Community Standards
Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center provides a safe and welcoming environment for people of all abilities, ages, backgrounds, and identities to learn and work. Our Community Standards are one way that we establish and affirm a culture of respect for the safety, rights, and dignity of every individual at CAFAC.
Everyone who chooses to be involved at CAFAC (including board members, staff, instructors, students, artists, shop users, visitors, and volunteers) agrees to these Community Standards.
CAFAC’s Community Standards are based on two main principles: Safety and Kindness. It’s impossible to make an exhaustive list of everything covered by these two principles, but we all can always ask ourselves: Am I/are we being safe? Am I/are we being kind?
Important Community Standards
Follow all safety instructions and protocols, including those conveyed through training and those written on signs and placards. When all of us model safe practices it becomes a community norm. If you’re unsure of how to do something safely or need a reminder, ask for help.
If you see someone else using a tool or equipment unsafely, let them know in a courteous and helpful manner. It’s also very OK to tell a CAFAC staff member or instructor so that they can address it.
Bullying or threatening behavior is unacceptable. This includes the full range from hurtful teasing to physical intimidation. If it’s mean, it’s not tolerated at CAFAC.
We have zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment in all forms, including verbal, written, and physical. We expect everyone to treat each other with respect in all interactions.
CAFAC is a creative community and we will not all agree on everything all the time. It is OK to express respectful disagreement or thoughtful critique and to engage in challenging conversations.
Violations of Community Standards
CAFAC reserves the right to dismiss anyone in violation of our Community Standards without recompense. In situations that are dangerous, threatening, severe, and/or repeated, dismissal may be immediate and permanent.
Our approach to handling infractions may vary based on the the factors involved, but in general we will follow this process:
When a concern is raised or noticed, members of the CAFAC staff team, including the Executive and Artistic Directors, will be involved immediately to review the situation and determine a solution. We may choose to:
Interview anyone involved in the situation, including witnesses, with respect for individual privacy.
Request written reflection from anyone involved in the situation.
Notify and involve parents/guardians when applicable.
Provide an opportunity, when appropriate, for anyone in violation of our Community Standards to correct their behavior. We recognize that misbehavior may be an indication of another need not being met and will work to address the underlying issues that we can control, while also requiring commitment to our Community Standards.
Monitor those involved to ensure that infractions are not repeated.
Retain any documentation gathered about the infraction and the solution.
CAFAC maintains a list of community resources that we may refer to in cases of sexual assault or sexual violence. Violations with the potential for legal impact, including but not limited to sexual harassment, assault, or other intentional physical harm may warrant the involvement of law enforcement.
As an organization, CAFAC supports restorative justice as a means for community healing. However, we are not staffed with professionals to lead those types of efforts.
Reporting a Violation of Community Standards
We realize that it can be uncomfortable or intimidating to report a violation of the Community Standards. We also know that we can’t monitor everything that is happening at CAFAC at all times, so we rely on our community to speak up if there is a violation. You can talk to your instructor or to a staff member. We promise to listen to your concerns with empathy and respect and to respond quickly and equitably.