Purpose and Values
Second Studio acknowledges that the land on which we gather is the traditional unceded territory of the Anishnaabeg People. We strive to be mindful of our relationship to this land and to First Nations people, and to contribute to efforts of reconciliation and decolonization. Second Studio is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and welcoming group-learning and social-dance experience. All attendees, instructors, staff, volunteers, and guests of our events and classes are required to comply with this code of conduct. The organizers will enforce the code during an event, and we ask for cooperation from all participants.
We value diversity and we are inclusive. We welcome all levels of ability, ages, gender identifications, sexual orientations, body sizes, races, religions, and cultural backgrounds to participate. We invite all participants to welcome and dance with everyone! Please dance with people who are not like you, encourage new dancers, and help to model a friendly and inspiring vibe.
Declaration of Safe Space
Second Studio is committed to provide a safe and comfortable event experience for everyone. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. This includes:
If You Need Help
Code of Conduct Details
Please read, understand, and adhere to these details about our Code of Conduct.
Be Respectful
Context used with permission by Smoothstyle, our wonderful local west coast swing school in Ottawa, whose code of conduct was inspired by Swingin’ At The Savoy, a global community of WCS Organizers. Thank you!
Second Studio acknowledges that the land on which we gather is the traditional unceded territory of the Anishnaabeg People. We strive to be mindful of our relationship to this land and to First Nations people, and to contribute to efforts of reconciliation and decolonization. Second Studio is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and welcoming group-learning and social-dance experience. All attendees, instructors, staff, volunteers, and guests of our events and classes are required to comply with this code of conduct. The organizers will enforce the code during an event, and we ask for cooperation from all participants.
We value diversity and we are inclusive. We welcome all levels of ability, ages, gender identifications, sexual orientations, body sizes, races, religions, and cultural backgrounds to participate. We invite all participants to welcome and dance with everyone! Please dance with people who are not like you, encourage new dancers, and help to model a friendly and inspiring vibe.
Declaration of Safe Space
Second Studio is committed to provide a safe and comfortable event experience for everyone. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. This includes:
- Sexual language and sexual touch. These are not appropriate at our event, in classes, during social dancing, or on our social media.
- Violation of personal boundaries. You must respect the personal boundaries of others. If a participant tells you that they do not want to dance with you; asks you to avoid particular types of movements, patterns, or physical contact; or asks you not to pursue a personal relationship with them, you must respect that request.
- Please review the Zero Tolerance Policy for sexual harassment/misconduct here.
If You Need Help
- Find an organizer in person (during the event), the DJ, or an instructor.
- Email info@secondstudio.ca
- Whichever way you choose to communicate, the organizers will listen to you and work with you to determine the best course of action for the safety and well-being of yourself and all other participants. You can read the Zero Tolerance Policy, for detailed complaint procedures and options.
Code of Conduct Details
Please read, understand, and adhere to these details about our Code of Conduct.
Be Respectful
- Assume that everyone is doing the best they can to dance well, to teach well, and to be a good host.
- Learning is a process; respect that everyone is in a different place on that journey.
- Social situations are complex; understand that not everyone may know how to deal with every situation that arises.
- To ask for a dance: smile, greet the person, and ask if they’d like to dance. If you don’t know each other yet, introduce yourself first.
- Smile and make occasional eye contact with your partner while dancing, but don’t stare, as that can be uncomfortable.
- To decline a dance, smile and say, “no thank you.”
- Wear freshly laundered clothing. Brush your teeth before dancing.
- If you sweat a lot, bring extra shirts, a towel, and deodorant.
- Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and scented products. These items cause allergic reactions in many people.
- Do not give any unsolicited feedback or advice to other dancers unless you are specifically asked for feedback.
- If something physically hurts, tell your partner so they know to not do it again.
- If you think something is going wrong, ask an instructor or assistant for their help.
- Personal boundaries are unique to individuals – be mindful of these and respect them.
- Be aware of both verbal and non-verbal cues. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask if someone is comfortable with a move or situation.
- In turn, it is always okay to say no or let someone know if you are uncomfortable with a move, comment, or situation.
- We encouraged you to dance with many different people, but everyone has the right to say “no” to a dance.
- Say “no” politely, with a smile; no explanation is required.
- If the answer is “no”, be gracious – don’t try to convince the person to say “yes” and don’t ask for a reason if it is not offered.
- Focus on the people who say “yes” to you instead.
- Be aware of others around you.
- Be aware of the space that is available to safely dance.
- When the floor is crowded, keep your dance space small by shortening the length of your arm connection and avoiding traveling patterns and leg sweeps.
- Permission to touch a dance partner begins and ends with the dance you accepted.
- Acceptable touch in partner dance is generally limited to these connection points: hands, arms, shoulders, back, hips, knees. With partners you know well, more connection points may be acceptable.
- Unless you are dancing with a regular and trusted partner, do not lead or follow movements that require either partner to support the other’s weight.
- Avoid tricks, both for reasons of safety and floor craft.
- Avoid wearing clothing and accessories that may cause injury to yourself or others while dancing. For example: pointy shoes; spike heels; clothing with holes; loose/dangling jewelry and belts; large rings; sharp or roughly textured watches, wristbands, and bracelets; and so on.
- Social dancing can be unpredictable. When the unexpected happens, apologize immediately. Unexpected actions to apologize for include: unintended touch, injury (minor or major), unintended words, accidentally running into other dancers on the floor, etc.
- Verbal and physical harassment is unacceptable. Examples of unacceptable actions include but are not limited to: offensive language, intimidation, unwanted physical contact, derogatory comments regarding an individual’s characteristics, and bullying.
- Once again, we have a Zero Tolerance Policy for harassment, which we expect all participants to review and comply.
Context used with permission by Smoothstyle, our wonderful local west coast swing school in Ottawa, whose code of conduct was inspired by Swingin’ At The Savoy, a global community of WCS Organizers. Thank you!