CODE OF CONDUCT
INTRODUCTION
Sappyfest is committed to facilitating a festival environment and workplace in which all attendees, artists, volunteers, vendors, staff and community members are treated with respect and dignity. We prioritize care, safety, and providing a welcoming environment for everyone regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, language, nationality, race, religion, size, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or otherwise. Our core artistic and operational values are rooted in empathy, care, and inclusion and we strive to bring those values forward into all that we do.
This Code of Conduct is intended to lay out our expectations, commitments, and ways to get support which will help everyone participating in Sappyfest play an active role in building safer festival spaces. Sappyfest’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures are revised on an ongoing basis. Please consider this a living document.
If you have questions about this document or anything regarding safety and inclusion, please use the Community Feedback Form (coming soon) or email us at conduct@sappyfest.com.
FOR EVERYONE
Sappyfest expects behaviour that supports the well-being of everyone at the festival. We do not tolerate abusive, discriminatory, aggressive, and harmful behaviour that makes others feel unsafe or uncomfortable. This includes but is not limited to: ableism, ageism, cultural appropriation*, fatphobia, harassment, homophobia, physical or sexual assault, queerphobia, racism, sexism, transphobia, unsolicited touching or attention, and violence. Further examples include: offensive, derogatory, threatening, aggressive, or silencing comments, violence, intimidation, stalking or unwanted following of a person, persistent micro-aggressions in the form of comments, jokes, or otherwise, inappropriate physical contact without consent, unwelcome sexual attention, theft, disorderly conduct, and advocating or encouraging any of the above behaviour.
*Sappyfest requires non-Indigenous attendees to refrain from wearing appropriative Indigenous-inspired headdresses and other attire resembling cultural regalia. Similarly, any outfit that is culturally appropriative, displays hate symbols and perpetuates racism and stereotypes is not permitted.
Relaxing, having spirited fun and making memories are important, but not at the expense of others safety, comfort and well-being. We are survivor-centered and committed to holding those who cause harm accountable. Participating in behaviours outlined in this Code of Conduct is grounds for removal without refund or compensation and may lead to a permanent ban. Second chances may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Sappyfest staff and board and in consultation with survivors wherever possible and appropriate.
If you are removed or banned from Sappyfest as a result of perpetrating harm, you may be directed to educational resources for self-reflection and learning. This does not guarantee or stand as permission to attend Sappyfest in the future.
Please help us by:
Checking how you act while attending Sappyfest events and engaging in Sappyfest digital spaces. Are you acting with care, safety, and consent in mind?
Practicing consent in all that you do, and understanding that consent is not limited to sexual contact.
Practicing being a proactive bystander. If you witness a person acting in a way that appears violent, aggressive or threatening, speak up if it is safe to do so.
Letting our team know if you witness anything or if you are struggling to abide by the Code of Conduct.
Reporting anything that needs to be addressed or could be improved upon.
Visiting the resources section below if you need outreach or want to learn about consent and harm reduction.
Brushing up on the 5 D’s of bystander intervention! Delegate, Direct, Distract, Document, Debrief!
FOR VENUES, PARTNERS, SUBCONTRACTORS, VENDORS, ARTISTS, VOLUNTEERS & STAFF
All of the above applies. Further, we feel it is important to reiterate that Sappyfest is a workplace, and that you have the right to feel safe and included in the workplace, and to enjoy a work environment free of oppression, microaggressions, discrimination, and power-based violence. Sappyfest abides by the Respectful Workplaces in the Arts/ Cultural Human Resources Council’s joint Code of Conduct for the Performing Arts and the New Brunswick Human Rights Act which protects employees from harassment based on colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of origin, age, disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.
As an organization and team, we seek to align ourselves with venues, partners, sub-contractors, vendors, artists, and volunteers that share Sappyfest’s values and belief in creating safer festival spaces. We reserve the right to terminate any performance, partnership, rental arrangement, vendor agreement, volunteer shift or other without payment or other forms of compensation if found to have caused serious harm at Sappyfest or if a pattern of harmful behaviour has been brought to our attention. Second chances may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Sappyfest staff and board and in consultation with survivors wherever possible and appropriate.
