Ethics for Belly Dancers
Explore Your Own Ethical Framework and Implement It in Your Business
We all come from an ethical framework, with values and beliefs that undergird everything that we do.
You may be able to name a few absolutes from your belief system about the way you interact with others. Most of us have firm rules, personally and culturally about things such as hurting children or animals. It is usually easy to make ethical decisions about these absolutes.
However, in our belly dance businesses, we also face ethical dilemmas.
- Your student is copying the music she purchased and sharing it with her friends. You know the artist who produced it. That artist is trying to make a living too and you think it is wrong to pirate his music.
- You regularly barter with your students believing that it allows for a more open exchange. However, another instructor in your dance community believes that bartering shows preferential treatment and is confronting you about it in public.
- As a troupe director, you feel strongly that you should NOT be friends with your troupe members. However, you see other troupe directors who are good friends with their members and wonder how they make it work.
- You learn that another dancer in your community is saying untrue things about your mentor. Do you step in or remain quiet?
In this workshop, we will:
- learn what type of ethical framework we primarily use for decision making
- explore the concept of dual relationships and how it relates to us in the belly dance field
- learn about boundaries and explore our own personal boundaries in multiple relationships
- identify our own belief system in order to apply it to ethical decision making
- investigate our community's belief systems
- create an ethical plan to use as a roadmap for making business decisions
Your Instructor
I have had 25 years of small business ownership and consulting experience that I will draw upon to help you reach your business goals.
I am the co-owner of the Belly Dance Business Academy (BDBA). In addition to running the BDBA, I am the Owner of Third Eye Dance in MN, Producer of ATS® Homecoming now called Reunion and the former Project Manager for The ATS® Magazine. I have written two books, produced an instructional DVD, lectured and taught dance extensively and run successful dance businesses in two states.
My professional experience prior to dance includes a Master of Theological Studies in Feminist Theology and nonprofit management including serving as the Executive Director of Rape Crisis, Domestic Violence and Women's Centers in TN, OH, NC and MN. My training and experience in counseling allows me to offer insightful and compassionate guidance to you on your journey.