Code of Conduct

The following is expected of poets who qualify for the Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team (ABQ Slam Team)

• After the Grand Slam, the top 4 finishers will meet within 48 hours to: 1) Sign this contract, 2) Elect a coach, & 3) Decide whether to take on a 5th teammate/alternate.
• • History suggests that the 5th teammate/alternate be the next-place finisher(s) in the Grand Slam, but is ultimately up to the team & coach’s discretion.
• • Consensus is required for all Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team decisions.
• The Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team is the premiere professional-level competitive performance troupe in the Southwest.
• • All members fully commit to their team for that calendar year, and will not represent another slam team or shift allegiances between slam teams, henceforth.
• • Teammates are always free to perform wherever they choose in their personal artistry, however they must represent ABQ Slams in all poetic competitions, must consider themselves ineligible for other slam teams, and must not be bound by any conflicts of interest with other slam teams or their organizational bodies for that calendar year.
• Understand that membership on the Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team is an honor & privilege. Teammates are representatives of ABQ Slams until the next Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team is chosen; and as such, will conduct and hold themselves to a higher standard than if they were solely a poet in the community.  You are the face of ABQ Slams.
• Uphold the rules & spirit of the poetry slam:
• • Follow regulations, produce original & unique work, be a good sport, and always be a supportive community member.
• On-time attendance at all rehearsals as arranged by team and coach; on-time attendance at all team features and fundraising events.
• Personal financial responsibility for Poetry Slam Inc. individual membership dues, travel, food, and lodging (beyond whatever the team and venue are able to fund raise) at any national or regional competitions the team agrees to.  
• • Generally ABQ Slams tries to cover travel and lodging. The coach may verify that you have met your own personal financial responsibilities to ensure you can indeed meet the aforementioned obligations and can travel without assuming or asking for support from your teammates and coach.
• Teams must fund raise a minimum of $600-$1000 to support the following year’s Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team costs of operation.  
• • Poetry Slam Registration Fees; ABQ Slams Website management; Poetry Slam Inc. venue certification dues & fees; honorariums for featured performers; travel, lodging and food for teams & champions; equipment management.
• Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team members & coaches decide who can travel with the team. Consensus is Required.  
• • ABQ Slams will not provide funds for entourage travelers (spouses, partners, friends, family, fans, community members) to Poetry Slam Tournaments. If approved, entourage must pay upfront in-cash their equal share of travel & lodging costs: (1/a)(b) = entourage cost
• • • Equation: 1 divided by # of all travelers, multiplied by total cost of travel & lodging = entourage cost
• • • Example: 1 / 10 travelers = 10% x $1000 travel & lodging = $100 entourage cost
• Assuming ABQ Slams is qualified to compete, attendance at 80% or 4/5 of all Poetry Slam Tournaments & Features of that calendar year.
• Respect and support between teammates, coach, community members, and ABQ venues is our absolute core value. Team members are expected of the following requirements:
• • Conduct themselves professionally at all ABQ Slams events, features, educational workshops, & performances.
• • Communicate candidly with teammates. If there is conflict, team members are expected to work through that conflict as adults to ensure a satisfying resolution.
• Teammates must provide necessary documentation (criminal background checks, fingerprinting, teaching certificates, etc.) for community work in schools; medical, mental health, rehabilitation, & correctional facilities; and with the elderly.      
• Acknowledge ABQ Slams’ zero tolerance for sexual assault, harassment, online harassment, larceny, violence, or threats of violence.
• Failure to meet any of the above can result in being asked to resign, be removed from the team and/or suspended from participating in ABQ Slams events.

