This document seeks not to define artistry, prescribe how it is created, value one kind of work over others, or stand as a legal document. It seeks rather to create awareness and systems that respect and protect the human in the art. We want to foster growth and artistic freedom in a
safe environment. We expect everyone (dancers, choreographers, teachers, board members, volunteers, etc.) tied to The Dance Cooperative to follow this Code of Conduct. If a dance is auditioning for a Dance Cooperative production, this Code of Conduct applies, even before the piece is accepted as part of the production.

• The Dance Cooperative cultivates an open, caring and safe environment through the expression of our values.
• Honesty and integrity are expected.
• Dancers must participate within The Dance Cooperative’s rules and respect all the teachers/staff/volunteers and their decisions.
• Dancers must respect their fellow dancers.
• By the nature of our work, safety is of utmost importance. Teaching, dancing, or rehearsing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be tolerated.
• We respect each other’s physical and emotional boundaries, and understand that other people’s boundaries may be different than our own. To this end, The Dance Cooperative does not tolerate harassment in any form. Harassment is generally defined as unwelcome verbal or non-verbal conduct, based upon a person’s protected characteristic, that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward the person because of the characteristic, and which affects the person’s employment opportunities or benefits, has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the person’s work performance, or has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Harassing conduct includes but is not limited to: epithets; slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating or hostile acts; or denigrating jokes and display or circulation in the workplace of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group based on their protected characteristic.
• Sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when:

1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s participation;
2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for casting decisions affecting such individual; or
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s participation or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Examples of sexual harassment include: unwelcome or unsolicited sexual advances; displaying sexually suggestive material; unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances or propositions; suggestive comments; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; sexually-oriented jokes; crude or vulgar language or gestures; graphic or verbal commentaries about an individual’s body; display or distribution of obscene materials; physical contact such as patting, pinching or brushing against someone’s body; or physical assault of a sexual nature.

• Dancers should maintain professionalism when greeting one another. While it is common that a cast will become friends, do not assume that a physical greeting such as a hug is permissible for everyone. In dance, it is common practice that there is physical contact between people. Best practice is to err on the side of caution and check with your fellow dancer on physical contact.
• Dancers must not distract, bully or harass other dancers.
• Dancers must refrain from cursing, using offensive racial or obscene speech, gestures or written materials.
• Dancers must refrain from physical, mental, emotional or cyber bullying other dancers, staff, or instructors. This includes social media postings referencing directly or indirectly to a student, staff, studio brand, and/or affiliations to the studio.
• Dancers, choreographers, teachers and volunteers are the face of The Dance Cooperative and should conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the organization.
• When representing The Dance Cooperative, dancers, choreographers and teachers must continue to follow The Dance Cooperative’s Code of Conduct as they are representatives of our organization.
  
• Concern Resolution Path:
  If there is a conflict between two people The Dance Cooperative recommends the following ways to resolve it.

1. The parties involved talk it out.
2. If this is unsuccessful or if either party is not comfortable, contact the Board President. If the Board President is involved in the situation or if he/she/they are unavailable, contact the Vice President.
3. The final step of conflict resolution is to bring it to the entire Dance Cooperative Board of Directors. (A list of the Board of Directors is posted at www.thedancecooperative.org)

Disciplinary action may be taken towards any person(s) not complying with this Code of Conduct. Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to:

• Exclusion from a specific event
• Suspension of varying degree
• Expulsion from any/all performances and classes with The Dance Cooperative

The Code of Conduct will be disseminated by choreographers at the beginning of a rehearsal cycle, to our classes, at auditions, Informal Showings, and technical rehearsals for any performances. Additionally, it will be sent electronically to those registered for classes and those
who are part of our email list for performances. It is also posted on our website www.thedancecooperative.org

The Code of Conduct will be reviewed and updated (as necessary) annually by the Board of Directors.

July 2023