Safety Policy
Monadnock Folklore Society approved 09/07/25
Introduction
The Monadnock Folklore Society is dedicated to sponsoring events that are safe and enjoyable experiences for all attendees.
We encourage you to assist us by modeling actions that make you and those around you feel comfortable and safe, asking others about their needs and preferences, and being open and communicative about your own needs and preferences.
MFS is committed to doing the best we can. We are open to feedback on how we can continue to improve.This is a living document and will be updated as needed.
Contact a dance organizer, or send email to contrainfo@monadnockfolk.org to report a violation of this safety policy.
Statement of Community Care
Inclusion: We are welcoming to all, of any sex, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, contra dance experience, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion. We actively work to create inclusive spaces.
Consent: Anyone can say yes or no when asked to dance, with no reason needed for declining. It’s fine to say no to a dance with one person and yes to someone else. Ask for consent before initiating a flourish such as a twirl or spin. We encourage clear communication between dancers about what feels safe and comfortable.
Accommodation: We encourage dancers to inform and ask each other about any personal limitations and to accommodate each other as needed, graciously.
Safety: We dance with the safety and comfort of other dancers in mind. There is a fine line between being playful and interfering with others. Each dancer has both the right and the responsibility to maintain control of their body. We do not lift another dancer off the floor. We do not dip people without their explicit permission. Note that it is possible to harm someone accidentally and it’s up to each dancer to be aware of how others are reacting to their touch. Someone pulling away or saying “Ow” are as important to notice as being told specifically that you caused harm.
Respect: We respect each other. We believe that each attendee has something valuable to offer. We trust that all attendees will show mutual respect.
Roles: Anyone can dance with anyone. Some folks dance one role for a whole evening; others switch back and forth. We trust that the dancer coming toward us in the contra line is dancing the role they chose.
Unacceptable Behaviors
- Harassment: offensive behavior related to, but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion.
- Unwanted or sexualized touching
- Insisting on partnering or continued asking after the other person has said “no”
- Insisting on flourishes after the other person has indicated they do not want to
- Lifting the other person such that their feet leave the floor
- Dancing while inebriated. Monadnock Folklore Society dances are smoke, drug, and alcohol-free.
- Stalking
- Hitting or other on-purpose physical harm
- Weapons are not permitted at our events. “Weapon” is defined as any firearm or other object that has been designed to inflict bodily harm or physical damage to property. Dance organizers have discretion to interpret this definition, and to ask an attendee to leave or remove the weapon from the property.
- Criminal activity, theft, vandalism
The MFS Board has the right to permanently ban someone from Monadnock Folklore Society events if the Board believes they pose a threat or harm to the community.
Appeal Process
A person who has raised a concern,, or the subject of a concern, may submit a request in writing for a review of any action taken to resolve a concern. The request should include any new information provided by any party that is relevant to the initial concern. If any agreements were made to resolve a concern, the person making the appeal should detail how the agreements have been completed.
The organizers will attempt to resolve all reported concerns but do not promise specific outcomes.
Additional Policies
Photography
Photographers may be present at dances. Consent to be photographed or recorded is assumed. However, any attendee has the right to tell a photographer or dance organizer that they do not wish to be photographed, and their request must be honored.
Change Log
03/03/25 Original version approved by the Board
09/07/25 Added “contra dance experience” to the Inclusion statement.