ROB AND SHEILA DANCE CODE OF CONDUCT
Rob and Sheila Dance is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all
attendees. Please review and abide by this Code of Conduct during any Rob and Sheila
event at any location that you attend.
This Code of Conduct describes:
• How we can share the responsibility to make the event fun while maintaining a
safe environment for all in attendance.
• Acceptable and unacceptable behaviors .
• Options available unacceptable or unsafe behavior.
We reserve the right to manage any violations of this Code of Conduct as we deem
necessary, which may include refusal of admission or ejection from the event without a
refund.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i. BE RESPECTFUL.
ii. BE CONSIDERATE.
iii. BE A GOOD CITIZEN.
iv. NO HARASSMENT OF ANY KIND.
v. TAKE ACTION.
BE RESPECTFUL.
COMFORT AND SAFETY
Rob and Sheila Dance asks that you treat each other with kindness and respect at all times.
We prioritize a commitment for all in attendance to feel safe and comfortable, regardless of
age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical appearance, ability, ethnicity,
religion, nationality, or any other personal circumstance. We ask that you be polite to our
dance professionals, event staff, volunteers, and venue personnel.
COURTESY AND GUIDELINES FOR DANCING
All dancers are entitled to:
• Respectfully decline an invitation to dance
• Dance in your preferred role (lead, follow, or switch roles during a dance if your
partner agrees)
• Change partners for the next dance, dance again with the same partner if your
partner agrees, or opt to take a break.
NO TEACHING ON THE SOCIAL DANCE FLOOR
• Classes are for learning, social dances are for fun.
• DO NOT give unsolicited advice to your partner on their technique while in class or
when social dancing.
• EXCEPTION: It is always acceptable to say “ouch” or let a partner know when something
is uncomfortable or hurts. It is important to communicate to your partner when a
move/action hurts and let it be known if you have injuries or special considerations
and/or you don’t want certain move to be executed. If something is uncomfortable
please let your partner know. Example: If your partner hurts your hand by holding too
tightly, please adjust their grip and let them know it hurts.
Ask, and respond, respectfully. You have the right to decline an invitation to dance, or to
stop dancing with someone who mistreats you or ignores your wishes. If someone makes
you feel uncomfortable, touches you inappropriately, or hurts you, it is okay to say “no” or
“stop.” If someone says “no” or “stop” to you, honor their request.
Never pressure anyone to act against their own feelings. If someone turns down your
invitation to dance, move on. If someone refuses several invitations to dance, stop asking
and move on.
DO NOT offer unsolicited advice, teaching, criticism, or comments about physical
appearance.
BE CONSIDERATE.
BOUNDARIES
Be considerate of other people’s boundaries. Trying out new patterns and moves, or
engaging in conversation can be fun. However, not everyone may want or be able to. This
applies to everything from close dance holds to moves such as dips, flirty conversations or
even just agreeing to dance. In some cases, your partner may have or be at risk for injuries
that you are not aware of.
If you are not sure of someone’s boundaries, or cannot tell from their nonverbal cues, ask
them. If you misjudge, and they ask you to stop (either verbally or nonverbally, such as
with a facial expression or a body language cue), then stop.
Remember alcohol and other substances can make it harder to judge boundaries
accurately; please be mindful of your limits so that you can be mindful of others.
FLOOR CRAFT AND SAFETY
Be mindful of other dancers around you to avoid accidental collisions and potential
injuries, especially when the dance floor becomes crowded. If anyone near you falls or is
injured, please offer immediate assistance and check to see if they are okay. If you see that
someone needs medical attention, contact a member of our staff immediately. In an
emergency, call 911.
BE A GOOD CITIZEN.
WELCOMING FOR BEGINNERS AND CHILDREN
Dancers of all ages and levels of ability will be at our events. You can help grow our dance
community by welcoming beginners and demonstrating to parents that dancing is a safe
activity for their children.
NO SOLICITATION
Do not solicit our attendees for any reason, or sell any goods or services if you have not
received approval in advance to do so from event staff.
NO SMOKING
Per state law, no smoking is allowed in any of the indoor public areas of any of our event
venues. This includes e-cigarettes. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor smoking
areas when applicable.
NO THEFT OR PROPERTY DAMAGES
Do not damage or steal other people’s property. Those who cause property damage will be
personally liable.
NO DRUGS OR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
Drugs and illegal behavior are strictly prohibited. Do not share alcohol with anyone underage.
We will report offenders if necessary. We will ask anyone who appears to be intoxicated
in any way and might be a danger to others, or who engages in disorderly or destructive
behavior to remove themselves from the premises. We will take necessary actions if called
for.
ZERO TOLERANCE HARASSMENT POLICY.
