Make a Scene! benefits from a diversity of voices and perspectives. We are dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable, and welcoming space for all participants regardless of background, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical or mental health, physical appearance, body type, race, age, religion, lifestyle, occupation, economic status, or experience level with the understanding that no space can be completely safe for everybody at all times. Therefore, every participant assumes a role of responsibility in upholding these values. We all make an effort to ensure the quality, inclusiveness, and security of our space for all participants without bias or preference. By joining Make a Scene! you accept this responsibility. This Code of Conduct applies to all participants and personnel of Make a Scene! as well as any spaces or activities associated with Make a Scene!, including online spaces and activities. This also includes non-participants in our spaces, hosts, and venue personnel. You enter into this agreement by participating in any Make a Scene! activity in any capacity. Make a Scene! staff are expected to be a positive example of this conduct and are required to intervene in the case of conduct violations. That said, we acknowledge that people belonging to frequently marginalized groups often perform more emotional labor on a daily basis than other groups, and that can be exhausting. We’re here to accept and support all people regardless, and we understand that exhaustion may express itself in a number of ways. Therefore, it’s inequitable to expect people who regularly perform extensive emotional labor to enact the fullest realization of our Code of Conduct at all times. We ask our participants to embrace this understanding as well. We urge you to contact Make a Scene! personnel or submit an online report if you feel that we’ve missed an opportunity to be more inclusive, more welcoming, or safer for any reason; we’re listening.
Values
We believe that our community benefits most by celebrating the full spectrum of perspectives and experiences of our community members. Therefore, it is essential that all participants conduct themselves in a way that reflects our core values. We ask that all participants and interactions at Make a Scene! be guided by the following values:
- Generosity: Celebrate each other’s creativity and vulnerability with gratitude, and share your own as freely as you are able and comfortable doing so. Do your best whatever that is, and give others the benefit of the doubt.
- Curiosity: Explore things that are new to you with enthusiasm and engage deeply with things that go beyond your personal experience. When appropriate, inquire sensitively into perspectives that differ from your own and welcome them into your interactions.
- Compassion: Listen to and empathize with one another on matters large and small. Offer acts of kindness, care, and play to those around you while respecting your own well-being and limitations. Forgive missteps – especially your own.
- Trust: Listen to your intuition regarding your experiences, feelings, needs, and boundaries; believe what others say about their own. Have faith in the ability of all people (you, too!) to make powerful and important contributions in and out of play, even if you don’t understand where they’re coming from right away.
Practical Etiquette
Here is a short list of easy things we can do to make our space better for everybody.
- Make room – for others to join your conversation by bringing an extra chair or leaving an opening.
- Ask first – before jumping in to help or otherwise getting involved.
- Share the air – leave space for others to get a word in.
- Lay off the lingo – jargon can be difficult to understand.
- Get to know each other – treat everyone like your new BFF.
- Apologize – even for small stuff; it doesn’t have to be a big deal.
General Rules
- Consumption of alcohol on site is not permitted except during the party on Saturday evening. If you consume alcohol during the party, you are expected to keep tabs on how much you are drinking and behave responsibly at all times. The party area will include a marked alcohol-free space.
- Though we are unable to ensure that the space will be fragrance and allergen free, we will do our best to minimize fragrances and allergens. We encourage participants to minimize their use of fragrances as well. Participants with severe allergies are encouraged to take appropriate precautions.
- Participants are expected to wear their badges at all times.
- All scheduled event areas are cell-phone silent zones (except for the party). We ask that you silence your phones if at all possible and leave the room if you need to make a call.
- We will be photographing the event. Photography will be handled on an opt-in/opt-out basis. When you register you will be asked to indicate your preference in regards to having your photo taken. Photographs will be sent to all participants for their approval before they are posted online.
- Smoking is only allowed in designated areas, which are outside and a reasonable distance away from any entrances.
- Weapons of any kind are not allowed. Props for scenarios that resemble or represent weapons are permitted, however.
- Other prohibited items: drugs or controlled substances (prescribed medication is ok), pyrotechnics or explosives, and glitter.
