ABOUT THE LAUNCH

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Wai/hello,

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We strive to create an environment that is safe, inclusive, and welcoming to all, while allowing for the diverse experimentation and sometimes difficult subject matters that may be presented by our independent artists. We welcome any, and all, suggestions on making the Fringe a great experience for all audiences and furthering our mission!

We believe that there is no place at Bass Nation for any form of behaviour that creates a hostile environment. Harassment, including microaggressions, are unacceptable in a festival where everyone should feel free from harassment, violence, and discrimination.

This Code of Conduct is one part of our commitment to ensuring a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all.

Our Code of Conduct is a community pledge for all participants in the Fringe, whether you are an artist, volunteer, staff, audience member, or in any way taking part in our organization and Festival. If you participate in the Fringe, you have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and also the obligation to treat others in the same way.

 

Code of Conduct

 

In the spirit of an open and inclusive community, we ask you to commit to the following:

 

• Understand and foster an environment that is free of harassment, sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination in any form. Be nice! Harassment is often defined by the person that is being harassed, so being understanding of another point of view can be critical.

• Respect others. We respect every person and encourage personal development in ourselves and others. Respectful behaviour includes listening before speaking and asking questions rather than assuming intentions.

• Do your part to prevent and stop harassment. Watch out for others. Contribute to this not only through refraining from engaging in harassing behaviour yourself, but by supporting others, only when appropriate and safe, that you see experiencing forms of harassment.

• Respect your own needs. Pay attention to your own needs. Ask for help or clarification. Take the time or space you need to be fully present and rested.

• Engage in constructive dialogue. Bass Nation brings people from many different walks of life. Recognize that someone else’s frame of reference is likely to be different from your own.

 

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

 

• offending or humiliating someone physically or verbally;

• threatening or intimidating someone; or

• making unwelcome jokes or comments about someone’s gender, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, or religion;

• microagressions, which is a term used for brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioural, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward any marginalized group;

• deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent; or

• stalking or following without consent.

 

Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:

 

• offensive or humiliating behaviour that is related to a person’s gender identity;

• behaviour of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, unwelcome, hostile, or offensive environment;

• physical contact and simulated physical contact (eg, textual descriptions like “*hug*” or “*backrub*”) without consent or after a request to stop; or

• behaviour of a sexual nature that could reasonably be thought to put sexual conditions on a person’s work opportunities.

 

Violent behaviour may include, but is not limited to:

 

• hitting another person;

• throwing objects;

• incitement of violence towards any individual, including encouraging a person to commit suicide or to engage in self-harm; or

• any violence, or threats, whether conveyed verbally, in writing, or through behaviour.

 

Who to contact

 

We are always available for confidential support and guidance.

• If you feel you are in an emergency situation always first make sure you are safe and dial 911 immediately for emergency police, fire, or ambulance services.

• If you are on-site at a venue and need assistance, please inform a Bass Nation staffer or volunteer and they can radio for additional assistance if needed. You’ll be able to identify staffers and volunteers by their brightly coloured Bass Nation t-shirts which have”Staff” or “Volunteer” printed on them.

• If you are in need of crisis support, please call the Crisis Centre Distress Line: 604.872.3311 or Toll Free: 1.866.661.3311. The Crisis Centre is open 24 hours and offers confidential, anonymous crisis support for any issue.

 

Please see our contact emails and phone numbers below for our Workplace Culture and Oversight Committee, made up of members that have been identified as the first point of contact for you. Feel free to reach out to any of the people below. We will get back to you soon!

 

 

So, is that it?

 

Ideally, we would live in a world where a Code of Conduct is not necessary, but we believe in being proactive and clear about our community expectations.

 

That being said, we all have lots to learn. We are always in the process of getting better at what we do, and we look to you, our community for insight, assistance, and help.

If you have any ideas on how we can continue to make this event a more welcoming environment for all, please email us at info@bassnation.ca or visit the website at www.bassnation.ca.

 

 We look forward to hearing from you.

 

LIM LEMPT/THANK YOU