Code of Conduct

The League of Extraordinary Albertans Code of Conduct

This code of conduct outlines expectations for participant behaviour at all League of Extraordinary Albertans (LEA) events and initiatives, as well as in the year round Burning Man community that exists beyond these events, including, but not limited to, social media.

The LEA believes all participants, including volunteers, have the capacity to create and maintain a space that is welcoming for all other attendees. We will not discriminate on gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, or religion. We are guided by the 10 Principles of Burning Man. When conflict arises, we use FLAME: Find out, Listen, Analyze, Mediate, Explain.

Participation in LEA events and initiatives is open to any interested party and is a privilege. Continued attendance can be revoked if a participant fails to respect other attendees or behaves in a way that endangers themselves, the event, or the broader community.

Expected behaviour includes, but is not limited to:

  • Consideration and respect: of fellow participants, the land and/or venue, the activity/discussion or post, the local community impacted by the event.
  • Refraining from non-consensual demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing  behaviour.
  • Safety: Being mindful of your surroundings, your boundaries, your fellow participants.
  • Consensual interaction: Consent is permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.
    • Consent must be mutual, affirmative, and given consciously.
    • Consent can be revoked at any time.
    • Consent must be clearly obtained in any sexual context; for video or photography; in situations involving physical contact.
    • Individuals who are intoxicated or altered may be incapable of
      consenting.
    • Silence is not consent. Always ask and wait for an enthusiastic yes.
    • Obtaining consent can depend on the type of activity/event taking place. It may look like maintaining a perimeter using highly visible signs, and/or people actively engaging with participant traffic and onlookers. It can mean restricting the audience, simply by location. Thinking about the possible reach of the activity/event may help to figure out what measures to put in place.
    • Know your boundaries, express and maintain them.

Unacceptable behaviour, actionable by the LEA Conduct Committee includes, but is not limited to:

  • Predatory behaviour, defined as any unwanted and nonconsensual form of the following: intimidation, harassment, stalking, verbal or physical abuse, violence against people or other’s property.
  • Non-consensual physical contact, including unwelcome sexual interaction.
  • Abuse or neglect of LEA or venue property, physical or otherwise, such as vandalism, theft of event property, abusing the ticketing process, or
    impersonating a lead or event organizers.
  • Disrespecting the community surrounding the event such as dumping trash in local dumpsters, trespassing, or repeated violations of the event’s sound ordinance.
  • Wanton, flagrant, or repeated disregard for one’s own safety or well-being in a manner that demands the intervention of other participants, community members, 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.

Consequences of unacceptable behaviour:

  • Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated. This includes expressions of this behaviour at the event as well as pre- or post-event via phone, social media, or face-to-face communication.
  • Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
  • If a participant engages in unacceptable behaviours, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate to ensure the safety of the event and its participants. This action may include expulsion from the event without refund, revoking tickets, or removing a volunteer from their shift.
  • The incident may be reported to the Conduct Committee for investigation.

If a participant’s behaviour is found to be predatory, an expulsion for the present or following years may be instituted. There may be an opportunity to appeal and show progress towards resolution of these issues after the following year’s event.

The LEA or individuals may pursue potential legal action.

What to do if you witness or are subjected to unacceptable behaviour:

If you are subjected to unacceptable behaviour, notice that someone else is being subjected to it, or have any other concerns:

  • First, speak up. Ask the person to stop. Say no.
  • If you feel unsafe, leave the situation.
  • If you feel uncomfortable but the person’s behaviour does not cross a line, step away from the situation.
  • If you need help, ask for it. If someone asks you for help, do your best to help or find someone who can.
  • If at an LEA event, report your concerns on-site and as soon as possible to a Ranger, or event Producer if none available. If you’re at Freezer Burn and cannot find a Ranger, go to First Response and talk to Oracle who will call for an available Ranger. These individuals are prepared to assist participants and listen to your concerns. 
  • If it happens on the LEA social media pages and groups, report your concern on the Conduct Committee incident report form. 
  • If you are unable to report an incident at an event, or decide post-event that you would like to report an incident, use the online Incident Report Form.  
  • If you or a chosen advocate would like to call in law enforcement or request professional medical treatment, the LEA will support you taking that action. 
  • Questions? Email us at leaconduct@gmail.com 

What to expect when you report:

  • When you file a report:
    • The Integrity Counts incident report form system assigns you a unique username and password. Keep your login credentials safe.
    • The Conduct Committee may communicate, within Integrity Counts, with you for additional information by text and/or a meeting to discuss the incident. Look for the “Messages” tab in Integrity Counts.
  • The Conduct Committee will decide if the case is actionable, and performs at-arm’s-length investigations on behalf of LEA Board (The Board)
  • Investigations are not performed on a set timeline.
  • The Conduct Committee will do everything they can to talk to all the parties involved please include as much information as possible, real names are very useful
  • Once an investigation is completed the Conduct Committee will close the case.
    • Closed cases will be:
      • Closed – not enough information (unable to investigate)
      • Closed – resolved no further action needed
      • Closed – recommendation made The Board
  • When a case is “Closed – recommendation made to The Board”
    • The Board will receive an anonymized report with the Conduct Committee’s recommendations.
    • The Board will make their decision and notify the Conduct Committee.
    • The Conduct Committee will then submit the report to the Board including the necessary names to take action.
  • You will be notified the case has been closed, but not necessarily of the outcome for privacy and confidentiality reasons.

Please remember we can only work with the information provided.

The LEA thanks you in advance for your adherence to this code of conduct. Together we can create an event and community that is welcoming and safe for all participants.