Consent at Make a Scene!
Make a Scene! places great value on active and enthusiastic consent, both on the part of the people engaged in the activity and on the part of witnesses. Activities beyond the scope of play within a scenario (within which boundaries will be established on a scenario-by-scenario basis) or casual social interaction require the establishment of clear consent from all participants and witnesses as applicable. Obtaining consent requires asking a direct question while not physically looming. Give the participant plenty of time to contemplate their answer. If the person or people in question decline, the conversation about that suggested activity stops immediately. Silence or the lack of response is considered to be a declination. A participant is never required to provide an explanation for withholding their consent or opting out of any activity. If the initiator engages in that behavior after their suggestion has been declined, without their suggestions having been clearly accepted, or proceeds to pressure the person to consent, these behaviors are considered to be consent violations. Publicly or privately commenting upon, criticizing, or shaming the respondent’s decision are also considered to be consent violations. Consent violations are unwelcome behaviors at Make a Scene!. Active direct verbal communication is always preferred. Consent may have been obtained prior to the convention (such as with established partners). However, do not assume consent. Err on the side of caution and respect. Please note that the Positive Play Committee considers a person incapable of consenting while intoxicated or unconscious.
Photography at Make a Scene!
By participating in Make a Scene! all participants agree to be included in photos taken by Make a Scene! personnel, and for said photos to use used by Make a Scene! for promotional purposes. As a courtesy to our participants, Make a Scene! will provide participants with an opportunity to review and opt-out of any photos of themselves that they don't want to be published. Any photography that circumvents this policy is prohibited unless all participants in the photo have given full consent both to be photographed and for that photo to be published.
Self-Care at Make a Scene!
Make a Scene! is a busy weekend full of novel experiences. We ask that all participants, volunteers, and staff make self-care a priority – people are more important than games, after all! Here are some self-care tips for you to keep in mind.
Out of play…
- Hydrate! Water, juice, coffee, and tea are all available in the kitchen throughout the event.
- Get a snack! Both healthy and sweet snacks are also available in the kitchen throughout the event.
- Get some rest! Social activities are built into the schedule so that you don’t have to choose between hanging out with your new friends and getting the sleep you need.
- Get some space! The sanctuary is a quiet space you can visit at any time if you need to decompress, process, or just chill out. You can also take a walk or visit a nearby park.
- Spruce yourself up! We have a hygiene kit available that you are welcome to use.
- Talk about it! On-site safety team members are present and available to talk, even if it’s just to process or examine an experience.
- Distract yourself with something you enjoy. If you need help getting access to the internet or a device we’ll see what we can do.
- Remember that you’re awesome and that we are seriously thrilled to have you here!
- Most importantly, trust your intuition. If you think you might need something you’re probably right.
In play…
- You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do or simply aren’t feeling up for. We’re all creative people and we will find a way forward if you chose to step out of an activity. The scenario library is available if we need to find an alternative.
- Take breaks. Scenarios that require players to be continuously present will have scheduled breaks.
- Ask your co-players for a break if desired.
- Make use of the player support tools early and often. They aren’t for “just in case” situations – they are for “always” so we can have deeper, more conscientious play experiences together.
- Remember that you are brilliant and beautiful and that you have contributed to great moments that we found in play.
- Once again, trust your intuition. If you think something might not be working for you, you’re probably right.
Interpersonal Conflict Resolution
Despite best intentions, interpersonal conflicts will occasionally arise. Make a Scene! recommends that participants attempt to resolve interpersonal conflicts promptly whenever possible. However, by no means will we insist that a participant undertake an interaction they are not sufficiently comfortable engaging with. Conduct violations should always be reported to event staff or through our online form – with the option to remain anonymous – at the soonest opportunity (see Reporting, below). We are including some practices that participants may find helpful when attempting to resolve a conflict. Additionally, event staff may be able to offer support if desired. While there isn’t a guaranteed formula for resolving interpersonal conflicts, here are some recommendations:
- If you have a lot of feelings to get off your chest, vent with an appropriate and supportive third-party ahead of time.
