Code of Ethics

Objectives

Enable dance educators & their students to meet for a cooperative and collective study of their profession; Advance the art of dance & improve the practices of its teachings; Strive for the mutual interest and fraternal cooperation of its members; Aid young dancers & dance teachers by awarding educational dance scholarships to accredited colleges, private schools of dance, educational and/or ODM educational workshops or conventions. 

Standards

Ohio Dance Masters has set certain standards which will develop desirable conduct to promote the dignity, integrity and public image of the dance profession. Ohio Dance Masters and its members recognizes that a higher standard of personal behavior is expected of an educator.

The personal behavior of its members shall not be disorderly, lewd, or indecent. This includes public, physical or verbal action; language commonly considered offensive; or distribution of obscene or libelous written or electronic material.  

Ohio Dance Masters shall not tolerate movement that is sexually offensive; costuming that allows exposure of private body parts or is not age appropriate. The purpose of this standard is not to restrict members, or participant?s rights, but to protect the rights of individuals to pursue a dance education.

ODM Code of Ethics: 

This Code of Ethics shall apply to all members and the term "teacher" and or "educator" as used in this code includes all members of ODM. This code seeks to set standards for members and to provide guidelines for the development of desirable conduct which will promote the dignity, integrity and public image of the dance profession, ODM and its members.The teacher shall create and maintain a professional image. The creation and maintenance of a professional image imposes on the teacher a number of professional and ethical responsibilities, some of which are embodied within this Code of Ethics. An educator's first professional responsibility is to the enhancement of the quality of dance education provided to the students in his/her charge.In furtherance thereof, the educator shall strive to improve his/her techniques for teaching all types of dance, especially as modified or revised in accordance with the progress of dance education by the ODM. Teachers shall make a constant and consistent effort to improve professionally through continual study, knowing that 'Dance is a Living Art".The teacher shares a collective responsibility to work for the good of ODM, to uphold its educational goals and standards, and to abide by and uphold its Charter, Bylaws, Code of Ethics, Standing Rules and other policies. A teacher or group of teachers shall not make unauthorized representations to outside people or other organizations on behalf of ODM.It is the educator's responsibility to maintain relationships with students, assistants and employees on a professional basis. ODM recognizes the trust placed in as well as the unique power of the student-teacher relationship. The teacher-student relationship also shall include the teacher's assistants and employees. The teacher-student relationship involves a power of imbalance. Therefore, the teacher shall not engage in harassment, abusive words or actions.All forms of sexual behavior or harassment with students are unethical, even when students invite or consent to such behavior involvement. Sexual behavior is defined as, but not limited to, all forms of overt and covert seductive speech, gestures, and behavior, such as physical contact of a sexual nature. Harassment is defined, but not limited to, comments, gestures or physical contacts of a sexual nature.
ODM recognizes that a higher standard of personal behavior is expected of an educator because students, assistants and employees perceive the teacher as an example of integrity. The personal behavior of a teacher shall be legal, ethical and moral; and appropriate assistance shall be sought by the teacher for personal problems and conflicts, which may affect the teacher's public image. The teacher's behavior shall always reflect that the teacher is aware that he/she is considered an example to students, assistants and employees.The educator and his or her agents shall extend due respect to his/her colleagues, and be willing to work with them professionally, regardless of age, sex, nationality, ethnic origin, status, religion or political affiliation, qualification or personal differences. The teacher shall not knowingly solicit another teachers students.Any advertising, including but not limited to announcements, public statements and promotional activities, shall not misrepresent professional qualifications, or contain any false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or unfair statements.Fees and financial arrangements should always be disclosed in writing without hesitation or equivocation before the commencement of dance instruction.All fees charged shall be of a standard which upholds the dignity of the dance profession. All fiscal affairs shall be conducted with due regards to recognized business and accounting procedures.