The code of conduct applies to all classes, workshop and events hosted by Paola Essential Tango/Paola Aguillon. By attending said events, all participants understand and agree to the boundaries and accountability listed in this document.
PURPOSE
It is my desire to provide the best experience possible to my students and guests. This code of conduct can educate, inform, and communicate boundaries to reach that goal. It is important that each participant appreciates the full extent of being accountable for their behavior and their responsibilities in creating a safe experience for everyone.
The code of conduct also offers a structure where participants can feel comfortable and free within specific boundaries to create a sense of fun and safety.
CONDUCT
Participants understand that specific behaviors are to be avoided at all cost. Those boundaries are non-negotiable and will apply to everyone regardless of, and not limited to, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, profession, social skill and dance skill.
Please see Policies and Procedures as well as Best Practices for more information
–Harassment of any form, verbal, physical, or virtual has no place at my events. Any unwelcome behavior, especially repeated after a person has voiced their boundaries, will be addressed immediately.
Harassment includes, and is not limited to, offensive verbal comments (related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion), sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of events, unwelcome sexual attention.
-Any form of unwanted, unrequested touch and assault will not be tolerated and addressed immediately. Any physical contact outside the understood tango embrace, including but not limited to breasts, genitals, lower back, buttock, hair, neck, face, must involve the enthusiastic consent of both parties.
Dancers uncomfortable with understood tango movements including but not limited to close embrace, leg wrap, sacadas or fusion movements, are encouraged to share their preferences and boundaries. It is allowed and supported to share those preferences at any time before or during the dance. Disregard or transgression of verbal or non-verbal boundaries will be addressed systematically.
–Discrimination on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social skill, dance skill and/or dance role has no place at my events. We wish for everyone to be treated equally and with respect.
–Sharing information about how our partner can improve, correct, adjust their dancing is unwelcome unless you are the teacher within your own classroom. Giving constructive criticism, feedback, tips, or pointers without the express permission of the partner is to be avoided.
It is allowed and supported to share information with our partner related to comfort, pain, or safety. Partners are strongly encouraged to pay the highest attention to the latter type of information shared and adapt to the best of their ability to create a comfortable embrace, as well as a sense of safety and respect.
–Safety comes first. It’s hard or impossible to have fun if we don’t feel safe. Any behavior that endangers our partner, others, or the organizers will be addressed immediately. In addition to what is stated above, it includes, but is not limited to, abuse of substance and alcohol, lifts, kicks, aerials or large movement, erratic maneuvering on the dance floor and/or aggressive movements.
CONSEQUENCES
If a participant engages in unwelcome behavior, I or the event staff may take any action we deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, speaking with the offender, escorting the offender out from the event without refund, banning the offender from future events (temporarily or permanently), and/or communicating the situation to the authorities.
How to report a code of conduct violation?
If you experience any behavior that threatens your safety, emotional or physical, notice someone else experiencing them, or have any question or concerns, please contact me or the event staff immediately.
We will be happy to help guests contact local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those in need to feel safe for the duration of the event. My students and guests’ well being is a priority to me and I take the privilege of being your host very seriously.
You can also report any situation, witnessed or experienced, at a later time at the contact information below:
Paola Aguillon
512-921-7691
Paola Essential 