The BDT Code of Ethics

The Belly Dance Trainer Code of Ethics exists to create written standards designed to deter wrong-doing and promote honest and ethical conduct, professionalism and respect for the Middle Eastern dance as an artform.

We recognize the importance of codifying and making known to the profession and general public the ethical principles that guide our work as Middle Eastern Dance professionals and Belly Dance Trainers.

The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.

Our Values

Colleagues: Instructors shall treat dance colleagues with professionalism and refrain from public defamation.

Practice Limits: Instructors shall teach Middle Eastern dance within the limits of their training and competence.

Promotion: Instructors shall always be honest about the nature of their dance education when referring to it to the general public, the media, or their clients.

Legal Responsibility: Instructors shall credit sources for choreography, music, photography, and intellectual property when possible. Instructors will not take credit for property that they did not create. Further, instructors shall not use, teach, or distribute property which does not belong to them without written permission from the owner.

Client Welfare: Instructors shall guard the individual rights and personal dignity of each student. Instructors shall not engage in discriminatory practices in regard to age, weight, religion, disability, race, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Client Privacy: Instructors agree to respect the privacy of fellow students and professionals and responsibly use personal information gained from that relationship.

Professionalism: Instructors shall make every attempt to be aware of acceptable workplace standards, including pay and shall not lower the standards nor engage in workplace practices that degrade the respect for the art form, degrade working conditions or pay.

Quality Control: Instructors are obligated to report violations of the Code of Ethics by fellow members to Taaj, the Belly Dance Trainer (sm). Taaj shall review any reported incidents and shall determine whether the offense rises to the level of a violation.

Infractions
Consequences for infractions will depend on the severity of the infraction. Consequences can include a warning, suspension, or removal of certification. Decisions are made solely by Taaj, the Belly Dance Trainer (sm) and do not require “proof”. If a preponderance of the evidence strongly suggests that an infraction has occurred, that’s all the evidence that is required. Decisions are final. There is no appeal. Reinstatement decisions will be made on a case by case basis.