Please remember that you represent Sappyfest when you are at the festival, at meetings, and in digital spaces, including Sappyfest’s social media pages.
Please help us by:
Treating others with respect and as your equal.
Considering your position with regards to power dynamics, particularly gender-based power dynamics. Are you making space for everyone to be heard? Who do you find yourself advocating for?
Completing any required training provided by Sappyfest related to the Code of Conduct.
Letting our team know if you witness risk of harm.
Cooperating with any harassment or safety investigations and respect the confidentiality related to the investigation process.
Prioritizing accountability and learning in all discussions related to the Code of Conduct.
GETTING SUPPORT
In the case of a medical or other emergency, please call 911 and if possible, seek out ANY Sappyfest volunteer, staff, or venue team member.
If you need support or would like to report an incident during the 2023 festival, you can:
Visit the Muster tent located at the festival grounds on Bridge Street (hours to be updated closer to the festival).
Flag down a Safety Squad volunteer directly (wearing pink or yellow shirts) or any staff member/volunteer wearing a Sappyfest lanyard. If you do not immediately spot SS volunteers or staff, head to the Door volunteers. They can point you in the right direction.
Contact the Safety Squad team directly by phone (hours to be updated closer to the festival. Number to be posted at venues).
Visit Festival Headquarters (location to be posted closer to the festival). Please note that this location will not be staffed regularly during the festival weekend.
If you do not feel comfortable approaching Sappyfest staff, Board, Safety Squad volunteers, or others please note that crisis support and resources are posted throughout all festival venues and are available at the Bridge Street muster tent and merch tables, and at the doors of satellite venues. Each of these areas are also stocked with ear plugs, naloxone kits and other safety supplies.
To get support after the 2023 festival or in the off-season with things pertaining to the Code of Conduct, you can:
Fill out the Community Feedback Form (coming soon) or contact us at conduct@sappyfest.com (please note that this email and form is monitored by Andrea, Creative Director from approximately late-January to end of August and by the Sappyfest Board-led Safety Committee (2023 members to be updated) during the rest of the year.
DISCLAIMERS & NOTES
By participating in Sappyfest, you agree to adhere to the above.
We are a very small and seasonal team and therefore do not always have the human resources to commit to immediate responses about prior allegations or a person/businesses history.
We will do everything in our power to disrupt, support, and respond to situations however, we do not have the appropriate professional expertise to respond to all conflicts, but will assist you in contacting the right professionals.
All incident reports will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Incident reports can be shared at any time, however, we recommend reporting incidents as soon as possible so appropriate measures can be taken promptly and effectively.
TRAINING
Staff, Board and Volunteers receive annual Bystander Intervention training from various organizations such as Project Soundcheck (via Sexual Violence New Brunswick) and Good Night Out Vancouver, as well as Opioid Poisoning training from the Canadian Red Cross and our local Guardian pharmacy.
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessibility Pass: Ticket-buyers requiring a support person may reserve one free ticket with the purchase of their own. Please contact Julia, Festival Operations Intern, at festivaloperations@sappyfest.com after making your purchase to reserve your free accessibility pass.
Accessible Venues: Sappyfest utilizes multiple indoor and outdoor venues throughout Sackville. We are in the process of updating our venue accessibility information for the 2023 festival. As soon as this information is complete, we will update this page outlining each venue’s wheelchair access, seating, and washroom information. In the interim, reach out to us with any questions or inquiries at festivaloperations@sappyfest.com. We’re also happy to provide you with 2022’s accessibility info, as there will be some overlap in venues and offerings.
Financial Accessibility: Sappyfest is committed to programming several free events each festival including musical performances, artist talks, workshops and art, and there are many opportunities to take in the festival in exchange for volunteer time. We offer discounted Early Bird passes and single day tickets. If cost is a barrier, please keep an eye on our website for free events and volunteer opportunities.
