Code of Conduct

Overview

Bal Week is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable event experience for everyone. All attendees, instructors, staff, and volunteers are required to comply with the following code of conduct. Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody.

Options for Help

Email balweekny@gmail.com
Find a Bal Week staff member during the event via the front desk or DJ booth
- Our 2027 Safe Space team is Cami Asher and Sara-Sofia Rentas

Safe Space

Bal Week is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable event experience for everyone, regardless of gender expression, age, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity or religion (or lack thereof). We do not tolerate harassment or assault of event participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery in social situations is not appropriate at dances, workshops, competitions, and on social media platforms. Participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the Bal Week organizers.

Code of Conduct in Detail

No forms of harassment will be tolerated, and it is important to remember the effects of an act or comments is more important than the harasser’s original intent in the evaluation of an incident. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments (related to gender expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion, etc.), sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of classes and dances, inappropriate physical contact, repeated and unwanted requests to dance, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, Bal Week staff may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of staff immediately.

Bal Week staff will be happy to help participants contact local law enforcement, provide escorting from the building or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance and your safety. Our team commits to treating safe space concerns and reports with confidentiality and to prioritizing the safety and comfort of attendees whenever possible.

Attendees who have been in violation of Bal Week's code of conduct in the past, or who have violated similar policies at other dance events or communities in the past, may be notified prior to or during the event that they are not welcome at the event at the organizers’ discretion.

Being a Respectful Dance Event Attendee

Please do not offer unsolicited advice to fellow dancers either in class or on the social dance floor.

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, as well as the movement and position of the dancers surrounding them, in order to avoid all forms of dangerous contact.

We expect safe behavior from all attendees, instructors, staff, and volunteers. Unsafe behavior includes, but is not limited to, dancing while intoxicated, appearing intoxicated in a manner that interferes with other attendees’ comfort or enjoyment of the event, intentionally or unintentionally dancing in a way that is harmful or uncomfortable for your partner or surrounding dancers, creating disturbances, and/or interfering with the sleep or health of other attendees.

Please be respectful to Bal Week staff, even if you are experiencing a personal frustration. Without the goodwill of these individuals, a smoothly functioning event is impossible.

Finally, be aware of your own physical and emotional boundaries or needs.

Please address all questions or concerns to balweekny@gmail.com or reach out directly to the Safe Space team.