PATMAD Community Standards

Dancing is a joyful and inclusive activity. To ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone, we have established a set of Community Standards that apply to all participants in PATMAD-sponsored events, on and off the dance floor.

Questions or concerns? Members of our Safety Committee are available at all events. Or report something online (can be anonymous). You can meet with a member of the Safety Committee, or submit a report via patmad.org/safety.


Our Standards

Safety, Inclusion, Respect, and Communication are the foundation of our organization. By upholding these standards as we interact with one another, we create a healthy and vibrant community.

Safety

Safety means demonstrating attention and care for fellow dancers' rights and boundaries and their abilities and comfort. Check in if you notice someone who you think might be being made uncomfortable.

 

Inclusion

Inclusion means welcoming and valuing all dancers regardless of age, ability, and identity. We foster a sense of belonging and community, and we dance with everyone in the hall.

Respect

Respect means interacting graciously and extending kindness and dignity to all. Anyone may decline an offer to dance without explanation or excuse.

 

Communication

Communication means checking in with fellow dancers to learn their preferences and openly relaying our own preferences in return. For example:

  • Do you like twirls?
  • May I offer a dancing tip?
  • I don't like how fast we're swinging; please slow down.
  • My shoulder is sore, so no flourishes today.

Upholding Our Standards

If someone does something that makes you or another person uncomfortable and you do not feel confident speaking to them directly, let a manager know. They will involve our Safety Committee, which exists to ensure our events are safe and inclusive.

Our Process

When we learn of an incident – from our online form, a first-hand report from a dancer, or an observation by other attendees or event organizers – we promptly follow this process:

Understand what happened.
Two or more Safety Representatives will work with you to understand what you experienced or observed. We treat all reports as confidential by default.

Take appropriate actions.
We base our actions on what will best support the strength and safety of our community, while honoring your wishes regarding anonymity and involvement. There are many possible next steps, such as:

Keep a record.
After our discussions, we make a confidential written record of your report, actions we took, and the results of these actions. This record, which we will share with you, informs future Safety Committee actions.