Community Standards, Our Agreement at BATS Improv

This document lists standards that BATS is adopting to support the following efforts:

• Our ongoing work to become anti-racist and anti-oppression
• The creation of an environment where racism, prejudice and discrimination towards black and brown artists is not tolerated
• Our recognition of the intersectional impact of harm upon female, LGBTQ+ and disabled community members. 

By participating in an activity at BATS, whether as staff, employee, company member, coach, board member, guest artist, student or audience member, you signal your willingness to comply with these community agreements. 

These standards should be applied in all interactions whether by email, in person, on stage or in class. We commit to holding ourselves and each other accountable to these standards. 

BATS leadership (including the Managing Director, Artistic Director, and Chair of the Board) will commit to hiring external expertise to put a zero tolerance protocol in place to remediate harmful behavior and hold the community accountable to these standards.  These remediations could range from further learning, apology, participation in a restorative justice process, through to termination.

We agree to:

PRACTICE SELF-AWARENESS AND SELF-REFLECTION 

+ react with curiosity instead of defensiveness

+ be open to feedback about my impact on others

+ think about impact (not just intent) before speaking/writing

+ keep an open mind / learner mindset + practice humility 

+ center critical thinking and meaningful dialogue 

+ take ownership and a path of correction 

GIVE SPACE and MAKE SPACE

+ make space for a diversity of voices, perspectives, & ways of showing up to share

+ signal when you have something to say instead of jumping in; wait your turn and follow established protocols for the space you are participating in

+ adopt a coach/learner mindset when giving and receiving feedback  

+ listen for the purpose of understanding

+ offer longer wait & processing times

RESPECT BOUNDARIES

+ use pronouns when introducing yourself

+ commit to using the correct pronouns of others

+ be willing to let someone decide if and when to share

+ hold people accountable and invite others to hold us accountable in a respectful way 

+ learn & respect cultural differences, needs, expectations and commit to building cultural competency

+ use positions of power to be in service to the community

+ Implement and adhere to checks & balances of power and accountability

CHANGE RELATIONSHIP TO DISCOMFORT / ACCOUNTABILITY

+ normalize calling in, being upstanders, allies, and using leveraging privilege to intercept harm

+ when called in, process your feelings of hurt or discomfort away from the person affected by your behavior (or the one giving the feedback, etc.)

+ be willing to learn/grow – admit mistakes, apologize and identify and take corrective action

+ be willing to hear & believe impact of your actions regardless of your intention

+ what is learned is shared, what is said & by whom remains confidential

+ navigate the different aspect of how you show up when you are a participant, contributor or leader in different spaces and times 

+ ask for help when needed  

Version 3/31/2021