- Find a quiet space. If you don’t feel safe one-on-one, ask an event staff member to accompany you.
- Whether intentional or not, apologize for crossing boundaries.
- Lead with “I” statements about how something made you feel, rather than accusations.
- Ask questions instead of making early judgements.
- Unless this is recurring behavior, choose to assume misunderstanding or ignorance rather than malice.
- If you are not the injured party, listen and let the injured party express themselves.
- If someone is speaking from lived experiences that don’t apply to you, take them at their word.
- Do not respond to an emotional display with an outburst of your own. Instead, apologize and ask questions if needed.
Unwelcome Behavior
Some behaviors are not welcome at Make a Scene! Any person who cannot separate themselves from hurtful or abusive behavior, or behavior that compromises the safety, comfort, or inclusion of others at Make a Scene! may be subject to a course of action determined by the event personnel, including being asked to leave without refund. Should this behavior continue, the individual may be barred from future participation. Unwelcome behavior includes, but is not limited to:
- Generally, any overt or covert assault, abuse, or mistreatment of another individual, be it verbal, emotional, psychological, social, sexual, or physical.
- Personal attacks or verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical or mental health, physical appearance, body type, race, age, religion, lifestyle, occupation, or economic status.
- Any consent violation, be it active (proceeding after being declined) or passive (proceeding in the absence of being accepted).
- Loud, aggressive, argumentative, or confrontational interactions.
- Body policing, including policing gender expression based on expected social norms. This includes commenting on or restricting any person’s respectful presence in any bathroom.
- Unsanctioned sexual or derogatory language or images in public spaces.
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, or monitoring.
- Bullying or mobbing.
- Rumor-spreading, gossip, or defamation.
- Harassing photography or recording.
- Sustained disruption of activities.
- Non-consensual physical contact or social interactions.
- Unwelcome sexual attention.
- Non-consensual sexual acts, including sex with an intoxicated person.
- Any illegal activity.
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Policy Implementation
Where possible, Make a Scene! is committed to a principle of compassionate redirection, by which we accept a participant’s pledge to adjust their behavior seriously, and attempt to understand and address any misunderstandings or misinformation that may have resulted in the unwelcome behavior. Please understand that nobody within the Make a Scene! organization wishes to see anyone excluded. Attempts at redirection represent our best efforts to include a given participant in our activities.
Incidents At Make a Scene!
Participants asked to stop any unwelcome behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in unwelcome behaviors, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event staff may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. Make a Scene! coordinators, staff, and volunteers are also subject to this Code of Conduct and related procedures. We expect participants to follow these rules at all Make a Scene!-related activities. We think people should follow these rules outside event activities too!
Incidents Outside of Make a Scene!
Concerns may be raised about individuals who may or may not be planning to attend Make a Scene!, but have a history of abusive behavior and/or known incidents that took place outside Make a Scene! that may cause risks to a member’s (or members’) safety, which may contribute to a hostile or non-inclusive climate at the festival, or otherwise include gross violations of our code of conduct. These concerns may be taken into account by Make a Scene! Staff when making disciplinary decisions whether or not a formal report has been filed with Make a Scene! Staff. Make a Scene! considers online behavior to be just as important as offline behavior. Doxing (searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a person online) or outing, online harassment or stalking, or deliberately connecting a pseudonym with a wallet name, or other threatening or abusive online behaviors are all considered violations of our Code of Conduct and will be treated accordingly. These actions need not occur in Make a Scene!-affiliated spaces (such as our social media pages and profiles) in order to be considered. We understand that at times, our members will have disagreements or interpersonal conflicts that do not necessarily escalate to the point of harassment or abuse. Make a Scene! will not arbitrate feuds; we ask that you please leave these conflicts out of the event to the extent that you are able. Should conflicts escalate to the point that they threaten member safety, or otherwise violate our Code of Conduct or policies at the event, the Positive Play Committee may become involved.
Redirection
Event staff are encouraged to begin with the most lenient redirection possible and escalate from there for repeat occurrences, however serious offenses may warrant strict or immediate redirection at the event staff member’s discretion. Possible redirection measures include:
- Verbal redirection from event staff.