The following is expected of people chosen to coach the Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team (ABQ Slam Team)

• Understand that they are a leader & representative of ABQ Slams until the next team is chosen and as such will conduct and hold themselves to a higher standard than if they were solely a poet in the community.
• Coaches of the Albuquerque Poetry Slam Team fully commit to their team for that calendar year, and will neither coach nor represent, competitively or organizationally, another slam team or shift allegiances between slam teams.
• • Coaches are always free to perform wherever they choose in their personal artistry, however they must represent ABQ Slams in all poetic competitions, must declare themselves unavailable to other slam teams, and must not be bound by any conflicts of interest with other slam teams or their organizational bodies for that calendar year.
• On time attendance at all rehearsals as arranged by team and coach.
• Assuming ABQ Slams is qualified to compete, attendance at 100% of all Poetry Slam Tournaments & Features of that calendar year.
• Attendance at all team features and fundraising events.
• Financial responsibility for travel, food, and lodging (beyond whatever the team and venue are able to raise) and any regional competitions the team agrees to.  Generally ABQ Slams tries to cover travel and lodging.
• Respect and support between teammates, coach, community members, and ABQ venues is our absolute core value. Coaches are expected of the following requirements:
• • Conduct themselves professionally at all ABQ Slams events, features, educational workshops, & performances.
• • Communicate candidly with teammates. If there is conflict, coaches are expected to help the team work through that conflict as adults to ensure a satisfying resolution.
• Coaches must provide necessary documentation (criminal background checks, fingerprinting, teaching certificates, etc.) for community work in schools; medical, mental health, rehabilitation, & correctional facilities; and with the elderly.    
• Coaches are responsible for arranging fundraising activities and events, travel, lodging, and assuring that the team is safe when out of town.
• Exemplify & enforce ABQ Slams’ zero tolerance for sexual assault, harassment, online harassment, larceny, violence, or threats of violence.
• Failure to meet any of the above can result in being asked to resign, removed from coaching duties, and/or suspended from participating in ABQ Slams events.

The following is expected of the Slammaster of the Albuquerque Poetry Slam (ABQ Slams)

• Understand that they are a representative of ABQ Slams until they resign or are removed as Slammaster for violations of this contract. and as such will conduct and hold themselves to a higher standard than if they were solely a poet in the community.
• Attend at least one slam a month and arrange for hosts, slam kit and audio equipment for each ABQ Slams show (whether it be a regular monthly show, a yearly championship or a specialty show).
• Attendance at the National Poetry Slam (NPS) Slammaster’s meeting of that calendar year or arrange for a proxy for that meeting.
• Subject to scheduling concerns, attendance at all team features and fundraising events.
• Coordinating and scheduling of the following events:  Monthly Qualifying Slams, Grand Slam, City Championship, Women’s Championship, and the Southwest Shootout (if in ABQ that year).
• • Manage and oversee ABQ Slams hosts & leadership conduct with integrity.
• • Venue management, contract negotiations, & online fundraising are executive duties exclusive to the Slammaster.
• Financial responsibility for travel, food, and lodging at Poetry Slam Tournaments (beyond whatever the team and venue are able to raise) the team agrees too.  Generally ABQ Slams tries to cover travel and lodging.
• Respect and support between teammates, coach, community members, and ABQ venues is our absolute core value. Slammasters are expected of the following requirements:
• • Conduct themselves professionally at all ABQ Slams events, features, educational workshops, & performances.
• • Communicate candidly with coach & slam teammates. If there is conflict, Slammasters are expected to help mediate coaches & teammates through that conflict as adults to ensure a satisfying resolution, and enforce code of conduct action if necessary.
• Slammasters must provide necessary documentation (criminal background checks, fingerprinting, teaching certificates, etc.) for community work in schools; medical, mental health, rehabilitation, & correctional facilities; and with the elderly.    
• Exemplify & enforce ABQ Slams’ zero tolerance for sexual assault, harassment, online harassment, larceny, violence, or threats of violence.
• The Slammasters are responsible for registering the team and/or individual poets for all PSI tournaments.  In addition the Slammaster, in cooperation with the coach, is responsible for arranging fundraising activities and events, travel, lodging, and assuring that the team is safe when out of town.
• Maintain an ABQ Slams bank account and be transparent in sharing what the balance is and where the expenses are going.
• Update or arrange for website hosting, maintenance, and design.
• Failure to meet any of the above can result in being asked to resign as Slammaster and/or suspended from participating in ABQ Slams events.