Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
Last updated: May 1, 2026
Studio Norae (a DBA of Norae Ceramics LLC) · Kaneohe, Hawaii
Studio Norae is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants in our programs, workshops, classes, mentoring sessions, and online spaces. This work asks something real of everyone in the room — facilitator and participant alike. This Code of Conduct is the foundation that makes that possible.
By participating in any Studio Norae offering, you agree to uphold the following standards.
1. Respectful Behavior
Participants are expected to:
- Treat others with kindness, dignity, and respect
- Honor differences in identity, background, culture, and experience
- Listen without interruption, judgment, or unsolicited advice
- Maintain appropriate personal boundaries with other participants and the facilitator
- Communicate with care and honesty
Harassment, discrimination, or aggressive behavior of any kind — verbal, physical, or digital — will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to behavior based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or body size.
2. Emotional Safety & Group Agreements
Studio Norae programs work with emotionally sensitive material. The safety of the group depends on every participant honoring the following:
- Confidentiality — what is shared within a Studio Norae group stays within that group. You agree not to disclose other participants' personal information, stories, or disclosures outside the program under any circumstances.
- Witnessing without fixing — when others share, your role is to listen and witness. Advice-giving, interpretation, or attempts to fix another participant's experience are not appropriate in this space.
- Pacing yourself — you are never required to share, disclose, or go further than feels right for you. Respecting your own pace and the pace of others is part of holding the container.
- Gentleness with the unknown — you do not know what others are carrying. Be gentle with language, reactions, and responses in group spaces.
- Presence — arrive on time and prepared to be present. Arriving late or leaving early disrupts the container for everyone. If you need to arrive late or leave early please communicate with Lauren in advance.
3. Personal Responsibility
Participants agree to:
- Take responsibility for their own physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing during and after participation
- Participate at a level appropriate for their body and capacity — modifying or stopping any activity as needed
- Disclose any physical conditions, injuries, or mental health considerations relevant to participation before the program begins
- Have adequate support in place outside the program — a therapist, trusted person, or clinical contact — particularly for emotionally oriented programs
- Refrain from pressuring others to share, participate, or engage in any activity
4. Scope of the Space
Studio Norae programs are somatic and expressive arts experiences. They are not therapy. Participants agree to:
- Not seek or expect clinical mental health treatment, diagnosis, or crisis intervention within Studio Norae programs
- Communicate directly with Lauren if something arises that feels beyond the scope of the program
- Seek appropriate clinical support for material that requires more than this container can hold
If you are in acute mental health crisis before or during a program, please contact a mental health professional or call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) before attending.
5. Substance Use
Participants may not attend sessions or events while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in a way that affects their safety, judgment, or the experience of others. Arrival in an impaired state is grounds for removal from the session without refund.
6. Facilitator Authority
Studio Norae and Lauren Shin reserve the right to:
- Refuse service to any individual at any time
- Remove a participant from a session, program, or event
- End a mentoring or program relationship
If behavior is disruptive, unsafe, harmful to others, or in violation of this Code of Conduct. In cases of removal due to misconduct, no refund will be issued. This decision rests solely with Lauren Shin and will be communicated directly and respectfully.
7. Online & Virtual Conduct
For any online or virtual offerings, participants agree to:
- Use respectful language in all written and verbal communication
- Not record sessions in any format without explicit written permission
- Protect the privacy of other participants — do not share names, images, or identifying information
- Not share private session links, recordings, or materials without consent
- Be present and engaged — not multitasking or in a disruptive environment during live sessions
8. Photography & Recording
In in-person settings, participants may not photograph or record other participants without their explicit consent. Lauren may occasionally photograph the studio space or clay pieces for marketing purposes — participants will never be photographed without separate explicit consent.
9. Reporting Concerns
If you experience or witness behavior that violates this Code of Conduct, please contact lauren@studionorae.com. All concerns will be taken seriously, handled with care and confidentiality, and addressed promptly.
Participants who report concerns in good faith will not face any negative consequences for doing so.