Victoria WCS Collective Code of Conduct

Updated July 2025

The Victoria West Coast Swing Collective (VWCSC) is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone who wants to participate in West Coast Swing.  This is accomplished by creating and maintaining a dance community built on trust, open communication, accountability, and integrity at all our dance or dance related events. This Code of Conduct was developed to ensure an environment where all members and persons who attend VWCSC events feel comfortable, accepted, and supported, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, ability, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or other personal circumstance.

The VWCSC Code of Conduct is founded on the values and principles described below:

  • Respect and compassion. Everyone deserves to be acknowledged and treated with dignity and kindness. We accept others for who they are and we are responsive to others’ needs, desires, opinions, and preferences.

  • Diversity and inclusion. We welcome anyone and everyone who is interested in trying our dance or joining our community. We celebrate diversity and we appreciate the value of bringing different people together for a shared purpose.

  • Safety and comfort. We seek to ensure that everyone feels secure and at ease in our community. We work to create a supportive and nurturing environment and to prevent physical, emotional, or psychological injury and abuse of any kind.

  • Community and collaboration. We value relationships and connecting with others, a sense of fellowship and camaraderie, and supporting one another to achieve our goals. We believe that each of us has a part to play in creating, shaping, and sustaining our community.

The code applies to all VWCSC Board members, volunteers, dancers, instructors, and event attendees. Each of us is responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with this Code. By attending our events, you agree to adhere to the behaviour expectations outlined below and conduct yourself in a way that nurtures the welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment the VWCSC strives to create. 

Zero Tolerance for Unacceptable Behaviour

  • VWCSC does not tolerate harassment or abuse of any kind.

  • Do not use sexual language or sexual touch. These are not appropriate at our events, in classes, or during social dancing

  • In addition to the consequences described below, VWCSC reserves the right to remove or ban anyone from VWSC events who does not abide by this Code of Conduct.

Dance Respectfully

  • Everyone has the right to choose who to dance with, what songs to dance to, and what role they will dance.

  • It is appropriate to ask someone if they would like to dance, providing them with the option of accepting or declining.

  • People usually happily accept an invitation to dance, but it is also acceptable to politely decline an invitation.

    • Say ‘no’ politely, with a smile

  • If someone declines your invitation to dance, please respect their decision and find someone else to dance with instead.

    • If you are told ‘no’, be gracious. You can ask them to dance later if you wish

    • If someone refuses several invitations to dance, stop asking them.

  • Assume that everyone is doing the best they can. Everyone is at a different place on their dance journey

  • Be mindful of others and respect personal boundaries

    • Personal boundaries are individual - respect them

  • Be a good partner, generous and kind. Thank your partner after a dance.

  • Never offer coaching, unsolicited advice, instruction, criticism, or any comments about physical appearance.

    • Let beginners be beginners - unsolicited tips and feedback can chip away at a person’s confidence and do more harm than good

Dance Safely

  • Be mindful of other dancers around you to avoid accidental collisions and potential injuries, especially when the dance floor is crowded.

  • If you do bump into or collide with another dancer(s), apologize and check to see if anyone is hurt.

  • Offer immediate assistance to those who fall or are injured, and check if they are okay.

  • If someone needs medical attention, notify a member of the VWCSC staff immediately.

  • Attempting movements that increase the risk of hurting your partner (or other dancers) makes for unsafe dancing. Be careful!

  • Avoid forceful movements that can cause an injury by yanking, jerking, pushing or pulling your partner.

  • Avoid lifts, drops, or other dramatic weight-supported moves unless you’re dancing with your dance partner and have practiced these moves. Not all dancers would be prepared for or able to perform these moves, so do not surprise them on the dance floor.

  • If you have an injury that may limit your movements, inform your partner before you begin dancing.

  • If unsure, it is okay to ask someone if they are comfortable with a move or a situation.

  • It is okay to let someone know that you are uncomfortable with a move or any  comments about your dancing, or abilities

  • Attending events in an intoxicated state is not permitted as it puts fellow dancers at risk. Bringing alcohol to VWCSC events and consuming alcohol while at VWCSC events is strictly prohibited.

Be a Good Social Dancer

  • Be clean and scent-free

  • Making an effort to have fresh hygiene and breath shows respect for your dance partner’s comfort (bring gum and deodorant). This includes alcohol or other breath odours that can be uncomfortable for others.

  • Please refrain from using scented products such as perfume or cologne, they can trigger allergic reactions

  • We encourage the use of gum or mints and unscented deodorants

  • Keep yourself and others healthy

    • Stay home if you are sick, have symptoms, or if you have recently been exposed to a known virus or are testing positive for COVID-19

    • Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizer and avoid touching your face

What to do if you witness or are subjected to behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe

  • If you are comfortable, attempt to discuss your concerns with the other person at the time it happens to ensure clarity and to develop your own sense of agency in the dance

  • If you are not comfortable having this type of conversation - you have every right to politely decline dancing with that person.

  • If you inform them of your concerns and the issue is not resolved, you have every right to politely decline dancing with them.

  • If you have politely declined and they are still asking you to dance, please inform a member of the VWCSC or dance staff. 

  • If at any time you feel unsafe, need assistance or guidance,  please inform a member of the VWCSC or dance staff. 

  • If at any time you feel another dancer is in an unsafe situation or needs assistance, please inform a member of the VWCSC or dance staff. 

Consequences

  • Any concerns reported to the VWCSC will be fully investigated and prompt appropriate action will be taken.

  • Anyone asked to stop unacceptable, uncomfortable or unsafe behavior is expected to do so immediately. 

  • Depending on the severity, actions taken by the VWCSC in response to reported concerns may include:

    • talking to the person(s) involved and asking them to do or not do something

    • asking the person(s) involved to leave the venue immediately without warning, compensation or refund

    • banning the person(s) involved from attending VWCSC dances and events 

  • Conversations or actions may take place in private if that is appropriate to the situation. 

This Code of Conduct is meant to ensure that the culture of our dance community is welcoming, inclusive and safe. We are grateful for your help and commitment to making VWCSC dance events welcoming, inclusive and safe for everyone.