Seattle Flow Arts Collective
Code of Conduct

Last Revision: 10/5/2020

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to define our values and provide guidelines for participation in Seattle Flow Arts Collective (SFAC) activities and spaces. These guiding principles apply to event organizers, instructors, staff, board members, volunteers, vendors, artists, and other participants of the SFAC community. Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in being restricted from attending SFAC events.

SFAC strives to create spaces that honor our core values: Inclusivity, Respect, Integrity, Play, Community, and Failure. Through the practice of these values, our community members have the opportunity to grow, learn, and co-create an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for anyone interested in the flow arts.

This is a living document. It is created for the community, by the community, and will develop, change, and grow as the needs of the community evolve. As a member of the SFAC community, I commit to upholding the agreements within this Code of Conduct. Thank you for doing your part to make Seattle Flow Arts Collective a safer space for our community.

Getting Help

In the event of injury or harm, please seek immediate assistance from someone you trust and inform the event host, program director, or any SFAC Board Member.

If you feel your consent, personal space or belongings have been violated, please reach out to an event organizer or email conduct@seattleflowarts.org to seek further help. Anything shared with our consent team will be kept strictly confidential.

If you need clarification on any point or feel that this Code of Conduct has been misinterpreted, violated, or is missing anything, please speak to an event host, SFAC Board Member or write to conduct@seattleflowarts.org.

Inclusivity 

We collectively create a community that fosters trust, cooperation, and a sense of belonging. We consider a community member to be anyone who participates in a SFAC-sponsored event or space, whether in person or online. We honor and elevate people of all abilities, races, ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds. We share the wonder of flow arts with all who are interested and actively seek connection with individuals, groups, and communities who may benefit from experiencing this art form.

  • I will embrace diversity in all of our activities. Specifically, I will be welcoming and inclusive of all identities: race, ethnicity, age, gender, body size, sexual orientation, faith, socio-economic background, (dis)ability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, and medical conditions.
  • I will conduct myself in a way that holds space for differing views and opinions as well as new ideas, people, and experiences.
  • I will refrain from behaviors that create a hostile environment for any individual or group of people.
  • I will support my fellow flow artists along their journey, respecting the individual skill levels, experiences, and unique contributions of others in the community. 
  • I will seek support, report, or intervene when I see instances of bullying, harassment, segregation, or hostility.

Respect

As a community, we understand respect to be the recognition and consideration of the feelings, wishes, rights, cultures, and identities of all in the SFAC community. We acknowledge that everyone has unconscious biases and incomplete information. We commit to supporting the learning and transformation of individuals and the collective. We commit to building a community where we treat others how they would like to be treated.  

  • I will practice self awareness, acknowledge and prioritize my physical and mental health, and follow best practices to ensure the health and well-being of others.
  • I commit to practicing compassion for myself when I make mistakes, to listening thoughtfully when provided with feedback, and to be open to learning and growing when presented with new information or perspectives
  • I will ask permission before using someone else’s equipment/tools/props and respect their right to decline without providing an explanation.
  • I will use shared spaces thoughtfully and respectfully, and leave them better than I found them.
  • I will act in accordance with event and facility rules as well as local, state, and federal laws while engaging in any SFAC activity.

Consent 

We as a community recognize that consent is a part of day-to-day life. Consent is essential in all forms of interaction and is based on the pillars of Autonomy, Capacity, Information, and Agreement. We understand that consent is an ongoing process and can be revisited or retracted at any time during an interaction. We acknowledge that human interactions are imperfect, and therefore we strive to build a healthy culture by practicing and seeking clear, ongoing consent. 

Many styles of interaction and relationship exist. The framework of consent between people is shared, ever-changing, and unique to those involved. Practicing informed consent encourages free expression and builds safer spaces for us all. The pillars of Autonomy, Capacity, Information, and Agreement are defined as follows: 

Autonomy is the power to choose what happens to one’s body, mind, spirit, and experience; it is a basic right that cannot be taken or given away.

Capacity refers to a person’s ability to understand and provide a clear-headed yes or no. Capacity can be reduced by environmental factors, physical, mental or emotional stress, substances, and power differentials. 

Information refers to what is being asked and what an experience will entail. Information must be clearly communicated for consent to be valid.

Agreement refers to whether a person has decided to participate in an experience.

Autonomy

  • I will commit to actively seeking consent before hugging, touching, or otherwise interacting with the physical boundaries of other people.
  • I will behave in a way that respects the physical, mental, and emotional safety of myself and others.
  • I understand that my consent to engage can be withdrawn at any time during an interaction and will respect the right of others to do the same. 

Capacity

  • I will consider the impact of power differentials, substances, and the physical, mental or emotional stress of myself and others when seeking consent. 
  • I acknowledge that I am not owed a response and that in some situations full attention to my request cannot be given safely or immediately.
  • I acknowledge that a lack of response is a valid response on its own and will be considered a “no.” 
  • I will ask rather than guess if I am unsure whether someone has the capacity to give consent. 
  • I understand that a “yes” achieved by manipulation, coercion, or force is not consent.

Information

  • I commit to making informed choices, and will ask for clarification before consenting to interactions and activities I am not familiar with or don’t fully understand.
  • I will clearly communicate my wishes, boundaries, and intentions, while respecting the wishes and boundaries of others.
  • I commit to being transparent about the knowledge, experience, and skills I have when sharing information about an activity or interaction. 
  • I acknowledge that boundaries may shift or limitations may surface and I commit to communicating new information as it arises.     

Agreement

  • I agree that it is the responsibility of all people involved to give and receive a clear agreement or refusal to an interaction. 
  • I will not pressure someone to give an answer or engage in an activity that goes against their wishes or boundaries.
  • I acknowledge that each agreement has a unique timeframe for which it is valid.
  • I understand that consent can be withdrawn at any point without question, penalty, or retaliation.
  • I understand that a “yes” achieved by manipulation, coercion, or force is not consent. (Yes, we said it twice …and no, we were not coerced.)