Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble
Code of Conduct
As a 501c3 non-profit, Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble (FTE) plays a pivotal role in providing arts, culture, and volunteer opportunities in our community. As such, our ability to provide quality theatre productions depends upon the conduct of the organization, its leadership, and its volunteers.
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES
Below is a guide for the conduct of all volunteers of FTE:
● Respect - Due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, and property of fellow volunteers.
● Integrity- Being honest, dependable, and accountable.
● Teamwork - Work together to ensure successful events and productions in a safe environment.
FTE is committed first and foremost to our artists. Whether actors, technicians, crew, or staff, they are the soul of this important effort. We must constantly seek to protect them utilizing the above values.
Toward this same effort, we lay out behaviors we find to be inappropriate and contrary to our very purpose. All volunteers must read, understand, and sign.
CODE OF CONDUCT
In order to create an environment for our artists to thrive we must actively fight against moral wrong-doing. The activities outlined below are strictly prohibited.
● Actual or threatened violence, intimidation, bullying, or harassment (verbal, physical, or online/digital) of any patron or other participant connected to FTE.
● Sexual or gender-based harassment of any kind. This includes:
○ Repeated and unwelcome advances after a clear “No” has been given.
○ Any advances made within a power disparity such as a director and performer.
○ Non-consensual touching.
○ Lewd gestures, jokes, or other suggestive comments made without consent.
○ Malicious or derogatory comments made in reference to a person’s identity, sexuality, or body.
○ Intentional mistreatment or institutional discrimination of an individual due to their identity, sexuality, or body.
● The use of abusive or offensive language toward another or in the proximity of any patron or other participant connected to FTE. This includes language, references, and jokes that could be taken as demeaning to any individual or group because of their identity, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexuality, or body.
● Possession of dangerous, unauthorized, or illegal materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons, illicit drugs, or other similar items on FTE’s property or the property of our venues.
● Conduct that endangers the life, safety, health, or well-being, of any patron or other participant connected to FTE whether through direct action or negligence.
● Gossiping i.e., revealing personal or sensational facts whether true, false, or subject to opinion about another without the person’s consent to release information.
● Dishonesty or deceitfulness shown in someone's character or behavior (to include evident lying, cheating, or stealing).
● Discrimination or the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of age, disability, race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or language.
● Favoritism, preferential treatment, or the practice of nepotism—where decisions are influenced by personal relationships or connections
● Any retaliation taken in response to a critique, criticism, or complaint made against a person which includes intentional mistreatment, institutional discrimination, inappropriate/snide humor made at the expense of the first offender.
● Any conduct, on or beyond FTE property, that could hinder the execution of an FTE production. For example, showing up to a performance drunk or injuring a volunteer resulting in an inability to perform.
● Failure to follow any policy, procedure, or expectation as set by the FTE Board of Directors and/or the director or other leadership of the show. This includes behaving with disrespect toward production leaders or failing to meet commitments.
● Any conduct which hinders the FTE team or team’s mission.
The behaviors and conduct within this document are not all-encompassing. Common sense and duty to fellow volunteers should be used for any situation not detailed above. Any reported behavior determined by the Culture committee to be in violation of the ethics or conduct are prohibited as well.
Any participant who violates this code is subject to discipline, up to and including removal from an existing production, probation or barring from future involvement with FTE, and/or, if necessary, contacting law enforcement. The undersigned understands the above and agrees to not partake in these behaviors.
To make a formal complaint visit https://forms.office.com/r/tDQqq5sG6q or e-mail ethicscommittee@fredtheatre.org
Disclaimer: You may opt to not sign the Code of Ethics, just note that you will be unable to volunteer with FTE. You can support FTE by purchasing a ticket to an upcoming production or by making a donation.
If you are unable to sign the Code of Ethics due to a disability, other means of contractual agreement will be accepted.
Last Updated 1/15/2025