviours within our spaces. For example, this could mean asking someone not to dance in close embrace.

Removal from Organising, Teaching or Volunteering Duties

Someone who has breached the code of conduct may be stopped from organising, teaching, or volunteering for TNB to prevent them from misusing a position of power.

Personal Accountability Team

Someone who has breached the code of conduct may be asked to gather a group of trusted people to vouch for them and take responsibility for checking in and monitoring their behaviour.

Ban

Someone who has breached the code of conduct may not be allowed to attend any events. This may be for a set period of time but could be permanent.

Notes on Returning After a Ban

In order for someone to return after a ban of any length the TNB organisers would like to be confident that the person both understood how they breached the code of conduct, and that they now do not pose a risk to other attendees. It will be the responsibility of the person who breached the code of conduct to demonstrate how they have changed and actions they have taken in order to ensure they do not pose a risk to others. There may be conditions attached to the return.