Policies

Code of Conduct, Terms of Sales & Safety Policies

Please read each of the Freedom Swing Policies below. Our policies will apply to all attendees. Policies are subject to change.

POLICY PAGE LAST UPDATED ON 10/11/2022.

Code of Conduct Statement

This section outlines our code of conduct for all events, as well as the terms & conditions for our ticket/pass sales. This includes our local workshops and dances. For questions, reach out to us at jl@johnlindo.com. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions page for additional terms and conditions related to use of this website.

This code of conduct describes:

  • How we can share the responsibility to make the weekend fun while also keeping all of us safe.
  • What behaviors are considered okay and what behaviors are not.
  • What options are available for dancers if someone’s behavior is unacceptable or not safe for those around them.
  • What the event will do to support a safe environment for attendees.
  • Be respectful of those around you on the dance floor. If you bump into someone, apologize. If you hurt someone, apologize, and also try to figure out how you can keep it from happening again. This might mean not dancing with them again, or talking to your teacher.

Respect other people’s boundaries. We support everyone’s right to say “no” and/or “stop”. Dancers can do some pretty crazy things, but just because you see someone do something with someone else doesn’t mean they will want to do it with you! This applies to everything from close dance holds to moves like dips, flirty conversations or even just agreeing to dance. If you aren’t sure of someone’s boundaries, or can’t tell from their nonverbal cues, then ask them. If you misjudge, and they ask you to stop (either verbally or nonverbally, such as with a facial expression or a body language cue), then stop. Remember that alcohol and other substances can make it harder to judge boundaries accurately; please be mindful of your limits so that you can be mindful of others.

Ask, and respond, respectfully. People around here usually happily accept an invitation to dance, but it is also okay to say “no.” If you are turned down for a dance, please respect that decision and find someone else to dance with instead. If at any point in a dance you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you can tell your partner that you are uncomfortable, ask for any adjustments you need, or stop the dance before the song ends without explanation. Requests for your own safety and comfort are respectful of your partner as your ally in creating fun for everyone, and are not the same as offering someone unsolicited feedback on their dance skills (which is generally considered rude). If you are often uncomfortable in dances or often the recipient of these kinds of requests for adjustments, you should consider reaching out to a teacher or trusted ally for help.

Please do not engage in any illegal behavior during our event, including, but not limited to, use of recreational drugs, giving alcohol to minors and stealing.

This environment is for everyone regardless of race, age, level of dance, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, disability, physical appearance, religion, or anything else. We do not tolerate harassment or threats of any kind. Any situation that makes another person feel unsafe or uncomfortable to the point of being unable to enjoy the event is unacceptable and can be considered harassment. If you harass or threaten someone, you may be asked to leave.

What to do if you witness or are subjected to unacceptable or harassing behavior
Please watch out for each other and help us to take care of you. If you aren’t sure if someone else is okay, please take a closer look: ask them for a dance to draw them away from the situation, or ask, in a friendly way, if they need help. If you are subjected to harassing behavior, notice that someone else is being subjected to unsafe or unacceptable behavior, or have other concerns along these lines, please contact event staff for help. You can find Security staff on duty at the event registration desk, or at the DJ booth when registration is closed, or you can directly text or call an Event Director. You may also ask the hotel or venue staff to find us. We promise to listen and to treat you with respect and confidentiality.

Consequences of unacceptable behavior
Anyone asked to stop unacceptable or harassing behavior is expected to do so immediately. Actions that compromise the safe and respectful environment of this event are not acceptable from any member of our community: attendees, teachers, judges, performers, volunteers or staff. Depending on the severity, event organizers’ interventions in response to a problem may range from:

  • talking to the offending person and asking them to do or not do something
  • asking them to leave the event and the venue immediately without warning, compensation or refund.

Those conversations or actions may take place in private if that seems appropriate to the situation. If you see additional problems after you or someone else spoke with us initially, we’d like to hear about them too. We want this to be a place everyone can enjoy. We are grateful for your help and commitment to making our shared environment safe for everyone.

Terms and Conditions of Sales

All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for another event year. If you are unable to attend, you may sell your pass to another dancer. A weekend pass may be sold for no more than the price paid. The new attendee must qualify to purchase the ticket. Once the ticket is sold, please email us with the name of the new pass holder at least one day prior to the event to transfer the pass. Transfers after that point will not be accepted. Without proper contact, we are unable to transfer the pass.

Preregistration is required for all awarded passes; otherwise, the pass is voided. Awarded passes cannot be transferred or postponed and can only be used for the event listed.

A full weekend pass is mandatory to compete in ANY of our competitions.

Right To Refuse
JL Productions, Inc. is a privately-owned company that reserves the right to establish and enforce policies that promote a safe environment for everyone. In order to maintain a high standard of service, we reserve the right to refuse attendance to any of our events to anyone for any reason that does not discriminate against any protected class. Attendance may be denied or discontinued to anyone who demonstrates harassment of any form.

Price Gouging
JL Productions, Inc. prohibits the practice of price gouging of any kind. Examples include reselling event passes at a higher price or booking multiple rooms and reselling them for profit. Those caught price gouging will face disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the event.

Safety
JL Productions, Inc. takes a strong stand against misconduct by holding ourselves, our staff, volunteers, attendees, and guests to high anti-harassment standards. We are committed in all areas to providing an environment that is safe and free from harassment based upon an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or any other legally protected characteristics.

We expect all attendees at any of our events to respect one another on and off the dance floor at all times. Harassment in any form, including sexual harassment, will not be tolerated at any event hosted by JL Productions, Inc.

Sexual harassment is behavior characterized by the making of unwelcome and inappropriate sexual remarks or physical advances in a professional or social situation. Examples of harassing behavior include unwanted physical contact, foul language of an offensive sexual nature, sexual propositions, sexual jokes or remarks, obscene gestures, and displays of pornographic or sexually explicit pictures, drawings, or caricatures.

If you feel that you have been harassed on the basis of your sex, race, national origin, ethnic background, or any other legally protected characteristic, please immediately report the matter to the event’s Security team and/or Event Directors. A reporting mechanism is in place to provide a confidential, thorough, and impartial investigation, and any necessary corrective action is prompt, consistent, and proportionate to the severity of the harassment/misconduct.

Media
JL Productions, Inc. has professional video and photography at our events. By attending a JLP event, you agree to allow us to use photos and videos from the event as promotional material on our website, social media, and print. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Event Directors.

HEALTH &SAFETY POLICY

We ask that every attendee monitor and manage their own health and symptoms so as not to compromise the health of others. If you feel unwell prior to attending the event, please stay home.

Our interest is that everyone attending Freedom experience comfort and safety. While we strongly encourage covid vaccinations, we will not be requiring attendees to present proof thereof. The wearing of masks will be optional throughout the event.

We ask that every attendee monitor and manage their own health and health symptoms so as not to compromise the health of others. If you feel unwell prior to attending the event, please stay home. If you develop symptoms at the event we will ask that you take a covid test. If you test positive, you’ll be required to leave the event and your ticket purchase price will be refunded. Refusal to test will result in your being asked to leave the event without a refund.

These policies are being established with the best interests of our dance community in mind. Please know that if circumstances change and the CDC or local health authorities institute policies that are not compatible with the above policies, we may be required to modify these guidelines.

Thank you for helping us keep all our events safe.

John Lindo, Co-Event Director – 201.563.9479
Rob Baen, Co-Director
Sheila Purkey, Co-Director

Please note: All information provide on this website is subject to change without notice.