To the Moon Code of Conduct (“Code”)- 2024

 

“To The Moon”, a Burning Man regionally sanctioned event (“Event”), produced by TouchBass, a Tennessee Non-Profit Corporation, relies on attendees and volunteers to create and maintain a space that is welcoming for all participants. We, as an organization,  are committed to an organization, environment and Event that is free of discrimination and harassment based on gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, or religion and we abide by the Burning Man 10 Principles (“Principles”). 

 

Participation in this Event is open to all ticketed attendees, but is a privilege nonetheless. Attending privileges of  the Event and related events sponsored by TouchBass will be revoked if a participant fails to respect other attendees or behaves in ways that endanger themselves, the Event, its leadership, or the broader community as a whole.

 

 Unacceptable behavior is not limited to violence or consent violations, but  also includes ALL behavior detrimental  to: the Event as a whole, the Event itself, affiliated events, TouchBass, its Board of Directors , Team Leads, Event Leads, volunteers and other participants by means of any actions in direct contradiction to and out of alignment with our mission:

 

“To The Moon exists to create a platform allowing its participants to unfold their creative wings and embrace and nurture a community striving to share their passions, unique gifts and talents and come together in celebration to do just that.”

 

​We want to  respect your freedoms within our chosen community and impose on them as little as possible. However, we must balance those freedoms with the need to protect  the attendees of the Event, the volunteers and members of the organization  which is of the utmost priority. The following policies are designed to help us achieve this priority: . 

 

REPORTING PROCEDURE:

 

If you believe you experienced any behavior in violation of this Code please fill out our Incident Report Form to help our Code of Conduct Committee (CoCC) investigate. IF YOU EXPERIENCE A VIOLATION OF THIS CODE DURING THE EVENT AND NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE PLEASE SEEK OUT A RANGER, VOLUNTEER, STAFF MEMBER OR PROCEED TO THE SANCTUARY OR FRONT GATE WELCOME BOOTH.  

 

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: 

• Obtaining someone’s consent in any physical / sexual context is absolutely mandatory

• Obtaining consent for video or photography of a participant,  at the Event is mandatory

• Be considerate and respectful of fellow participants and the community around the Event

• Refrain from non-consensual demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior

• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants’ safety 

• Following all local, state, and federal laws

 

UNACCEPTABLE  BEHAVIOR INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: 

 

• Harassment generally is defined in this policy as unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct, whether in person or through other communication methods such as text, phone call, social media platforms, etc., that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion towards an individual based on or because of any actual or perceived protected characteristic including but not limited to the following:

  • Non-consensual physical contact, including unwelcome physical / emotional or sexual interaction

  • Intimidation, stalking or other predatory behavior such as following a person or intentionally blocking their intended path

  • Verbal or Physical Abuse

  • Uninvited touching of a sexual nature 

  • Spousal abuse

  • Violence against other participants or their property

  • Unwelcome flirtations, leering, whistling, touching, pinching, assault, blocking normal movement

  • Requests for sexual favors or demands for sexual favors in exchange for favorable treatment

  • Obscene or vulgar gestures, posters, or comments

  • Sexual jokes or comments about a person’s body, sexual prowess, or sexual deficiencies

  • Propositions or suggestive or insulting comments of a sexual nature

  • Unwelcome sexually-related comments

  • Conduct or comments consistently targeted at only one gender, even if the content is not sexual 

  • Teasing or other conduct directed toward a person because of the person’s gender

 

• Property Damage​

  • Abuse, damage to, or neglect of To The Moon, land owner’s or other patrons' & volunteers' property

  • Physical or otherwise damage to property, such as vandalism, theft of event property 

• Sabotaging To The Moon, its Event Leads and other TouchBass sponsored events, and the BOD by, including but not limited to:

  • Perpetuating false information about TouchBass’s operating procedure

  • Damaging TouchBass relationships fostered for TouchBass events through manipulative behaviors 

  • Harassing BOD members (and / or their partners / spouses) Team Leads, volunteers or participants for the sole purpose of undermining TouchBass Leadership, its BOD and operating procedure, its events and mission

• Disrespecting the local community around the Event by

• Dumping trash in local dumpsters

• Trespassing

• Repeated violations of the event’s sound ordinance 

• Disregard for one’s own safety (including intentional self harm or intention of) or well-being to such an extent it demands the intervention of other participants, community members, Team and / or Event Leads. volunteers or outside agencies, such as intervention by local law enforcement or fire department staff.

• Repeated or egregious violations of any and all policies put in effect by event organizers.

• Defiance against Rangers or other Safety Team Leads, Event Leads and land owner / land owner liaison handling a potentially dangerous or life threatening situation.

• Breaching Perimeter at any effigy / temple burn or structure burn and / or crossing marked boundaries on the property

• Violating local, state, or federal law 

 

CONSEQUENCES OF UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR: 

 

Anyone who is asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to cease the behavior immediately and comply with a request by: the person who is subject to the behavior, a person who is protecting another person from the behavior or by a representative or volunteer of the Event. In addition to ceasing the behavior, additional action by an authorized representatives of TouchBass including the Rangers, volunteers, BOD members, security or law enforcement may include, but not be limited to, the following:  

 

• Expulsion from the event without refund 

• Revoking tickets 

• Removing a volunteer from their shift 

• Removing a volunteer from a leadership position

• Temporary or permanent bans from TouchBass events

• Suspension for the present or following years may be imposed

• Contacting law enforcement

• Legal action

 

INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURE: 

 

Upon receiving a complaint, the Company will promptly conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the facts and circumstances of any claim of a violation of this policy to ensure due process for all parties. To the extent possible, the Company will endeavor to keep the complainant's concerns confidential. However, complete confidentiality may not be possible in all circumstances. All parties are required to cooperate in all investigations conducted pursuant to this policy. During the investigation, the TouchBass generally will interview the complainant and the accused, conduct further interviews as necessary, and review any relevant documents or other information. Upon completion of the investigation, the TouchBass will determine whether this policy or our Equal Employment Opportunity policy has been violated based upon its reasonable evaluation of the information gathered during the investigation. TouchBass will inform the complainant and the accused of the results of the investigation. TouchBass will take corrective measures against any person who it finds to have engaged in conduct in violation of this policy, if TouchBass determines such measures are necessary, in TouchBass’ sole discretion. This includes individuals engaging in discrimination or harassment as well  as representatives and volunteers of TouchBass who fail to report violations of this policy or knowingly allow prohibited conduct to continue. Individuals who engage in conduct that rises to the level of a violation of law can be held personally liable for such conduct.