Swing Patrol acknowledges and embraces the African American and Black origins of the dances and music we love. We are committed to honouring this history, and the current context, no matter where we are in the world.
This is the Swing Patrol Community Values Statement. It reflects what we believe to be the core elements of respect, belonging and inclusion for our community. The Swing Patrol Community encompasses our teachers, our management, support staff, and the many dancers who attend our classes and events and participate in our shared love of swing dancing. We will continue to listen, grow and learn; our Values Statement reflects this and will also evolve as appropriate. We want to love every step we take in dance and on this journey, and want to ensure the same for every person who walks through our doors. Our mission is to create and share the joy of dance while upholding the values and commitments outlined in this document.
1. Acknowledgement of History
We acknowledge that the core dances we teach, perform and share come from African American and Black culture, as does the jazz music we love. We acknowledge that we do so without lived experience of this culture and are deeply grateful to be able to experience this amazing art form. We endeavour to continue educating ourselves about the historical, political and social context from which jazz and lindy hop grew, and in which it exists today. Understanding this helps us to honour the roots of the dance and music.
This Acknowledgement appears on all of our websites and other communications.
Teacher training, in Australia and the United Kingdom, will reinforce the requirement that all our teaching is done with respect and acknowledgement of the elders of this dance. This includes initial and ongoing training to ensure historical accuracy, knowledge sharing and debriefing within the team, and consultation with Inclusion experts and those with lived experience.
Resources: Melbourne, Australia http://mel.swingpatrol.com/resources/?filter=197
Resources: UK https://www.swingpatrol.co.uk/about/about-swing-dancing/
We recognise the contribution the African diaspora has brought to the world and, for us, introduced us to the joy of Swing Dancing. Part of this acknowledgement involves Swing Patrol making a monthly donation to the Black Lindy Hoppers Fund. [blacklindyhoppersfund.org/]
2. Acknowledgement of Country - Australia
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the skies, seas and lands on which we teach, perform and share dance. Swing Patrol operates on the unceded traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung, Wathaurung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and the people of the Guringai Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
As part of our acknowledgment that we dance on stolen lands, Swing Patrol is committed to Paying The Rent https://paytherent.net.au/
This Acknowledgement appears on our Australian websites and associated Facebook pages.
3. Diversity & Belonging
We welcome all people regardless of race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, employment status, physical appearance, and physical or mental ability.
This is a key component of our Code of Conduct and is included in all Swing Patrol communications.
4. Safe Spaces
We want our community to be a safe and inclusive place for everyone, regardless of where you come from or what language you speak, who you love or what your gender, how you pray or what you wear, your abilities and experiences. We strive for a community that has empathy, kindness and honesty. We have zero tolerance on any inappropriate behaviour. Our Safe Spaces Managers and the whole team continue to review policies and practices to ensure our communities are safe places to dance. Read more about our safety policy in these links below.
Safe Spaces United Kingdom
Code of Conduct and Safe Spaces Procedure
https://www.swingpatrol.co.uk/swing-patrol-london-code-conduct/
https://www.swingpatrol.co.uk/safe-spaces-procedures/
Safe Spaces – Melbourne, Australia
Code of Conduct and Safe Spaces Procedure
https://mel.swingpatrol.com/code-of-conduct/
https://mel.swingpatrol.com/safe-spaces-procedure/
Safe Spaces – Sydney, Australia
Code of Conduct and Safe Spaces Procedure
5. Sustainability
We are currently exploring ways to reduce the carbon footprint of our company and dance community and contribute to the economic, environmental and social sustainability of our organisation more broadly.
Much work is required, but for now we have this statement on our London website:
https://www.swingpatrol.co.uk/environment/
We will also be working with the London Waste and Recycling Board in London to evaluate our practices. https://www.lwarb.gov.uk/
6. General Policies
Swing Patrol has policies covering a range of issues relevant to our classes and events, such as refunds and transfers and protecting the safety of our community.
Please check our websites for general policies:
UK: https://www.swingpatrol.co.uk/policies/
Melbourne, Australia: https://mel.swingpatrol.com/policies/
Sydney, Australia: https://syd.swingpatrol.com/policies/