The Writing Barn Anti-Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct
The Writing Barn has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to: stalking, intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, harassing or non-consensual photography or recording, sustained disruption of programs (classes, intensives, any and all events in-person or online), bathroom policing, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome physical attention, in relation to, but not limited to: race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, pregnancy.
If a person engages in harassing behavior, Writing Barn Staff will take prompt action in any form they deem appropriate, including expulsion from The Writing Barn property.
Harassment does not include respectful disagreement or reasonable and respectful critique made in good faith. The Writing Barn continues to welcome and appreciate presentation of controversial ideas, free speech, and creative artistic expression–in-person and online.
Code of Conduct
All participants in Writing Barn events and activities, including faculty, staff, volunteers, and attendees, are required to comply with the following anti-harassment code of conduct. The Writing Barn Anti-Harassment Policy prohibits harassment, including but not limited to the following behaviors:
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following.
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events.
- Inappropriate physical contact.
- Unwelcome sexual attention.
- Abusive verbal comments.
- Quid pro quo – sexual harassment that occurs when one in an authority position requests sex or a sexual relationship in exchange for professional consideration or favors.
Anyone can report harassment. If someone’s behavior has made you uncomfortable, or if you witness the same happening to someone else, you should immediately contact Creative Director/Founder Bethany Hegedus and/or Program Director Claire Campbell to report the incident at info@thewritingbarn.com claire@thewritingbarn.com
If you witness a crime or have an emergency that requires the police, please call 911.
Remember: Keep your hands to yourself. If you would like to take a picture with or of a faculty member or other participant, always ask first and respect that person’s right to say no.
Sanctions
The Writing Barn takes all allegations of harassment seriously. After a report is investigated by The Writing Barn with or without the involvement of outside authorities, sanctions may be enacted.
Sanctions for faculty, speakers, and staff may include any of the following:
- Warning the party involved that the particular behavior is inappropriate and must be ceased.
- Immediate removal from the event.
- Denial of access to Writing Barn spaces and venues on a temporary or permanent basis.
- Withholding of a contracted honorarium.
- Dismissal from position held at the Writing Barn.
Sanctions for attendees and guests can include any of the following:
- Warning the party involved that specified behavior is inappropriate and must be ceased.
- Immediate removal from the event, without refund.
- Denial of access to Writing Barn spaces and venues on a permanent or temporary basis.
Confidentiality
The Writing Barn will make every reasonable effort to conduct all investigations into allegations of harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in a manner that will protect the confidentiality of all parties. Notwithstanding the above, confidentiality is not absolute, and those with a legitimate business reason to know and be informed of the allegations will be so informed. Parties to the complaint should treat the matter under investigation with discretion and respect the reputation of all parties involved.
* The Writing Barn acknowledges the contributions of SCBWI, YALLFest, and AWP for their work in developing codes of conduct and anti-harassment policies.
If you have questions regarding this policy, you may send an email to info@thewritingbarn.com
Payment and Refunds
All Writing Barn classes are nonrefundable and nontransferable to another class. You may transfer your attendance to another writer. For Writing Barn events, payment policies vary by event type. Please review the payment details on each event listing.
Low Enrollment Cancellation Policy
We evaluate class registration numbers a week before a class starts to decide about whether to run it. Classes that do not meet a minimum enrollment may be canceled a minimum of 3 business days prior to the first session; class registrants will receive full refunds if The Writing Barn cancels a class.
If special discounts are offered, they are not guaranteed to apply retroactively to students already registered for the class at the time of the offer. Special Discounts are one off deals that often have a set time limit before expiring.
Online Classroom Policy
ONLINE classes are taught in real time in our virtual Zoom classrooms. This keeps the instruction intimate yet accessible to writers across the country.These classes are not webinars, we encourage students to take notes and participate in real time.
Class recordings will be made available only to those who cannot make the class, including those for whom last-minute tech issues (wifi access, etc.) prevents them from participating. Recordings are available for two weeks following the class date, then deleted. (We do not guarantee recordings for any class and encourage attendees to be in attendance if at all possible.)
Class details and logistics will be sent out a week before class begins. In six-week classes with a workshop component, students should make all efforts to be in class for their workshop date. If an absence occurs, they will receive written feedback but their piece will not be discussed by the group. Workshop classes are not recorded on the ZOOM platform and no one absent will be granted a video recording.
Find online learning instructions here: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/zoomonlinemanual
Writing Barn Film Release
The Writing Barn regularly takes pictures during events and often records interviews with participants. We require that intensive participants sign a Writing Barn Film Release if they’re willing to participate in promotional videos.
Writing Barn Manifesto