OUR STANCE
We do not tolerate harassment or threats of any kind. Any situation which makes another
person feel unsafe or uncomfortable to the point of being unable to enjoy the event is
unacceptable. If you harass someone at our event, you will be asked to leave.
HARASSMENT DEFINED
Harassment can take many forms. At Rob and Sheila Dance events, the why or the how does
not matter—harassment is not acceptable. Actions such as offensive comments, hostile or
inappropriate in-person or online communications, sexual propositions, unwelcome
photography or videography, displays of sexual imagery, unwanted physical contact,
physical or verbal intimidation, stalking, verbal abuse, disruption of workshops or
competitions, or other forms of harassment will not be tolerated. Known violators will not
be welcome at our event.
BYSTANDER EFFECT
Please watch out for each other and help us to take care of you. If you are not sure if
someone else is okay, please take a closer look: ask them for a dance to draw them away
from the situation, or ask, in a friendly way, if they need help.
SAFETY VIOLATION INCIDENT REPORTING
Report any violations to our Safety Point of Contact (SPOC) Rob Baen or Sheila Purkey or
any other appointed individual to address issues of attendee safety. If you are subjected to
harassing behavior, or notice that someone else is being subjected to unsafe or
unacceptable behavior, or have other concerns related to conduct or safety violations, the
representative is available to support you at the event.
If you witness or are subjected to unacceptable or harassing behavior, you can make an inperson report. As a reporter, you may also use this as an opportunity to suggest or request
specific actions be taken by the event.
The SPOC will be an advocate for the needs of the incident reporter.
You may contact the SPOC via text, phone call, or at the event, or go to the the DJ booth. You
can directly text or call the SPOC using the contact information listed below. We promise to
listen and to treat you with respect and confidentiality.
NOTE: Our Event Staff are not trained mental health or crisis workers. In case of
emergency, or situation requiring de-escalation, please dial 9-1-1 (emergency services), or
9-8-8 (suicide & crisis hotline).
If, for any reason, you are not comfortable with any appointed Safety Point of Contact
having knowledge of your report or acting as your advocate, you may contact Rob Baen or
Sheila Purkey, the event directors, directly. Contact information can be found at the bottom
or this page.
CONSEQUENCES OF UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
Anyone asked to stop unacceptable or harassing behavior is expected to do so immediately.
Actions that compromise the safe and respectful environment of this event are not
acceptable from any member of our community: attendees, teachers, judges, performers,
volunteers or staff. Depending on the severity of the violation, intervention by the Rob and
Sheila Dance in response to an incident, may range from:
• talking to the offending person and asking them to do or not do something
• asking them to leave the venue immediately without warning, compensation or
refund
• preventing the offending person’s from attending any Rob and Sheila Dance
event in the future
Conversations or actions may take place in private if that seems appropriate to the
situation. If you see additional problems after you or someone else spoke with us initially,
we request to be informed. We want this to be a place that everyone can enjoy. We are
grateful for your help and commitment to making our shared environment safe for
everyone.
TAKE ACTION.
Have questions? Need help? What should you do if you witness or are subjected to
unacceptable or harassing behavior?
Call or text the SPOC , or go to the DJ booth and ask to speak to the SPOC or an event
director.
Thank you for helping us keep all our event safe.
Safety Point of Contact Information
Rob Baen (he/him) – Event Director. Cell: 609-519-0793
Sheila Purkey (she/her) – Event Director. Cell: 609-519-0078
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION SALES
If you feel unwell right before an event and have preregistered, please contact us at 609-
519-0793 or email us at robandsheilance@yahoo.com and we will refund your
preregistration. In all other cases, all sales are final.
Transfers will not be accepted.
Right To Refuse
Rob and Sheila Dance is a privately-owned company that reserves the right to establish and
enforce policies that promote a safe environment for everyone. In order to maintain a high
standard of service, we reserve the right to refuse attendance to any of our events to
anyone for any reason that does not discriminate against any protected class. Attendance
may be denied or discontinued to anyone who demonstrates harassment of any form.
Social Media
Rob and Sheila Dance may have video and photography at our events. By attending the
event, you agree to allow us to use photos and/or videos from the event as promotional
material on our website, social media, and print. If you have any questions or concerns,
please reach out to the Event Directors.
Thank you for helping us keep all our events safe.
Rob Baen, Co-Event Director
Sheila Purkey, Co-Event Director
We would like to acknowledge and credit the following for providing concepts on which we
have based this Code of Conduct:
Kay Newhouse and Dave Moldover/ Dance Jam Productions
Riley Crozier / Do Your Own Swing/Philly Swing Classic/UCSwing/309 Westies