WASHROOMS
Sappyfest utilizes multiple indoor and outdoor venues throughout Sackville all with varied combinations of gender neutral, gendered, single and multi-stall washrooms. We are in the process of updating our washroom information for the 2023 festival. As soon as this information is complete, we will update this page. In the interim, reach out to us with any questions or inquiries at festivaloperations@sappyfest.com. We’re also happy to provide you with 2022’s info, as there will be some overlap in venues and offerings. We encourage all festival venues not operated by Sappyfest to mark their washrooms as gender neutral during Sappyfest.
RESOURCES
Sexual Violence New Brunswick Helpline (506-454-0437) - Provincial support line for survivors of sexual violence
Available, 365 days a year from 5PM-8AM
Service available in English and French
Can connect survivors with resources to meet their specific needs
Counselors offer support for recent as well as past instances of sexual violence
South East Sexual Assault Centre Crisis Line (1-844-853-0811) - Confidential specialized sexual assault violence services
24-hour crisis line
Including crisis and long-term support
One on one support
Information and referrals to other community agencies
Trans Lifeline Canada( 877-330-6366) - Peer support phone service ran by trans people for trans and questioning people
Available 24/7
Services offered in English and Spanish
Confidential phone service offering support and further recommendations to trans or trans questioning people in Canada
Hope for Wellness Helpline (1-855-242-3310) - Mental health crisis support line for Indigenous peoples across Canada
Available 24/7
Phone counselling available in Cree, Ojibwemowin, Inuktitut, French and English
Live chat available in English and French at https://hopeforwellness.ca/home.html
Provides professional who will listen, discuss, give support and resources in a non-judgemental, respectful, culturally-mindful, and trauma-informed approach
CHIMO Helpline (1-800-667-5005) - Provincial mental health crisis support line
Available 24/7, 365 days a year
Live chat hours available 5:00PM - 12:00AM at chimohelpline.ca
Service available in English and French
CHIMO provides support, crisis intervention, referrals and information regarding thoughts of suicide, emotional distress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, etc.
Kids Help Phone / Jeunesse, J’écoute (1-800-668-6868) - National youth mental health support line
Text ‘Connect’ to 686868 for free, 24/7 mental health support
Available 24/7, 365 days a year
Service available in English and French
Serving youth from 5-20 years of age
Support line for thoughts of suicide, depression, loneliness, anxiety, emotional distress, and more
Talk Suicide Canada (1-833-456-4566) - National mental health crisis support line
Available toll free, 24/7, 365 days a year
Text 45645 for live text services from 4:00PM to 12:00AM ET
Crisis support line for individuals with suicidal thoughts and distress
Looking Out For Each Other (1-833-MMI-FIND) - Support line and group for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Families in Need of Direction
Call 1-833-664-3463, 24/7 for a support, information, and referral line
Organization dedicated to aiding the family and community of a missing Indigenous woman through providing support and resources
Visit https://nbapc.org/programs-and-services/lofeo/ for more resources and information
Pregnancy and Wellness Center of Moncton (506-857-3033) - Sexual health and pregnancy clinic and resources
27 John Street, Moncton, New Brunswick
STI testing and treatment appointments can be booked Monday to Thursday, 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Free pregnancy tests are provided
Free services in support of sexual health, pregnancy and more are offered in a safe environment regardless of age, gender, orientation, race, income, religious affiliation, or circumstance
Visit https://www.monctonwellness.ca/pregnant.php for more information
Harm Reduction RESOURCES
Ensemble Moncton (506-859-9616) - Organization dedicated to the education of reduced harm, sexual health, and more
80 Weldon Street, Moncton, New Brunswick
Overdose prevention site
Support and education on harm reduction
Sexual health information and resources
Visit www.ensemblegm.ca to see a list of their resources and online-accessible education
Alcoholics Anonymous
Sackville Serenity Group
Sackville United Church, 110 Main Street, Sackville, NB
Saturdays at 12:00PM
Harm Reduction Vending Machine - Sackville United Church (110 Main Street)
Naloxone kits, sterile supplies for safe drug use, condoms, lube, tampons, sanitary napkins, hand sanitizer & face masks available free of charge
Available 24/7 for anonymous, no-contact service