The Vanguard Centre Code of Conduct sets out the behaviours we expect from all visitors, participants, members, and staff. We want everyone at Vanguard to be safe and welcome. 

To that end, we do not differentiate between in-person and online behaviour related to our customers and members.

For HEMA or Archery specific rules, please see below:
HEMA Specific Rules and Guidelines
Archery Specific Rules and Guidelines

General rules in the Vanguard Centre

• A call of “HOLD” or “STOP” is a command: if you hear it, stop what you are doing immediately, and return to a safe position.
• Anyone in the Centre can call a hold on the basis of safety. Use this power responsibly.
• Instructors have the final word on any issues arising within the hall.
• All kit must be activity-appropriate, in good order (including being appropriately washed), and safe to use.
• Respect the equipment and the space. Use the equipment and the space only for their intended purposes, and return any borrowed kit to its correct storage place when you are finished with it.
• If you arrive early, please wait quietly in the social area, without interrupting any ongoing instruction or events. 
• Safety is the most important thing. All social and training activities are consent-based, and violation of consent is grounds for ejection from the venue and/or activity without any refund.

Inclusion

• Vanguard welcomes people of diverse gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and age. Discrimination based on these or any other protected characteristics is inherently a nonconsensual behaviour and will result in immediate removal from the venue and/or event, and a possible ban from the Vanguard Centre.
  • If you feel that anyone is targeting you with deliberate discrimination, please inform a member of staff, because we cannot do anything unless we know about it. If it is a member of staff who is discriminatory, please inform a different member of staff or make a complaint through our website.
• Vanguard welcomes people across all gender identities and expressions.
  • All attendees are expected to refer to others using the preferred pronouns for the individual in question, to the best of your knowledge. 
  • If someone does not know that you have preferred pronouns, then please explain kindly to ensure they can refer to you properly.  In the event that they fail to do so following explanation, please contact a member of staff who will intervene in keeping with the “Respect” section below.  
• Sexual harassment, including any unwanted sexual advances or sexual behaviour between attendees, is grounds for immediate removal from the event and/or venue, and a possible ban from the Vanguard Centre.
  • If you feel that anyone is targeting you with harassment, please inform a member of staff, because we cannot do anything unless we know about it. If it is a member of staff who is discriminatory, please inform a different member of staff or make a complaint through our website.
• Vanguard maintains an open door policy for members of other organisations to participate in our events. All attendees are expected to remain cordial and keep debates friendly. The goal is to build and maintain a healthy community, NOT to tear anyone down.

Issue Resolution

• If you have an issue with a fellow attendee or with a Vanguard instructor, please raise the matter with any instructor of your choice.
• If you do not feel comfortable raising issues in person or if you are unable to do so when the issue occurs, please email us or submit a complaint through the contact page on our website. 

Respect

• Vanguard aims to foster a community in which everyone can build skill, pursue study, and create social connections. To that end, “respect” includes accepting and adhering to the boundaries, needs, and chosen names of other individuals as they engage in these activities in or outside of the Vanguard Centre. All attendees are expected to respect others within our venue and in their personal lives beyond it.
• Courtesy is an invaluable tool for building and maintaining safe and inclusive communities. Treat all Vanguard attendees and instructors with courtesy, and facilitate their desired experience within Vanguard to the degree that you are able.
• All students of the Vanguard Centre are encouraged to request any reasonable accommodations they might need in order to be part of this community. Participation within Vanguard includes honouring these requests as far as reasonably possible. In keeping with good faith co-operation and under the Equality Act, please be aware that some requests may be beyond our capacity. In these cases, please work with us to reach an appropriate path forward.
• In keeping with the concept of mutual respect, please arrive for classes in a timely manner, or if lateness cannot be avoided, prepare and join class with as little interruption as possible. 
• Martial arts training involves specific kinds of physical contact between adults. Make sure this contact is kept respectful and consensual at all times. If in doubt regarding a training partner’s boundaries, please talk to them and ask for clarification.