Now that you’re no longer a “stranger”, there are expectations that we will all keep each other safe and hold ourselves accountable. We have safety guidelines and policies in place for our event that ensure our participants have the safest and most enjoyable experience possible.
Code of Conduct
All attendees have agreed to our Code of Conduct and Liability Waiver as part of their ticket purchase.
The Code of Conduct outlines our expectations of participant behaviour at all Flame Ontario Arts Collective events. This includes any online forums moderated by the collective and between any SideBurn volunteers and attendees participating in pre- and post-event planning.
Participation in Flame Ontario Arts Collective events and its online forums are open to all; however, continued attendance and involvement may be limited or revoked if you fail to respect others or behave in a way that endangers yourself, the event, or the wider community.
Consent
As you’ve read in our Code of Conduct already, consent is a non-negotiable at SideBurn! “No” means no, and only a clear and enthusiastic “yes” means yes. This applies to all interactions—always ask about and respect each person’s boundaries.
Understanding Consent
As a community and as individuals, our understanding of what constitutes consent is going to evolve. The language and words we use might differ based on our own education, understanding, and life experiences. Open, honest and clear communication about wants, needs, and boundaries will help to ensure that all parties are enthusiastic participants or witnesses to adventures and escapades at the event.
- Consent is mandatory—full stop.
- Accept ‘no’ with grace—or go home.
- Unwanted attention and touch is not okay. This includes comments on bodies, physical touch, sexual harassment, sexual remarks, and objectification.
- Consent must be continuous, and can be revoked at any time for any reason. Check in often, especially when actions and risk escalate.
- You must obtain consent before capturing photos or recordings of others, including bystanders and witnesses. Their physical and emotional safety must also be considered, especially in situations involving sexual acts, adult role play, or impact play.
- Checking in with others is part of how we hold space for each other.
- Consent cannot be fully given when there is indecision or when someone is in an altered state.
- Consent is not valid when obtained through coercion or persistent pressure.
- Consent is not valid when there are radical power imbalances.
Expected Behaviour
This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- You will ensure consent. Consent is supported by our whole community. You are obligated to get someone’s consent before any form of physical contact, in situations involving videography or photography at Flame Ontario Arts Collective events. Always ask first and respect the response.
- You will be considerate and respectful of fellow participants and the community around the event.
- You will refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing or violent behaviour.
- You will be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants’ safety.
- Be conscious of your well-being and aware of your own needs.
- Practice self-care and harm reduction. Remember that we value self-reliance in our community. In general, Flame Ontario Arts Collective encourages community members to resolve disputes at the lowest level. There may be situations, however, that you can’t resolve on your own. If you find yourself in such a situation, please reach out to the following for support: Rangers, Sanctuary, or the Board of Directors (as applicable). For support outside the event please contact the CARE Committee at care@sideburn.ca or file an incident report.
Unacceptable Behaviour
This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Predatory behaviour, defined as any unwanted and non-consensual form of any of the following: intimidation, harassment, coercive behaviour, stalking, verbal or physical abuse, and violence against others or their property.
- Discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, ethnicity, colour, socioeconomic status, age, family status, marital status, religion, or receipt of public assistance will not be tolerated at Flame Ontario Arts Collective events.
- Non-consensual physical contact, including unwelcome sexual interaction or comments.
- Destruction or neglect of Flame Ontario Arts Collective property, physical or otherwise, such as vandalism, theft, defrauding the ticketing process, or impersonating a lead or organizer.
- Disrespecting the host community, residents, and businesses surrounding the event. Examples of non-tolerated behaviours include dumping trash in local dumpsters, trespassing, or repeated violations of the event’s sound ordinance.
- Wanton, flagrant, or repeated disregard for one’s own safety or well-being in a manner that demands the intervention of other participants, community members, volunteers, or outside agencies, such as intervention by local emergency services.
- Abuse is not tolerated. This includes verbal/ physical assault, demeaning, degrading or oppressive comments, stalking, threatening or bullying, marginalization, deliberate intimidation, extortion, disrupting/disrespecting performers or safety teams, and harassing or mistreating others.
- Repeated or egregious violations of any and all policies put in effect by event organizers.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour
Behaviour that is contrary to the behaviour described above will not be tolerated before, during, or after the event. This includes all mediums, whether by phone, email, social media, or in face-to-face communication.
Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to do so immediately. The Flame Ontario Art Collective board may take any action they deem appropriate to ensure the safety of the event and its participants. This action may include expulsion from the event without refund and/or removal from volunteer or leadership roles.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Flame Ontario Arts Collective will investigate all complaints of discrimination, harassment, or violence reported by attendees, including volunteers, at our events. Investigations will be conducted in a serious and confidential manner. The procedures for carrying out an investigation will be established by the board of directors of Flame Ontario Arts Collective, and the investigation may be carried out by a third party appointed by the board.
