VSS events are open to everyone regardless of gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, disability, age, size, physical appearance, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of any kind.

Guests asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Guests violating the following rules may be sanctioned or expelled from Vancouver Swing Society events without a refund at the discretion of management.

• Do not engage in harassment of any form. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, body size, race, or religion, as well as misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, sizeist, ageist, or racist language. Harassment also includes deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

• Apologize for accidental unwanted physical contact. Accidental contact includes dance floor collisions, kicks, and stepping on feet, as well as accidentally touching another person’s private parts.

• Accept when someone says ‘no’ to a dance. Every dancer has a right to ask anyone else to dance, and also the right to decline any dance.

• Do not offer unsolicited advice to your fellow dancers. There is a time and a place for giving advice, and that time is not on the social dance floor. Even in classes, be sure to ask first before providing feedback.

• Be considerate and respectful to the Vancouver Swing Society staff and volunteers. Follow the directions of the staff and volunteers, as well as those from venue staff. If you believe a VSS volunteer or board member is violating these rules, please bring this matter to the attention of another board member. We promise to address all allegations, including those brought forth against our members.

• Respect the venue and VSS property. Misuse of anything the VSS owns/rents/leases will not be tolerated.

• No soliciting without approvals. In general, we allow flyers for other swing dance events to be displayed at VSS; however, you must get approval from the board first. We generally do not allow flyers or announcements for events focused on other dance styles, or not related to dancing at all, although some exceptions will be granted.

• Report any misconduct to a VSS board member (pictured above) or volunteer. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of event staff immediately. Depending on the situation, you may be asked to file an incident report, which will aid the VSS in taking any necessary action with the offender and to prevent any future misconduct. Event staff will be happy to help participants contact the Safe Space Liaison, the VSS board, or local law enforcement; provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event.