CODE OF CONDUCT PRINCIPLES OF PARTICIPATION

This is a moment for us to come together to reset our nervous systems, reconnect to community, culture and country.

We are encouraging all participants to follow some common practices and protocols while out on country and with community. We’re all here for healing and to build our communities through clear communication and care. We are ensuring that we are a safe space for all. Please be mindful that no drugs or alcohol will be tolerated at any of our programs.

Together, we are committed to:

  • Building and strengthening relationships and connection to country

  • Listening to and learning from each other, by sharing our different ideas, experiences and perspectives, with respect in our heart. We are not one homogenised culture, we are all different and all deserve to be heard for our differences.

  • Creating a safe and inclusive experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion and economic status.

  • Sharing the skills, knowledge and tools from our facilitators, we always remember the importance of remembering those who taught us and acknowledging knowledge systems and protocols.

  • Making the most of being together and having fun! Being chill and being okay with timeless days.

Creating such a space is a group responsibility so we ask you to commit to:

  • Treat each other with respect

  • Leave no trace on country

  • Community care

  • Respect confidentiality when people share confidential or personal information.

  • Embrace intersectionality and equity – there is no place for racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism and ableism.

  • Follow our code of conduct which includes helping make the space accessible and inclusive, and no tolerance of bullying, harassment and unacceptable behaviour.

We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive experience at for everyone, regardless of your gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, economic status, immigration status or refugee status.

We are a majority of Indigenous participants on scholarships, but we do also offer positions to non-Indigenous peoples to come and sit with us, please be mindful of this.

We do not tolerate harassment of participants, staff or volunteers in any form, and any person who violates these rules may be asked to leave .

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to a member of our team.

Please reach out to one of our staff members if you have any questions, concerns or need help.

Here’s how you can help to ensure that this space is inclusive and accessible for everyone:

  • Where appropriate, we encourage you to state your name and pronouns when introducing yourself.

  • When speaking in sessions, please aim to keep your lips visible for those who speech read.

  • Respect and honour a diversity of ideologies and experiences.

  • Respect that your experience may not be the experience of others, hear others’ perspectives and allow yourself to be moved.

  • Embrace new ideas and new ways of moving our shared strategy forward.

  • Please be considerate, respectful and cooperative. This includes following instructions about safety or other matters and taking care not to damage others’ property or Country.

  • During discussions, encourage others the opportunity to join in.

  • Share when relevant and listen when appropriate. If you notice people dominating a discussion, ask for feedback from quieter attendees.

  • Be thankful when you are held accountable and aim to learn from different perspectives.

  • Ask questions and share insights with an open heart.

  • Avoid dismissing the ideas of others, even if they do not align with your personal beliefs.

Please also keep the following in mind to help in creating an accessible space:

  • Cars can drive in and out for those with disabilities or find it difficult to walk, please be mindful to not drive your car in and out during workshop times.

  • Keep an eye on your kids, we will have volunteers but please be considerate of where your children are at all times. Children are the responsibility of careers and parents who bring them to our programs.

  • Share the air – please limit your use of scented products if you can. Fewer fragrances make this space more accessible for participants with asthma, migraines and chemical sensitivities.

  • If you need to smoke, please do so in the designated smoking area.

  • Please do not leave rubbish on the land or your belongings left out.

  • We do not keep left behind items so all items will be taken to op shop after program if left.

Children

As we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive experience for all attendees, this includes parents and attendees with child-caring responsibilities.

Children are an important part of community life and are our future leaders, hence why we encourage the attendance of families, single mothers and youth to our events.

Children can attend for a small fee and we require age and full name prior notice to adjust catering numbers.

We ask that parents/carers take responsibility for their children and be aware of the needs of other participants.

We also ask that all participants are patient with, respectful and considerate of children and their parents/carers.

You are welcome to breastfeed wherever you feel comfortable to do so.

Unacceptable Behaviour

Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning conduct will not be tolerated. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Verbal or written comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or clothing/dress, body size, race, age, religion, sharing sexual images in public spaces

  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following, harassing, photography or recording without consent, sustained disruption of conversation, inappropriate or unwanted physical contact, sexual harassment of any form

  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour

Witnessing or experiencing unacceptable behaviour

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to Steffi Davis. You can reach Steffi on jinjila@thereturning.com.au, or see her in person on site.