What to do if you witness or are subject to unacceptable behaviour:
If you believe that you or anyone else is being subjected to any unacceptable behaviour, as outlined in this document or otherwise, follow these steps:
- Speak up. Say ‘No’ and ask them to stop.
- If you feel unsafe, leave the situation.
- If you feel uncomfortable and feel you need support, reach out to any of the the following:
- Rangers
- Sanctuary Volunteers
- Department Leads
- Board of Directors (if appropriate)
- If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask. If someone asks you for help, do your best to assist or find someone who can.
- Report your concerns to an on-call Ranger or Sanctuary’s Vibe Patrol–these individuals are prepared to assist participants and listen to your concerns. They can be found roaming the event or stationed at the HUB. If you see any event staff with a radio they can also contact a Ranger for you.
- Report any and all crime. If you witness or are the victim of a crime during the event and wish to have direct law enforcement response, please call law enforcement as needed and then advise anyone with a radio as soon as possible, so we can best direct them from the entrance gate. Alternatively, you can let anyone with a radio know, and the team will contact law enforcement on your behalf.
- At any time, you can submit a report directly to the CARE Committee using our incident reporting form. You’ll also find a QR code for reporting on the back of every parking pass.
Flame Ontario Arts Collective does not have the power to exclude a person from the Burner community at large, or public spaces where the community gathers, or private, community events (parties, private fundraisers, etc.) that it does not sponsor or organize.
Flame Ontario Arts Collective does not intend for this process to be an alternative forum for justice and cannot provide a repair of damage or reversal of trauma.
We thank you in advance for your adherence to this Code of Conduct. Together, we can craft an event and community that is safe and welcoming for all participants with a commitment to improvement.
Emotional Responsibility
It is not unusual to experience intense emotions at a Burning Man event– these can range from euphoria and gratitude to fatigue, sadness, anger, and irritability. While these feelings are valid, always consider how they may impact those around you.
Please do not unload onto others. Instead, give yourself a little downtime, check in on your needs, and give yourself space to process. Negative expressions of emotion and harmful behaviour directed at others are not acceptable. It’s important that we all act on our shared values to build community and trust together. Emotional “MOOP” (Matter Out Of Place) cannot be directed at others.
Intent, Impact, and Accountability
If you receive communication from attendees or volunteers that suggests or confirms that your behaviour is challenging or unacceptable, please be humble and patient to listen and reflect. If you are asked to stop doing something because it is causing harm, stop immediately and take the time to seek support and understanding.
Sometimes our actions cause unintended harm. Your willingness to pause and reflect on this kind of feedback–without reactivity or sarcasm–is an important step in genuine accountability, understanding, and growth. Be willing to listen and take accountability, even if you don’t fully agree or understand.
Let’s work together to improve our communication and understanding of each other’s needs. If you are not willing to engage in accountability, you may face consequences such as a loss of privileges or powers, a break in participation, being asked to leave or take space from the event, or escalation to law enforcement.
Photo & Video Consent Policy
SideBurn is a private event. We embrace radical self-expression; however, there are some who may wish to not share this experience in the public sphere.
Please refrain from photographing or filming anyone unless you have their explicit consent, and only post or share such content with their explicit consent as well. While some people do enjoy being photographed, they may want the images to remain private or shared only with specific audiences,or not shared publicly on social media. If anyone asks you to delete a photo or video of them, please respect their request and do so promptly.
Alcohol
Our permit does not allow open alcohol containers on the site when you are roaming the event. However, open alcohol is allowed within camps. Please do not go for a wander with an open and visible container of alcohol.
CARE Committee
The CARE Committee is SideBurn’s Consent, Accountability, Resilience & Equity Team. It comprises the Consent Chair and the Equity Representative and seeks to ensure that SideBurn and all Flame Ontario Arts Collective events maintain CARE’s core values.
CARE commits to upholding the core values guiding our support and decision-making approach. It aims to provide a meaningful process for participants to raise concerns related to SideBurn, other Flame Ontario Arts Collective events, volunteers, and attendees, while advancing the goals of consent and equity at our events. These core values also form the foundation of our work and guide us in creating a more just, inclusive, and supportive environment for everyone involved.
The core values of CARE are:
- Radical Accountability
- Trauma-Informed
- Informed Consent
- Empathy
- Humility
- Diversity
- Equity
- Timeliness
- Resilience
For more information or if you want to help, you can reach us at care@sideburn.ca.
