Creating a Safe Space
Two national experts taught performing members of Music City Drum Corps, staff and board members how to hold each other accountable and maintain an environment free from misconduct, harassment and harm at the group’s most recent camp in May.
“When an organization like a drum corps is charged with the education of young people, it must create deliberate opportunities for training,” said Shelba Waldron, one of the presenters. Waldron, who also serves as a Music City Youth in the Arts board member, is Director of Safe Sport Policy and Education at USA Gymnastics. She is nationally recognized for her expertise in community-based youth development, bullying, nonviolence, poverty and disaster readiness.
Assisting Waldron with training was Dan Campbell, a retired law enforcement officer who served as the lead investigator for USA Gymnastics Safe Sport. Campbell investigated complaints within the gymnastics community nationwide. He is currently the Director of Public Safety at St. John’s College.
Shelba Waldron and Dan Campbell discussing performers’ rights with Music City Drum Corps members.
“Safety and wellness require everyone to be on the same page and our goal was to tailor sessions so everyone involved with Music City, from performers to board members understood their individual roles in creating a physically and emotionally safe environment,” Campbell said.
Throughout the camp weekend multiple sessions were offered to performers, staff, student leadership and the board about identifying behaviors of misconduct and how to step in and disrupt a situation before it escalates.
“We focused with the performers on their rights, reporting misconduct, harassment and consent,” Waldron said. “It is important performers understand their role in creating a safe atmosphere when they are alone and with each other.”
The conversation with board members included lessons learned from organizations that have faced failures in addressing sexual and other misconduct.
“It was crucial the board of directors have an in-depth discussion about vulnerabilities that could allow misconduct to slip through the gaps, and the best practices for addressing reports of misconduct,” Campbell said.
This program of systemic training for all stakeholders within Music City will be ongoing, according to MCYA Executive Director Joe Roach. It’s important to understand this dialogue must happen every season and at every camp, he said. It can’t be one and done.
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