- Written redirection from Make a Scene! coordinators.
- Probation during which a participant’s behavior is closely monitored by event staff.
- Temporary suspension from participation in Make a Scene! events and activities.
Removal
A participant may be removed from an Make a Scene! event or activity space by the decision of the event staff for whatever reasons they deem sufficient. Event staff, volunteers, or participants should notify event coordinators as soon as possible should they observe any behavior that may warrant removal. Removals must be accompanied by a formal report at the soonest opportunity. Here are some general guidelines for when a participant should be expelled:
- A third offense resulting in a warning from staff.
- Persistent unwelcome or harassing behavior after attempted redirection.
- A pattern of unwelcome behavior, with or without warnings.
- A single serious offense (e.g., punching or groping someone).
- A single obviously intentional offense (e.g., taking up-skirt photos).
Venue security and local authorities should be contacted when appropriate.
Reporting
Should you be subject to or witness any inappropriate or hurtful behavior please bring it to the attention of event personnel as soon as possible, and/or through our feedback form which gives the option to report anonymously. The On-site safety team will be present and available at all times. Conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. We want you to be happy at Make a Scene!. People like you make Make a Scene! a better place. If you aren’t ready to make a report, the sanctuary space is a quiet area that you may make use of while you decide how you would like to proceed. When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we'll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we'll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won't be asked to confront anyone and we won't tell anyone who you are. Though we cannot follow up with you directly on an anonymous report, we will give the matter a full investigation. Our team will be happy to help you contact venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.
Appeals
Should you disagree with the actions taken by Make a Scene! personnel in regards to your case you may file an appeal. To file an appeal, send an email to makeascenemn@gmail.com with “APPEAL” in the subject line. A committee of third parties will be assembled to review your case and issue decisions or recommendations as appropriate. The review committee will inform you of the timeline for the review process once the committee has been assembled. Any decisions made by the committee are final.
Staff Procedure
In the interest of transparency, here are some of the guidelines staff are expected to follow after a report is made.
Redirection
Any member of event staff can issue a verbal warning to a participant that their behavior violates the Code of Conduct. Warnings should be reported as soon as practical. The report should include:
- Identifying information of the participant
- The time you issued the warning
- The behavior that was in violation
- The approximate time of the behavior (if different than the time of warning)
- The circumstances surrounding the incident
- Your identity
- Other people involved in the incident
- Their response to the redirection
Taking Reports
When taking a report from someone experiencing an unwelcome behavior you should record what they say and reassure them they are being taken seriously, but avoid making specific promises about what actions the organizers will take. Ask for any other information if the reporter has not volunteered it (such as time, place) but do not pressure them to provide it if they are reluctant. Even if the report lacks important details such as the identity of the person taking the harassing actions, it should still be recorded and passed along to the appropriate staff member(s). If the reporter desires it, arrange for an escort by conference staff or a trusted person, contact a friend, and contact local law enforcement. Do not pressure the reporter to take any action they do not wish to take. Respect the reporter's privacy by not sharing unnecessary details with others, especially individuals who were not involved with the situation or non-staff members.
Public Statements
As a general rule, staff should not make any public statements about the behavior of individual people during or after Make a Scene!. Consult with other staff members when possible but act when necessary.
Important Contact Information
- Make a Scene! Coordinators: makeascenemn@gmail.com
- Safety Team On Call: (612) 460-5538
- Emergencies: 911
- Saint Paul Police Department (non-emergency): 651-767-0640
- Sexual Violence Center Crisis Line: 612-871-5111
- Ramsey County Mobile Mental Health Crisis Teams
- Adult Crisis (18 y/o and older): 651-266-7900
- Child Crisis (17 y/o and younger): 651-266-7878
- OnCabs Minneapolis: 651-504-0733
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the following organizations for making their policy available for adaptation!
- WisCon
- Living Games Conference
- Geek Feminism Wiki
- Larp House
This code of conduct was developed by Margo Gray, Katherine Shane, Tayler Stokes, and Peregrin Winkle. Photo courtesy of l.p.lade.