GVIAS

Code of Conduct

Preamble

Greater Vancouver Interactive Arts Society (GVIAS) expects attendees and volunteers to create and maintain a space that is welcoming for all attendees. We do not discriminate based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, race, colour, socioeconomic status, age, marital and/or family status, or religion.

We are guided by the 10 Principles of Burning Man.

Our community aims to provide a respectful space for all participants, within which consent plays a critical part. GVIAS events can be overwhelming environments, and we want to ensure that we co-create a safer space for radical self-expression while protecting against discrimination, harassment, bullying, and assault. Many diverse participants are present in our community, and where one person’s self-expression and another’s boundaries come in contact, all parties are responsible for navigating the interaction. If a person does not feel comfortable, they can leave the situation, ask for a Ranger, or seek other assistance. If desired, a report can subsequently be made to the Conduct Committee.

Consent and Boundaries

Know your personal boundaries, and be comfortable expressing them. Always ask about and respect the boundaries of others, even if you already know that person. Respect the moment and know that comfort levels differ at different times with different people.

Consent is an agreement between two or more people to engage or not engage in specific activities together. Consent occurs when people willingly agree to the proposal or desires of the other. Under Canadian Law, only a clear and coherent “YES” means YES. Anything less is not consent. Rather than risk confusion, create a space where a “NO” can be heard and respected, whatever form it may take. Do not plead, coerce, or emotionally manipulate the situation to get a “YES”. If non-consensual behaviour occurs or persists, it may be cause for eviction from the event.

Communicate actively and often. Consent to one activity does not imply consent to other future activities. Remember that consent is an ongoing process and revocable at any time.

Be mindful of intoxicants. Remember, persons who are under the influence of intoxicants may not be able to legally consent to physical or sexual contact. If a person appears intoxicated, assume they are unable to consent and do not proceed. Check in with people regarding their level of intoxication, and yours as well.

Community Values and Conduct

GVIAS and GVIAS events have been co-created by participants like yourself. Participation in GVIAS events is open to all ticketed attendees, though participation is a privilege. Continued and/or future attendance can be revoked if a participant fails to respect other attendees, or behaves in a way that endangers themselves, other participants, GVIAS event(s), our hosts, or the broader community.

We ask that while you attend GVIAS events, you follow three simple guidelines:

• Respect Yourself

The environment and your experiences at GVIAS events may push you in different ways. Occasionally you may feel uncomfortable, or out of sorts. We trust that only you can fully understand what your comfort levels and personal boundaries are. Please be conscious of your well-being and aware of your own needs. Practice self-care. Remember that we value self-reliance in our community. Please know that you can reach out to others for support if you need it.

• Respect One Another

As a participant, please be aware of your behaviour, your choices, and ways that they impact other members of the community. Keep consent and personal autonomy at the forefront of all of your interactions. Refrain from non-consensual, discriminatory, bullying, or harassing behaviours. Check in, with yourself and others.

• Respect Our Hosts

There are very few places that allow us to do what we do. It is a privilege to use the spaces we use and we need to take care of them. As guests, please treat our hosts, sites, venues, and neighbouring communities with care and respect; our actions will guide future use of, and relationships with, our event venues, their staff and community members.

Behaviours & Potential Consequences

Behaviour contrary to the above is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at GVIAS events, or via pre- or post-event communications with GVIAS members, event participants, event organizers and volunteers. If something does not seem right, you are empowered to speak up or report the situation. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to do so immediately.

If a participant’s behaviour does not comply with this Code of Conduct or puts the future of any GVIAS event(s) at risk, GVIAS may take any action they deem appropriate to ensure the safety of the event and its participants. Actions may include:

• investigation by the Conduct Committee;

• revoking tickets;

• removing a volunteer from their shift;

• barring the participant from volunteering in some or all roles with GVIAS and GVIAS events;

• restorative and/or transformative justice practices;

• expulsion from the event without refund; and/or

• suspension from future attendance at GVIAS events.

This Code of Conduct has been co-created within our community. We have endeavoured to create a healthy and respectful environment for all participants, and we welcome you in sharing it with us. Together we can create events and a community that is welcoming for all participants.

We thank you in advance for your adherence to this Code of Conduct.

**Thank you to the Great Lakes Experimental Arts, Inc. (G.L.E.A.) and Freezer Burn for their permission to adapt the Lakes of Fire Code of Conduct, and to the Toronto Burning Man community and Firefly Arts Collective for their permission to adapt their conduct materials.

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