The Plenty Hot organisation Team is dedicated to promoting swing dancing and culture throughout Germany at our events, everyone is there because they enjoy swing music, dance and culture! We welcome all people to dance events regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, race, or religion. We are committed to providing a safe scene for everyone to enjoy. All people engaging in Plenty Hot are required to act in accordance with our Code of Conduct & Ethical Guidelines to help ensure a safe and fun environment is created for everybody to enjoy.

All instructors, musicians and staff know about their responsibility to represent those Ethical Guidelines (CoC) and sign to follow them by 100%. All participants agree by registration to follow the same rules.

WHAT IS NOT OKAY?
Any unwanted or unwelcome behavior (sexual or otherwise) which makes a person feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated. Examples of harassment and bullying include but are not limited to:

• Inappropriate verbal comments, teasing, or putting down of others
• Intimidation or stalking
• Defamation of anyone
• Unwanted physical contact or unwanted sexual advances
• Posting unwanted, unauthorized or inappropriate material on social media, particularly when directed at or about an individual
• Any inappropriate, bullying or harassing text messages
• Dancing drunk, or drug addictive behavior influencing others
• Behavior that may be considered an offence under criminal law, such as physical assault, indecent exposure, sexual assault, stalking, or obscene communications.

WHAT IS OKAY? aka, how can I treat everyone respectfully?
Dancing is about fun, but also about consent. Communicate with your partner and ensure you are both feeling comfortable and safe. That also relates to aerials and dips.

• Be good people: do not use discriminating behavior, for example misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or racist language.
• Ask for verbal consent: “Would you like to dance?” “Would you like a drink?”
• Even if you’ve been given consent before, ask every time. Use your words.
• Respect the bodies and persons of other people: do not touch anyone without asking permission, do not touch anyone inappropriately, and stop if someone asks you to. Do not harass or pester someone who has already said no to a dance.

If someone lets you know, verbally or non-verbally, that they are feeling uncomfortable, address your behavior, apologize sincerely, and make a change immediately.

 

HOW CAN I REPORT SOMETHING?
Do you feel like there has been a breach of our Code of Conduct? Tell us! If you are injured, feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or are experiencing or witnessing inappropriate behavior, please let us know. We will take immediate action. We will handle any issue, big or small, with absolute seriousness and in the strictest confidence.

You can approach:

• A member of the Safety & Awareness Team – Jens, Angelika, Susi, David, Kerstin
• Contact our “safe space” mobile number (Telefon)
• If you do not feel comfortable speaking to someone in person, you can email

Violations of the Code of Conduct will result in a range of outcomes, from a conversation and reference to the Code of Conduct, to expulsion from our venues and events. In a worst case we will protect victim, then call police, cancel the event, and indict the perpetrator.

Repeated infringements of our Code of Conduct will not be tolerated.

 

If you need emergency assistance, crisis hotlines such as the below are also available to you.

• Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst + Hausbesuche, wochentags 19 – 7 Uhr, sowie 24h am Wochenende 116117 (ohne Vorwahl), Link: kvs-sachsen.de/buerger/aerztlicher-bereitschaftsdienst
• Allgemein- u. Kinderärztliche Bereitschaftssprechstunde Uniklinik 0351-116 117
• Polizei 110 | Feuerwehr, Rettungsdienst 112 | Sperr-Notruf 116116 | Fundbüro 0351-4885996
• Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen: 08000-116016 | Psychosozialer Dienst für Menschen in Krisen 0351-4885341
• Frauenschutzhaus 0351-2817788 Opferhilfe Sachsen 0351-8010139
• Dresden- Ausweg Beratungsstelle 0351-3100221
• Sowieso Frauen für Frauen e.V. 0351-8041470
• Vandalismus-Telefon, Meldungen + Auskunft zur Verhinderung u. Beseitigung von Sachschäden 0351-4886333
• Taxi 0351/ 211 211

Sex.Gew. u. Verantwortung der Gesellschaft / Kommunikation (info talk in German)

FEEL GOOD …

look after yourself. Before you begin dancing with your partner, please notify them of any injuries or concerns that may develop throughout the dance (e.g., particular motions that make you uncomfortable). If someone is doing anything that makes you unhappy, you have the right to tell them to stop, and if they do not, you have the right to end the dance.

Consider the needs of others. Everyone is responsible for learning acceptable floor craft and adapting to the space provided on the dance floor. We recognize that accidents and crashes are inevitable, but before continuing your dance, make sure to apologize and check if the other person or couple is okay or needs medical treatment. Apologize if you mistakenly touch a region of your partner’s body that is private, sexual, or outside the realm of legitimate holds or connection points.

Do not force your partner into a move or dance-hold (such as a close embrace). If you have attempted to lead something and they have stopped or adjusted the move, do not attempt to lead the same move again, as they likely had a legitimate reason for not continuing. Similarly, if you are in a closed position, provide room for your partner to exit the embrace. If you are uncertain as to whether your partner is displaying difficulties with a certain part of the dance, be sure to inquire.

Please observe proper personal hygiene at events; shower before going and wear deodorant, as well as appropriate attire and footwear. Additionally, we recommend carrying a towel, an alternate shirt, and breath mints. Followers, please cover your back and leaders, please cover your shoulders to make the dance more enjoyable for your partner.

Partner dancing can be an intimate pastime, and flirtation may develop; nonetheless, you should not attend socials with the express aim of trying to meet someone. Respect other people’s boundaries: do not presume that they are fine with other advances simply because they accepted to dance with you. If you are uncertain whether a person is at ease, you should ask them. One person’s boundaries may differ from those of another, so if someone tells you that your actions have made them feel uncomfortable, take it to heart and adjust your behavior accordingly, even if others have not expressed similar sentiments.

You can always say „no“ at anytime. Take a „no“ easy and ask another dancer. Please be inclusive and kind to each other.

 

HAVE FUN, be crazy, make friends. Be supportive and respectful of each other, and keep each other safe. We expect you not to discriminate ethnicity, skill level, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, religion, body size, appearance, etc.

Use moderation when drinking or else! We promote straight edge for having most fun in dancing. Engage in lots of dances over the weekend. Help us in community building. Also tell us what you liked!

These guidelines do not claim to be final or to be complete.
All our past events went fine. Known of zero cases in SA, and resulting in lots of happy dancers to return with good memories the year after.