The SideBurn event, sponsored by the Flame Ontario Arts Collective Board, expects attendees, grant recipients, and volunteers to actively participate in creating a welcoming space for all. This Code of Conduct outlines expectations for participants, grant recipients, and volunteer behaviour at SideBurn and associated spaces (including, but not exclusive to, online forums, build gatherings and preparation meetings), focussing on the principles of Communal Effort, Civic Responsibility, Radical Inclusion and Participation. Participation is open to all, but continued attendance is a privilege that can be revoked at any time if a participant fails to respect attendees or behaves in a way that aligns with this Code of Conduct.
Consent Essentials:
- Remember FRIES: Consent is Freely given; Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific.
- Consent is mandatory when it comes to all types of physical contact, objectification and sexual commentary. Unwanted attention and touch are not okay. This includes commentary on bodies, physical touch, sexual harassment, sexual commentary and objectification.
- Consent must be continuous and can be revoked at any time for any reason; check in often, especially when actions and risks are progressive.
- You must have consent to capture photos/recordings of other event participants.
- Bystanders and witnesses must also consent: their physical and emotional safety must be considered.
- Consent isn’t wholly attained when indecision and/or altered states are factors.
- Consent is negated with coercion and repeated asks. Radical differences in power also negate it.
Unacceptable behaviour includes but is not limited to:
- Discrimination: based on gender or gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, religion, spirituality, physical appearance, or cultural background. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants, volunteers, board of directors and vendors.
- Predatory behaviour: this includes verbal/ physical assault, demeaning, degrading or oppressive comments, stalking, threatening or bullying, marginalization, deliberate intimidation, extortion, disrupting/disrespecting performers or safety teams, harassing or mistreating others.
- Non-consensual physical contact: Consent is mandatory when it comes to all types of physical contact, objectification and sexual commentary. Unwanted attention and touch are not okay. This includes commentary on bodies, physical touch, sexual harassment, sexual commentary and
objectification. - Abuse or neglect of SideBurn or Flame Ontario Arts Collective’s property: Damaging, stealing, neglecting, or hogging community resources, artwork or equipment is selfish and unacceptable. This includes abusing the ticketing process, spreading harmful misinformation, and impersonating leads or safety teams.
- Disrespecting the local community surrounding the event, such as dumping trash in local dumpsters, trespassing, or repeated violations of the event’s sound policies.
- 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 local law enforcement, paramedics or fire department staff.
- Repeated or egregious violations of any and all policies put in effect by event organizers.
Code of Conduct
If a participant engages in unacceptable behaviours, the event organizers 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 a refund, revoking tickets, or removing a volunteer from their shift or role.
If a participant’s behaviour is found to be egregious, an expulsion for the present or following years may be instituted. After the following year’s event, there may be an opportunity to appeal and show progress towards resolving these issues.
Attendee Sign-Off:
I have read the Flame Ontario Arts Collective Code of Conduct and agree to comply with the expected behaviours as outlined. I will take the necessary precautions to ensure my own safety, the safety of all other participants, and the safety of the event. I understand that the rules and guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct cannot and do not cover every situation, and as such, I agree to exercise good judgment to minimize harm. I understand and agree that my participation can be limited or revoked if I fail to respect other attendees or behave in a way that endangers myself, other participants, the event, or the broader community.
If you understand and agree to the above, please use the confirmation word “armpit”.
Approved: Dec 17, 2024
