Code of Ethics

As a member of ROUNDALAB, I am affirming that I am a professional instructor, cuer or teacher of Round Dancing. As such, I subscribe to the declared purposes and objectives of the International Association of Round Dance Teachers, Inc. (ROUNDALAB) and shall be guided by the following:

  • As a professional and a ROUNDALAB Member, I have an obligation to my organization and fellow members to responsibly use copyrighted ROUNDALAB resources, and copyrighted media inherent to our craft. Therefore, I must:
    • Legally purchase my own copyrighted music, videos, printed materials or other copyrighted media and not share these items with others.
    • Maintain the confidentiality of my ROUNDALAB Member access codes (Id/Password) and not share with others.
    • Maintain the integrity of ROUNDALAB copyrighted resources obtained from within a Members Only Section of a ROUNDALAB website or purchased from ROUNDALAB and not share with others.
    • Ensure that I perform music legally in order to protect myself, fellow members, sponsors (i.e. dance clubs, dance associations etc.), premises and our activity.
      • Note: “Share” within this section refers to “making a copy of and giving to” someone for their own personal use or “loaning to” someone to make a copy for their and/or someone else’s personal use.
  • As a professionaland a ROUNDALAB Member, I have an obligation to the dancers, for they are the primary reason for the activity. Therefore, I must:
    • Provide instruction and guidance to assist the dancers in attaining their desired level. I shall not push dancers beyond their own capabilities for my own satisfaction or use my limitations to stifle their growth.
    • Provide leadership to dance organizations to ascertain that the dancers participating in their activities are having their needs fulfilled.
    • Remember that the majority of dancers joined the activity for recreation and sociability. I shall try to provide a healthy, social, educational and recreational balance.
    • Continue my dance education so as to improve my dancing and instructional skills and leadership capability.
  • As a professional and a ROUNDALAB Member, I have an obligation to the activity to maintain its heritage and desirability.  Therefore, I must:
    • Demonstrate, by my example, the proper dance technique, etiquette, behavior and attire at all functions in which I participate as either a dancer or a leader.
    • Educate and encourage all dancers to support the heritage of Round Dancing.
    • Work for and practice the standardization of dance figures and terminology.
    • Remember, while working for growth of new ideas, to keep them within the format of the Round Dance heritage and within the capabilities of the dancers.
    • Encourage participation in all aspects of the activity, both as a separate entity and as a part of the Round and Square Dance movement.
  • As a professional and a ROUNDALAB Member, I have an obligation to my organization and fellow members. Therefore, I will:
    • Think and speak positively of ROUNDALAB, respect and abide by its rules and decisions, and continually promote and work to improve the organization.
    • Always have the highest regard for my fellow Members.  I will treat and speak of them in a professional manner.
    • Willingly help or assist any new and/or established leaders in the Round Dance and/or Square Dance movement upon request.
  • As a professional and a ROUNDALAB Member, I have an obligation to my organization and fellow members. Therefore, I will:
    • Think and speak positively of ROUNDALAB, respect and abide by its rules and decisions, and continually promote and work to improve the organization.
    • Always have the highest regard for my fellow Members.  I will treat and speak of them in a professional manner.
    • Willingly help or assist any new and/or established leaders in the Round Dance and/or Square Dance movement upon request.

ROUNDALAB Dress Guidelines

As a member of ROUNDALAB we are expected to exercise good judgement in our choice of attire. Dress for our activity may vary within the United States, between countries and festival events. Our personal appearance should be considered a way of showing and receiving respect from our dancers and those we come into professional contact with.

As a rule:

  • Our general appearance, when we represent ROUNDALAB, should be neat, and well-groomed whether it be at dances, dance events, ROUNDALAB events, and/or meetings.
  • When participating as a teacher or dancer at any dance function, one’s appearance must be neat and well-groomed, and adhere to the dress requirements established by the event organizer. (When in doubt, contact the event organizer for clarification.)