Swing Ann Arbor (SAA) is committed to fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone. Cultivating this environment requires respecting others’ personal boundaries and identities, maintaining thoughtful connection with dance partners and observing careful floorcraft, as well as respecting the historical and cultural context of the dances and music featured at this event. Every person has the right to feel respected and safe, and we expect cooperation from everyone to help ensure a great experience for everybody!

All attendees, organizers, volunteers, and staff at this event are required to comply with the these expectations and policies. Event participants violating the SAA Code of Conduct may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the organizers. Repeated or severe infractions of these rules can and will result in you being escorted from the premises and/or permanently banned from SAA and/or other Swing Ann Arbor events.

On the Dance Floor

While many of our rules boil down to “be respectful of other people” and “keep other people safe,” there are specific things that you can DO to keep our spaces safe and inclusive:

• Take responsibility for your own behavior. If someone raises concerns about your behavior, please listen, examine your behavior, and work to make changes to your behavior that support our community goals.
• Take the time to educate yourself. Words and behaviors can be harmful. If you’re unsure about something, it’s wisest to avoid saying/or doing it in the meantime, and then educate yourself about it later.
• Be conscientious on the dance floor. Be aware of your connection with dance partners, and take care to think about floorcraft (a.k.a. Try not to run into or kick other dancers)! Avoid giving unsolicited advice to your fellow dancers, unless it is for your own safety if your partner is hurting you, or to avoid the chances of your partner hurting someone else (no one wants their arm yanked out of their socket, or to be kicked in the shin!).
• Ask which role(s) someone would like to dance. Rather than assuming whether someone dances follow or lead roles, let them tell you! When asking someone to dance, offer up which role(s) you would like to dance, and/or ask this person which role(s) they would like to dance.
• Respect when someone says “no.” If you ask someone to dance and they tell you no, be respectful of their decision. Everyone has the right to refuse a dance – for any reason, at any time, without further explanation necessary.
• Consider what kind of environment is likely to be positive and fun for everyone – and help us to create and maintain it!

And, there are a few things that SAA prohibits to cultivate an inclusive space:

• Aerials, air steps, lifts, floor spins, and other trick moves are not permitted at any time. (This includes dips in which your or your partner’s feet leave the floor.) Do not do them on the social dance floor, in jam circles or competitions, or in the lobby or parking lot. These moves may be permitted for special performances, but this must be cleared with event organizers prior to the performance.
• Comments or behaviors that make others feel unwelcome, tokenized, unsafe, or otherwise targeted are strictly prohibited. SAA is intended to be a space for everyone regardless of gender identity, age, ethnicity, race, religion, language, sexual orientation, disability, appearance, belief practices, etc.
• SAA does not tolerate harassment of any kind. This includes but is not limited to: offensive verbal comments, unwanted photography or recording, intimidation, stalking, unwelcome sexual attention, and inappropriate physical contact. These behaviors are not appropriate in any SAA-related venue, including dances, lessons, or social media.
• SAA is not a pick-up joint. As with all social organizations, our attendees may meet one another and strike up friendships and relationships of various kinds. However, SAA’s attendees are not just a large pool of people to hit on. If you engage in this behavior and make our patrons uncomfortable, you may be asked to leave. Predatory dating behaviors are not acceptable at SAA.

Communication with the Swing Ann Arbor Executive Board

• Assume best intentions: Each Swing Ann Arbor Executive Board member is an individual volunteering their time. Each organizer has outside obligations and responsibilities beyond Swing Ann Arbor. We organize for the love of dance and a commitment to keeping this historic artform alive. Because of this, we ask that community members grant us time and grace necessary to fulfill our duties. We are each human and always labor to do our best.
• Open Dialogue: Swing Ann Arbor explicitly welcomes insight and feedback from our community. All members are encouraged to communicate openly and respectfully with the Executive Board using the Official Channels of Communication. We believe that constructive dialogue leads to the betterment of our group. Feedback will be reviewed monthly at Executive Board meetings, so please be patient with responses (Safer Spaces issues will be addressed expeditiously).
• Official Channels of Communication: Members wishing to communicate requests or complaints with the Executive Board should use the official channels provided by the group (designated contact form, or scheduling a specific meeting time). This ensures that communications are received and addressed in a timely manner. Matters of immediate safety are not subject to this procedure and are welcomed & encouraged at all times.
• Respectful Disagreement: Members should express any disagreements with the Executive Board’s decisions or actions respectfully and constructively. Insulting, intimidating, demeaning, embarrassing or otherwise offensive behavior is not acceptable. Personal attacks, derogatory language, and disrespectful behavior are not acceptable. Both parties must make efforts to realize that they may have differing opinions and experiences, and agree to value and understand all sides of a situation to the best of their ability.
• Confidentiality and Sensitivity: Some discussions between members and the Executive Board may involve sensitive topics. Both parties agree to handle such discussions with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.

Anti-Bullying Policy

SAA is run entirely by community volunteers and is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for its board members, volunteers, and all individuals with whom we interact.

• Zero Tolerance Policy: Swing Ann Arbor has a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying of any kind. Bullying, including but not limited to verbal, physical, or cyber-bullying, is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal from Swing Ann Arbor events.
• Respect for All: Members must treat each other with respect, dignity, and kindness regardless of differences in opinion, skill level or background. Insulting, intimidating, demeaning, embarrassing or otherwise offensive behavior is not acceptable.
• Reporting Mechanism: Members are encouraged to report any instances of bullying to the Executive Board confidentially. Reports can be made through Official Channels, and the reporter’s identity will be protected.
• Investigation Process: Upon receiving a report of bullying, the Executive Board will promptly investigate the matter. This process will be conducted fairly and transparently, ensuring that all parties involved are heard.
• Consequences of Bullying: Members found to have engaged in bullying will face consequences, which may include, but are not limited to, a warning, suspension, or expulsion from the group. The severity of the consequences will match the severity of the bullying behavior.
• Support for Victims: The group is committed to supporting victims of bullying. This includes providing resources for support and ensuring they feel safe and valued within our community.

Concerned about something?

• Reach out to any member of the SAA board or email us at swingannarbor@gmail.com
• Submit an anonymous incident report.