Code of Conduct

 This code of conduct describes:

• How we can share the responsibility to make the weekend fun while also keeping all of us safe.
• What behaviors are considered okay and what behaviors are not.
• What options are available for dancers if someone’s behavior is unacceptable or not safe for those around them.
• What the event will do to support a safe environment for attendees.

Be respectful of those around you on the dance floor. If you bump into someone, apologize. If you hurt someone, apologize, and also try to figure out how you can keep it from happening again. This might mean not dancing with them again or talking to your teacher.

Respect other people’s boundaries. We support everyone’s right to say “no” and/or “stop”. Dancers can do some pretty crazy things, but just because you see someone do something with someone else doesn’t mean they will want to do it with you! This applies to everything from close dance holds to moves like dips, flirty conversations or even just agreeing to dance. If you aren’t sure of someone’s boundaries, or can’t tell from their nonverbal cues, then 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 that 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.

Ask, and respond, respectfully. People around here usually happily accept an invitation to dance, but it is also okay to say “no.” If you are turned down for a dance, please respect that decision and find someone else to dance with instead. If at any point in a dance you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you can tell your partner that you are uncomfortable, ask for any adjustments you need, or stop the dance before the song ends without explanation. Requests for your own safety and comfort are respectful of your partner as your ally in creating fun for everyone, and are not the same as offering someone unsolicited feedback on their dance skills (which is generally considered rude). If you are often uncomfortable in dances or often the recipient of these kinds of requests for adjustments, you should consider reaching out to a teacher or trusted ally for help.

Please do not engage in any illegal behavior during our event, including, but not limited to, use of illegal drugs, giving alcohol to minors and stealing.

This environment is for everyone regardless of race, age, level of dance, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, disability, physical appearance, religion, or anything else. 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 and can be considered harassment. If you harass or threaten someone, you may be asked to leave.

What to do if you witness or are subjected to unacceptable or harassing behavior:
Please watch out for each other and help us to take care of you. If you aren’t 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. If you are subjected to harassing behavior, notice that someone else is being subjected to unsafe or unacceptable behavior, or have other concerns along these lines, please contact event staff for help. You can find staff on duty at the event registration desk, or at the DJ booth when registration is closed, or you can directly text or call one of the people listed below; you may also ask the hotel or venue staff to find us. We promise to listen and to treat you with respect and confidentiality.

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, event organizers’ interventions in response to a problem 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

Those 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’d like to hear about them too. We want this to be a place everyone can enjoy. We are grateful for your help and commitment to making our shared environment safe for everyone.

Harassment/Misconduct:
The Bend Connection takes a strong stand against misconduct by holding ourselves, our staff, volunteers, attendees, and guests to high anti-harassment standards. We are committed in all areas to providing an environment that is safe and free from harassment based upon an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or any other legally protected characteristics.

We expect all attendees at any of our events to respect one another on and off the dance floor at all times. Harassment in any form, including sexual harassment, will not be tolerated.

Sexual harassment is behavior characterized by the making of unwelcome and inappropriate sexual remarks or physical advances in a professional or social situation. Examples of harassing behavior include unwanted physical contact, foul language of an offensive sexual nature, sexual propositions, sexual jokes or remarks, obscene gestures, and displays of pornographic or sexually explicit pictures, drawings, or caricatures.

If you feel that you have been harassed on the basis of your sex, race, national origin, ethnic background, or any other legally protected characteristic, please immediately report the matter to an event staffer and/or Event Directors. A reporting mechanism is in place to provide a confidential, thorough, and impartial investigation. Any necessary corrective action will be prompt, consistent and proportionate to the severity of the harassment/misconduct.

Right to Refuse:
The Bend Connection is a privately owned company and we reserve 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 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.

Thank you for helping us keep all our events safe.

Rules & Policies reference credit goes to SwingCouver & MADjam

WSDC Jack & Jill Divisions:

Masters - open to anyone 50+ years old

Novice - based on your WSDC number, or if you do not have a number yet. 

Intermediate - based on your WSDC number

Advanced - based on your WSDC number

All-Star - based on your WSDC number

  Jack & Jill contests allow individuals to enter without a partner and demonstrate skills in spontaneous dancing with a variety of partners. There is an inherent “luck of the draw” factor involved. Leaders and followers are randomly paired. There will be several partner changes during the preliminary and semi-final  rounds. Competitors are scored individually on timing, technique and teamwork in preliminary heats. Those scoring the  highest will be called back to dance in the next round. In the final round, individuals are randomly paired, then scored  together as a couple. The DJ picks the music. Tempo and style will vary. All songs will be appropriate for the dance  division entered. There are divisions for different skill levels (WSDC), divisions with age requirements and divisions open to all. There are strict entry deadlines.

Competitors are responsible for entering only contests they qualify for WSDC Skill Level Divisions are based on previous WSDC competition results, and follow the guidelines listed on chart 3  at https://www.worldsdc.com/wsdc-points-registry-rules/ 

You may enter one skill level as a leader and an adjacent skill level as a follower. If you have previously made finals in a WSDC JJ, you can look up your WSDC competitor number, how many points you have, and what level you are eligible to enter in each role on this site: https://www.worldsdc.com/registry-points/.  

First time Jack & Jill competitors and those with no previous WSDC JJ competition experience should start in Novice.  To enter Novice Jack and Jill you must be competent with the basics of social dancing.  A competitor with exceptional circumstances may submit a formal petition for a level change. Please submit this to the head judge Estelle Bonniare at estelle.bonnaire@gmail.com MINIMUM 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE START OF THE EVENT.

You may submit a petition to dance down 2 levels below their primary level in their secondary role. These petitions MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LESS THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE THE COMPETITOIN BEGINS TO estelle.bonnaire@gmail.com. 

Dancing in the wrong division without a successful prior petition may incur disqualification. See worldsdc.com/rules. Questions should be directed to info@thebendconnection.com.  

NON – WSDC Jack & Jill Divisions:

All-American Jack & Jill – All levels can enter, and it’s luck of the draw. Must pre-register; Dancers enter individually.

 Strictly Swing A:

For this division, the partnerships must enter based on the highest level either dancer qualifies for according to the WSDC points they have earned, and the WSDC level criteria for Jack & Jill. Advanced and All Star dancers may partner for this division. This is a lead & follow division, no choreography is allowed. Dancers must pre-register as a partnership and both dancers must hold weekend pass.

Strictly Swing – B:

For this division, the partnerships must enter based on the lowest level either dancer qualifies for according to the WSDC points they have earned, and the WSDC level criteria for Jack & Jill. Novice and Intermediate dancers only may partner for this division. This is a lead & follow division, no choreography is allowed. Dancers must pre-register as a partnership and both dancers must hold a weekend pass.

 Last Updated 1/2/24.
 

Our interest is that everyone attending The Bend Connection experience comfort and safety. The wearing of masks will be optional throughout the event. 

We ask that every attendee monitor and manage their own health and symptoms so as not to compromise the health of others. If you feel unwell prior to attending the event, please stay home.

These policies are being established with the best interests of our dance community in mind. Please know that if circumstances change and the CDC or local health authorities institute policies that are not compatible with the above policies, we may be required to modify these guidelines. 

Reach out to us at info@thebendconnection.com if you have any questions.