CODE OF CONDUCT
THE PALACE RESIDENCY -
AN ENERGETIC EXPERIENCE IN A COLLECTIVE SPACE
Introduction
Welcome to The Palace Residency, a 13-day immersive experience of learning, creating, and sharing. This Code of Conduct provides the foundation for our interactions and communications, fostering an inclusive, accessible, and safer space for all.
We acknowledge that our residency takes place within a society of unequal power and privilege. Inequalities of race, gender, age, sexuality, and class can intensify challenging moments. While no space can be completely safe, we strive to collectively create the bravest space possible amidst these realities.
Every action affects our entire community. We are each responsible for our individual actions and their impact on the collective. Together, we nurture a culture of care based on reciprocity, respect, and mutual support.
By becoming a Palace Resident, you commit to this Code of Conduct and agree to the protocols established by our Community Care team.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Acknowledging that incidents may occur during the Residency allows us all to be better prepared to address them.
Our protocol for addressing any form of oppression begins by protecting the person(s) who have experienced the aggression.
1. INCLUSION & ANTI-OPPRESSION
The Palace Residency welcomes people of all cultures, genders, ages, abilities, and sexualities. We prioritize marginalized people's safety and do not tolerate any form of oppression or discrimination, including but not limited to racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, fatphobic, ageist, or ableist behaviour; cultural appropriation; sexual harassment; bullying and/or intimidation.
2. GENDER
Don’t assume people’s pronouns. We respect each individual's right to self-determine their gender. If unsure about someone's pronouns, simply ask and use them accordingly.
3. CONSENT
The Palace Residency is a consent-based space. Consent is the act of voluntarily and freely agreeing to do something that another person suggests or asks for. Consent is not limited to intimate physical interactions and also applies when (amongst other things):
Expressing physical affection, from hugs to sex
Recording photography and film
Using or borrowing someone’s belongings
Assigning or accepting labour
Listening and helping
To better practice giving and receiving consent, let’s all remember that consent is:
Freely given (consent cannot be given under coercion or extreme intoxication)
Reversible (someone can always change their mind at any point in an interaction)
Informed (to give consent, a person must know exactly what they’re agreeing to)
Enthusiastic (anything short of a “hell yes” is a “no”)
Specific (e.g., someone might be ok with being in a still photo, but not a video)
aka FRIES—tasty!
When in doubt, ask clearly, listen carefully and communicate clearly.
4. ANTI-HARASSMENT
We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone and will not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. Acts of harassment can include (but are not limited to):
Failure to cease oppressive/exclusive behaviour after being asked to stop
Sexual harassment
Consent violations
Bullying and intimidation
Physical and/or psychological violence
As mentioned above, our protocol for addressing harassment begins by immediately protecting the person(s) who have experienced the aggression and trusting their word. See our protocol below.
5. ALLYSHIP & ACTIVE BYSTANDING
The Palace also invites a culture of allyship & active bystanders.
Practising allyship means “living your life [in a way] that doesn’t reinforce the same oppressive behaviours [and systems] you’re claiming to be against” (Mia McKenzie).
If you witness harassment or oppression, please intervene if safe to do so or report it to the Community Care Team.
Finally, while we ask you to be proactive, if someone doesn’t ask for help, or explicitly tells you that they don’t need help, please respect their will and beware of adopting a rescuer’s attitude.
6. ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE
The Palace Residency does not condone the sale or use of illegal substances. During the residency, we will be serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
While we do not judge each individual’s consumption choices and practices, we ask everyone to assess their limits and take care of both themselves and the collective.
We reserve the right to refuse to serve alcohol to people who have reached what we deem to be a high level of intoxication.
The (over)consumption of alcohol or other substances will not be considered an excuse or explanation for any intolerant behaviours.
7. A NOTE ON POWER & PRIVILEGE
We recognize that societal power dynamics and privilege can significantly impact interpersonal interactions. In addressing concerns or complaints, we take into account the broader context of systemic inequalities which will be considered throughout our complaint process protocol.
If concerns arise between individuals with power imbalance, the Community Care team will thoughtfully examine the nature of the interaction, considering each perspective before determining the appropriate course of action.
Our goal is to foster an environment of mutual understanding, growth, and respect for all participants, while remaining committed to addressing systemic inequalities and creating an inclusive space.
The Community Care and Residents teams are happy to answer questions about this policy. If you have questions about this before arriving at the residency, don’t hesitate to write to residents@thepalacecollective.org.
INCIDENT REPORTING
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Harassment, oppressive behaviour, assault, etc. reduce the value of our spaces for everyone. We want you to be safe. We understand that speaking about the harm we’ve experienced is difficult and often traumatising and strive to honour the courage of those who come forward. As such, we have several avenues for reporting harassment, discrimination, and inappropriate behaviour during the residency:
Find a Community Care team member
Go to Community Care Space
Use the Walkie-Talkie located at the bar to contact the on-call Community Care member
Approach the First Aid Team or any other Palace crew member for assistance
Reach out via email to: residents@thepalacecollective.org
If anonymity is required, Leave a note inside the reporting and feedback postbox inside the Community Care Space
The Community Care Team will be active every day and anyone is welcome to approach a team member for reflection or support at any time.
INCIDENT PROTOCOL
In the event of harassment or other incidents:
For the person who experienced the incident, we:
Take their testimony and recognize it fairly
Separate and, if necessary, protect them from the aggressor
For the aggressor, we:
Take their testimony and remain objective
Explain how and why their behaviour is not acceptable
Depending on the seriousness of the incident, the responses of all involved the aggressor may be asked to leave the site
We will favour mediation processes over legal or judicial procedures. All parties will be listened to and the Community Care team will decide on how to proceed, taking into account all that is stated in this Code of Conduct. The consequences, depending on the circumstances, will range from a transformative mediation process to—in the most extreme circumstances—exclusion from the residency and all future events.
While we always favour a community response, The Palace Collective also reserves the right to request support from the law if deemed necessary.
If you have any further questions, need information, or just have suggestions do not hesitate to contact us at: residents@thepalacecollective.org