Actors Helping Actors General Policy -
The Actors Helping Actors organization does not discriminate in any way. We are inclusive of all regardless of racial, religious, ethnic, physical or developmental challenge, or sexual orientation. Our purpose is to serve actors and writers, therefore it is Actors Helping Actors policy to allow event postings, meetings, discussions, comments and email communications that directly relate to the craft and business of acting and writing. This may include fields directly related to acting and writing such as the fields of directing and producing. A posting of, or an invitation to a class, workshop or seminar (regardless of whether or not it is for profit) does not constitute an endorsement by Actors Helping Actors. Actors Helping Actors offers free services that may accept donations for operating costs. Any class, workshop or seminar produced for profit must first obtain approval by the meetup organizer. It is Actors Helping Actors policy not to promote by posting or email invitation any event hosted by a religious or political organization.

Actors Helping Actors has an open book policy. Any member can access the “Meetup Stats” to see how the group is faring. To view Actors Helping Actors Meetup stats, click the “More” pull-down menu and choose “Stats”. Any member can request to see the financial books. To see the financial books and supporting receipts, contact your organizer and arrangements will be made to show you the books within a reasonable amount of time.


Actors Helping Actors Professionalism and Sexual Harassment Policy–
Actors working with actors need a safe environment to open themselves up, be emotionally truthful and vulnerable. Actors Helping Actors insists upon professionalism always. When we do our scene work we adhere to accepted set (working condition) etiquette. This means:

Be on time to workshops. If you are going to be late or think you might be late, let the workshop leader know.

No hitting, slapping, punching or spitting. We don’t have a stunt coordinator. Whacking your scene partner on the knee with the soft end of your script or two fingered light poking at the shoulder or torso is allowed with permission from your scene partner.

No tongues during simulated passionate kissing and no simulated physical sexual contact with breasts or the waist to upper thigh area without explicit permission form your scene partner. Actors Helping Actors workshops do not allow nudity at any level.

As a working group Actors Helping Actors has a zero tolerance for sexual harassment. Outside of scene-work (actual acting) these sexual harassment policies are in affect. Actors Helping Actors is a workplace and club utilizing an all volunteer labor force.

Actors Helping Actors Sexual Harassment Policy –
Flirting is not sexual harassment
Hugging is not sexual harassment
Joking around is not sexual harassment
Dating is not sexual harassment
Leering is not sexual harassment
Asking for a date is not sexual harassment
Propositioning sex is not sexual harassment
Backrubs are not sexual harassment
Prolonged eye contact is not sexual harassment
UNLESS- an individual tells the other individual that the behavior is an unwanted & unwelcome sexual advancement, tells the other individual to ‘stop’ and the behavior continues!! It is irrelevant if the accused does not agree that harassment has or is taking place. The accuser only has to “feel” harassed and tell the accused to ‘stop’. If the accused continues the behavior or the advancement or retaliates against the accuser, then the accused is placing them selves in a position of liability. It is only Sexual Harassment if the accused continues the behavior or the advancement or retaliates against the accuser after they have been told to ‘stop’.

Other forms of sexual harassment -
Quid pro quo – “This for that”; Workplace or political favors granted in exchange for sex. Retaliation; punishment or the denial of workplace or political favors for refusing to provide sex

Sexual Favoritism – The advancement of, or workplace or political favors given to, another member (to the exclusion of the first member) because that other member is having sex with a leader or other person in power. Example- Susie is promoted to Assistant Organizer, even though Manwell is just as qualified, because Susie is the girlfriend of Joe the Organizer.

Sexual Hostile Environment –
This one gets tricky. Sexual Hostile Environment can come into play when an individual feels “uncomfortable” with the overall sexual tone of the group. It may also come into play when, example; Joe flirts with the woman Steven has been dating and it make Steven “uncomfortable” or Mary starts dating Mark after her breakup with Tony and this makes Tony “uncomfortable”.

When dealing with Sexual Favoritism, Sexual Hostile Environment or Unwanted Advancements it is the obligation of the person “feeling” sexually harassed to tell the other party(s) that the behavior is unwanted & unwelcome and tell the other individual(s) to ‘stop’.

Quid pro quo is ALWAYS sexual harassment and puts the harasser immediately in a position of liability.

Leveling a charge or accusation of sexual harassment against someone who has already asked you to ‘stop’ a behavior that makes them uncomfortable, is an act of retaliation and places the retaliator in a position of liability.

Leveling a charge or accusation of sexual harassment against someone who has asked your buddy to ‘stop’ a behavior that makes them uncomfortable, is an act of retaliation and places the retaliator in a position of liability. Example; Susie breaks up with Organizer Joe and asks him to stop calling her at midnight trying to seduce her. Susie tells Joe that his advancements are unwelcome and unwanted. Joe gets his buddy Mark to accuse Susie of promoting a sexual hostile environment because her pants are too tight, she hugs everyone and it makes Mark “uncomfortable”. Mark has just placed himself in a position of liability.

A leader retaliating against a member because the member has accused another leader of sexual harassment puts both leaders in a position of liability.

Everything written in these policies is established civil law and applies whether we post them or not. There is nothing new here. Actors Helping Actors is a workplace.

If you are experiencing sexual harassment immediately report the incident(s) complete with dates and circumstances to the Organizer(s) so that the leadership can take disciplinary action. The Organizer(s) can only take action if they are informed.

Liability, Hold Harmless Matters –
While Actors Helping Actors is a workplace and club utilizing an all volunteer force, we have no provision and no resources to provide for members should they be harmed by accident or sustain an injury while participating with us. It shall be understood and posted on the meetup that every group member is participating in Actors Helping Actors workshops, classes and all activities at their own risk. We are happy to share our resources, company and equipment, but accept no liability should an individual be harmed in the process of their participation within Actors Helping Actors. All participants agree to hold harmless Actors Helping Actors or it’s owners or organizer(s) when they participate along with Actors Helping Actors at a workshop or other event. Notification and participation equals member agreement to hold harmless Actors Helping Actors or it’s owners or organizer(s). We do not carry insurance of any kind. If you work with us you understand this and participate at your own risk.