ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR TEAM

As The Descent Dungeon events grow, so does the need for clear structure, shared responsibility, and operational consistency.

These roles are not symbolic. They are functional positions that support safety, consent, accountability, and flow of the space.

Below is a detailed breakdown of how each role operates within an event.

FACILITATORS

Container Holders & Final Decision-Makers

Facilitators are responsible for the overall operation of the event from open to close. They hold the full picture.

Core Responsibilities

  • Lead pre-event briefing with all staff (roles, risks, expectations, communication flow)
  • Oversee door operations:
    • Check-in flow
    • Wristband distribution (consent-trained vs non-trained)
    • Capacity tracking
  • Open the space:
    • Welcome speech / tone setting
    • Communicate rules, consent expectations, and structure of the night
  • Maintain situational awareness across all rooms
  • Support Dungeon Monitors in complex or escalated situations
  • Make real-time decisions when:
    • Consent is unclear
    • A situation requires removal, pause, or intervention
    • Policy needs interpretation
  • Coordinate with venue (if applicable)

Authority & Decision Scope

  • Final say on:
    • Removing participants
    • Stopping scenes
    • Interpreting policy in ambiguous situations
  • Can override any role if safety or consent requires it

Operational Notes

  • Typically 1–2 Facilitators per event
  • Not expected to monitor every scene, but expected to see the system as a whole

DUNGEON MONITORS

Consent & Safety Enforcement in Play Spaces

Dungeon Monitors are responsible for active oversight of play areas. They are visible, present, and empowered to act.

Core Responsibilities

  • Actively observe scenes for:
    • Consent clarity
    • Physical safety
    • Emotional distress signals
  • Approve or deny:
    • High-risk activities and edge play
  • Intervene when:
    • Safewords are ignored
    • Consent appears withdrawn or unclear
    • Risk exceeds agreed boundaries
  • Pause or stop scenes if needed
  • Escalate to Facilitators when:
    • Patterned behaviour emerges
    • Removal or formal action may be required

Authority & Decision Scope

  • Can pause or stop any scene immediately
  • Can deny play that does not meet safety or consent standards, or if staffing capacity is unable to support proposed activity
  • Do not issue bans or removals independently (Co-decision with Facilitators)

Operational Notes

  • Positioned inside dungeon/play spaces
  • Should be visible and approachable
  • Expected ratio depends on event size & anticipated attendance

SUPPORT STEWARDS

Care, Grounding & First-Point Support

Support Stewards hold the human layer of the space.

They are not enforcement. They are access, reassurance, and connection.

Core Responsibilities

  • Act as first point of contact for:
    • Questions
    • Discomfort
    • Uncertainty about norms or rules
  • Provide emotional support and grounding
  • Help participants:
    • Find Dungeon Monitors or Facilitators when needed
    • Navigate the space (where to go, what’s allowed)
  • Maintain presence in all areas.

Boundaries of Role

  • Do not enforce rules
  • Do not intervene in scenes
  • Escalate anything safety-related immediately

Operational Notes

  • Often the most approachable role
  • Critical for early detection of issues before escalation
  • Work in close communication with both Dungeon Monitors and Facilitators

COMMUNITY BOARD MEMBERS

Governance, Accountability & System Oversight

The Community Board is responsible for the long-term integrity, safety, and sustainability of The Descent Dungeon events. This work happens outside of event nights, but directly shapes how the space operates.

They are responsible for structure, not moment-to-moment operations.

(Although, individuals may choose to fulfill Facilitator, Dungeon Monitor, or Support Steward roles in addition to their Board responsibilities.)

Core Responsibilities

  • Hold defined portfolios with clear ownership of specific functional areas (e.g. staffing, training, communications, accountability, membership, logistics, finance, inclusivity)
  • Oversee accountability systems.
  • Maintain and evolve: Community standards, Consent frameworks, and Policy updates
  • Support long-term strategy for Descent Dungeons

Structure & Function

  • The board consists of 7 Portfolio Leads and 2 Members at Large
  • Portfolio Leads are responsible for their portfolio area and collaborate on cross-functional decisions
  • Members at Large provide:
    • Coverage for gaps or conflicts
    • Additional capacity during high-demand periods
    • Neutral support in review processes

Decision-Making

  • Decisions are shared across multiple roles, depending on impact
  • Higher-impact decisions (e.g. suspensions or bans) require multi-role review with no conflicts of interest
  • No single individual holds authority over access or standing within the space

Operational Notes

  • This role is not tied to Calgary or Edmonton and does not require event-night presence.
  • Board members may choose to also act as an event Facilitator, Dungeon Monitor, or Support Steward, if able.
  • Work is ongoing between events and supports the entire system
  • Board members operate within confidentiality and defined data access protocols

HOW THESE ROLES WORK TOGETHER

This system is intentionally layered:

  • Support Stewards → early support, low barrier access
  • Dungeon Monitors → active safety and consent enforcement
  • Facilitators → event oversight and in-person decision-making
  • Community Board → long-term accountability and governance

Information flows upward when needed, but presence exists at every level.

SHARED EXPECTATIONS ACROSS ALL ROLES

All roles operate under the same foundational expectations:

  • Consent-first decision making
  • Clear, direct communication
  • Confidentiality of sensitive information
  • Willingness to escalate rather than hold alone
  • Awareness of personal limits and capacity
  • Commitment to ongoing learning and reflection

These roles are not about control. They are about shared responsibility for the space we are creating together.

FINAL NOTE

The Descent is not held by one person or one role. It is held through a system of people, each with clarity of purpose, working in coordination. That clarity is what allows the space to feel both brave and expansive at the same time.