Burning Nest Code of Conduct
As with other Burn events, a primary goal of Burning Nest is to be a welcoming home for anyone who wishes to attend.
As anyone who has attended a Burn event knows, these events generally feel safe, inclusive and are places of self-expression and, often, abundant joy!
In order to sustain this space, it’s worth highlighting some common themes that our extended family aspires to, all in line with the eleven principles, of course.
The purpose of this is not to dictate all aspects of behaviour, rather to ensure that the Event Safety Team has a basis for discussion with participants if issues arise over the course of the event, including event planning. (We hope that this is never the case but sometimes situations do arise. Please be sure to read through to the end and understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour as explained below.)
These guidelines have been informed via the Burning Man Org Regional Safety Network.
Encouraged Behaviour
Consent is the 0th Principle at Burning Nest and must inform all interactions with other participants, be it physical or otherwise.
Here are a list of some constructive behaviours that are encouraged and embraced in our community:
- Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of this community whilst helping it to grow.
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions around others.
- Consent should inform all interactions with other participants.
- Show respect and consideration for the diversity of fellow participants by using appropriate language. If you're not sure, just ask!
- Listen to and consider the needs, feelings and opinions of other community members.
- Collaborate to resolve conflict. If a conflict arises between you and/or other participants, consider if you might be able to safely listen to each other and work it out together? If not then it may help to ask a Ranger for support.
- Consider your own safety and that of fellow participants. Ensure activities/performances allow space for free, prior and informed consent of participants and that such activities are approved by the Dangerous Arts Committee.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert Heroes/Rangers if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress or violations of this Code of Conduct.
Unacceptable Behaviour
Striking a balance between radical self-reliance/expression/inclusion and the responsibilities of the event team is a challenge for all Burn events.
The Event Safety Team exists to keep participants safe. We are not qualified or able to either police or pass judgment on disagreements around behaviour between individual community members. Nevertheless, while we encourage the free exploration of personal identity, there are behavioural boundaries that need to be respected.
The following acts are considered unacceptable behaviour and may be grounds for action up to and including eviction from the event. Please bear in mind that it is impossible to foresee or describe every scenario so it may not be exhaustive.
- Violence, or threats of violence, directed towards another person, volunteer, or member of the event team.
- Targeted bullying or discriminatory behaviour.
- Inappropriate photography or recordings. Ask before taking photos or videos of people, especially if in a state of undress. Burning Nest is a safe place for self-expression; the real world is less so, and people may understandably like to keep these worlds separate.
- Inappropriate physical contact - you must have someone’s consent before touching them.
- Imposition of unwelcome sexual attention and behaviour, including:
a) Inappropriate sexualised language that constitutes harassment; inappropriate touching, groping or persistent unwelcomed sexual advances.
b) Inappropriate behaviour in public areas, Nest is a family event and children will be present.
- Deliberate harassment, intimidation, stalking or following.
- Abuse or neglect of Burning Nest or the site owner’s property, physical or otherwise, such as vandalism, theft of property, abusing the ticketing process, or impersonating anyone involved in the organisation and running of Burning Nest.
- Disrespecting the local community surrounding the event, such as by dumping rubbish in local bins, trespassing, or violations of the event’s sound ordinance, which puts the event's existence at risk.
- Wanton, flagrant, or repeated disregard for one’s own safety or well-being in a manner that demands the intervention of other participants, community members, volunteers or outside agencies, such as intervention by security/medical or police.
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour
We are collectively creating a space together. The unacceptable behaviour detailed above is not compatible with that vision. As such, incidents of this nature will be grounds for exclusion from the event.
Anyone asked by Rangers or the event team to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to adhere to that request.
If a participant engages in unacceptable behaviours, the event organisers may take any action they deem appropriate to ensure the safety of the event, site, community and its participants. This action may include for example removing a volunteer from their shift, revoking tickets or evicting a participant from the event without refund.
If a participant’s behaviour is found to be a danger to others or the event itself, an exclusion for the present or following years may be instituted. Depending on the scenario and impact there may be an opportunity to appeal and show progress towards resolution of these issues after the following year’s event.
Over and above that, Burning Nest, the site owner, or individual participants may pursue legal action if a crime has been committed.
What to do if you are Subjected to Unacceptable Behaviour
If you’ve witnessed or experienced unacceptable behaviour then in the spirit of our principles of community, participation and immediacy, we ask that you reach out and share your concerns and experiences with the Event Safety team. The Event Safety team is there to support throughout the event and includes Rangers, Consent Team, Security, Medical and Welfare. Our Event Safety Team has prepared procedures for responding to incidents of unacceptable behaviour. We use these to ensure we record and respond to all reported incidents.
We ask that if you are involved in an incident, please involve the event safety team as soon as you feel able, and before responding if possible. Presumptive actions, conjecture or hostile confrontation risks the safety of yourself and those around you. Our number one priority is to keep you and our community safe.
Please, reach out to our event team, we are here to look after you!