Code of Conduct

The UI Swing Dance Club Code of Conduct

Our goal as a swing dance club is to be inclusive of all people and represent how welcoming the Lindy Hop community is. We want to create an environment where people can step out of their comfort zone and either try swing dancing for the first time or challenge themselves to improve. That said, we want this to be an environment where discomfort comes from being challenged and growing in your skills as a dancer and meeting new people and not due to others making you uncomfortable through their actions or vice versa. Below are some guidelines that will help you contribute to a welcoming lesson and social dance environment.

Do’s:

    • If you want to dance, feel free to ask someone to dance. There are no rules in swing dancing about who should ask who to dance.

    • Thank your partner for the dance afterwards.

    • Be aware of the other dancers around you so that we can avoid collisions.

    • Apologize if you accidentally bump, hit, kick, etc. other dancers.

      • This can be as simple as making eye contact with the other dancer(s) and mouthing “I’m sorry”

    • Have good personal hygiene.

    • Graciously accept when someone says “no” to a dance.

    • Let the club leaders/ event organizers know if someone is making you uncomfortable or if someone is dancing dangerously either by talking to us in person or emailing us at uiswing@yahoo.com. If you would rather share your concern anonymously please fill out our Anonymous Reporting Form

Don'ts:

    • We do not tolerate harassment of any kind. If you harass someone, you may be asked to leave. This environment is for everyone regardless of gender/gender identity, race, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, religion, etc.

    • Don’t touch other dancers inappropriately. If you accidentally touch someone in a way you didn’t intend, apologize.

    • Don’t do aerials or lifts on the social dance floor.

    • Don’t teach on the social dance floor unless the other dancer asks you for advice.

    • Don’t expect other dancers to always want to give advice. Sometimes they just want to dance as well.

If we see anyone breaking the code of conduct, we will either inform the person they are going against our code of conduct, ask them to leave the event, or ban them from future club activities depending on the severity and frequency of the breach.

Also check out the Holy Lindy Land's infographic for more about Lindy Hop etiquette!: A Lindy Hopper's Etiquette