West Coast Wednesdays Code of Conduct

West Coast Wednesdays is committed to fostering a respectful, welcoming, and safe community where everyone can enjoy learning, dancing, and spending time together. This Code of Conduct is intended to help maintain that environment for all attendees.

Community Expectations

All attendees are expected to:

• Treat others with courtesy and respect.
• Be respectful on the dance floor. If you accidentally bump into or injure someone, apologize and take reasonable steps to prevent it from happening again.
• Respect personal boundaries. Just because someone does something with another person does not mean they want to do it with you. When in doubt, ask. If someone asks you to stop—verbally or nonverbally—stop immediately.
• Respect each person’s right to decline or end a dance. Anyone may decline a dance or end a dance at any time if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. No explanation is required.
• Be mindful of alcohol and other substances, as they can impair judgment and make it more difficult to recognize or respect personal boundaries.
• Help foster an inclusive environment. This community welcomes everyone regardless of race, age, dance level, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, appearance, religion, or any other protected or personal characteristic.

Prohibited Conduct

West Coast Wednesdays does not tolerate conduct that undermines the safety, respect, or enjoyment of the community. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Harassment;
• Threats or intimidation;
• Bullying or stalking;
• Unwanted physical contact;
• Rumor-spreading;
• Personal attacks; and
• Deliberate attempts to damage another person’s reputation or create conflict within the community.

Feeling uncomfortable with another person’s presence, personality, or dancing style, without more, does not constitute a violation of this Code of Conduct.

Reporting Concerns

Anyone who becomes aware of conduct that may violate this Code of Conduct or otherwise present a legitimate safety concern is encouraged to promptly report it to West Coast Wednesdays by speaking with a WCW organizer or by submitting an online incident report here.

Individuals submitting reports are encouraged to provide the information reasonably necessary to allow a fair review, including, where available:

• The names of the individuals involved;
• The date, time, and location of the incident;
• A description of the conduct at issue;
• The names of any witnesses; and
• Any photographs, videos, messages, or other relevant information.

Individuals submitting reports are also encouraged to cooperate in any resulting review by providing any additional information reasonably requested by WCW.

Attendees are encouraged to report concerns directly to WCW rather than publicly discussing allegations or encouraging the spread of unsubstantiated accusations within the community. WCW expects all participants to act responsibly and in good faith and to refrain from knowingly making, republishing, or encouraging the dissemination of false statements or unsubstantiated accusations that could unfairly harm another person’s reputation.

If you believe a crime has occurred, please report it to the appropriate law enforcement agency so it can be properly investigated. Criminal matters are investigated by law enforcement. WCW reviews and addresses concerns involving its Code of Conduct but does not investigate or determine whether criminal laws have been violated.

WCW will respond promptly, take concerns seriously, and make reasonable efforts to handle reports respectfully and as confidentially as the circumstances permit.

Enforcement

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to do so immediately. This Code of Conduct applies to attendees, instructors, judges, performers, volunteers, staff, and organizers.

Depending on the nature and severity of the conduct, WCW may issue a warning, require an attendee to leave an event without a refund, suspend attendance, permanently prohibit attendance, or take any other action deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

Together, we can continue to make West Coast Wednesdays a respectful, welcoming, and enjoyable community for everyone.