|
Attendance and behaviour at meetings: Disruptive and abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. Disruptive behaviour includes, but is not limited to, being drunk or under the influence of drugs, and physical intimidation and threats. Abusive behaviour includes, but is not limited to, offensive comments directed at another group member's racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, social status or political affiliation. Offenders against these rules will be asked to leave the meeting and may be permanently barred from the group.
|
| Time-keeping: be on time |
| We show a lack of respect by turning up late
for the start of sessions and interrupting individuals, who may be already
talking in the group. |
We respect our peers by ensuring we turn up before
the start of the sessions and if unavoidably late, quietly and discreetly
join the rest of the group. |
| |
| Mobile phones: switch off mobile
phones |
| We show a lack of respect when we allow our mobile
phone to ring during the session and disturb the discussion. |
We respect our peers by ensuring we switch off
our mobile phone prior to the start of the session. |
| |
| Talking too much: keep to the point |
| We show a lack of respect by using the limited
time available to talk about our own issues and ignoring the need of others
to share theirs too. |
We respect our peers by keeping to the point
in what we say and being aware that others need time to share their issues
too. |
| |
| Patience: wait until the other has
finished |
| We show a lack of respect by talking over people,
or interrupting them. |
We respect our peers by waiting until they have
finished, before we respond. |
| |
| Paying attention: manage the urge
to engage with others, while others speak |
| We show a lack of respect when we distract others
by whispering/talking or signalling to our neighbour, while another is
talking to the group. |
We respect our peers when we use self-control
to remain attentive to others who are talking. |
| |
| Differing points of view: agree or
disagree with 'points of view', not people |
| We show a lack of respect by judging others because
of their point of view, rather than just disagreeing with the point of
view itself. |
We respect our peers by agreeing/disagreeing
with their views rather than the person themselves. As a diverse group
of people, we are much more than a particular point of view, on a particular
occasion. |
| |
| Making assumptions: assume nothing
until checking it out first |
| We show a lack of respect by publicly expressing
assumptions about others and their lifestyles that we haven't verified. |
We respect our peers by tentatively checking
out assumptions first, before publicly expressing them. |
| |
| The right to hold a point of view:
accept diversity |
| We show a lack of respect by insisting on repeatedly
trying to change another's point of view just because it differs
from our own. |
We respect our peers when we accept that they
are entitled to hold different points of view for our own, even when challenged
in a respectful manner. No one individual has a monopoly on 'truth' or
'rightness' to impose on others. |
| |
| Impatient and/or bored: manage feelings
of impatience and boredom |
| We show a lack of respect by expressing obvious
signs of impatience and/or boredom when others are talking. |
We respect our peers when we use our own powers
to control these feelings and express them appropriately, assertively and
respectfully. |
| |
| Getting angry: managing feelings of
anger |
We show a lack of respect when we work ourselves
into a state of annoyance/anger and express it inappropriately through
shouting, swearing, making snide remarks, walking out, physically threatening
others. |
We respect our peers by controlling our feelings
of anger, calming ourselves down, until we can express it assertively and
appropriately with the rest of the group. |
| |
| Talking outside sessions: discuss
generalities, not specific details |
| We show a lack of respect by disclosing (without
permission), the names and personal details of others outside the group,
whether it be partners, friends, acquaintances, etc. |
We respect our peers by keeping quiet about specific
names and personal details of others. However, we can discuss the general
content of sessions, points of view and conclusions. |
| |
| Meeting others outside the sessions:
be discreet |
| We show a lack of respect by associating others
with the group (without prior permission), if meeting them publicly. |
We respect our peers by being discreet about
how we know them, unless specifically okayed by the other. |
| |
| The 'voluntary' email list:
be responsible sending emails |
| We show a lack of respect by using the email
list thoughtlessly, without knowing who else might be accessing it and
possibly compromising the confidentiality of others |
We respect our peers by accepting responsibility
for risking our own details and being careful and discreet about sending
emails. |
| |
| Personal disputes with others: resolve
outside in private |
| We show a lack of respect by using the sessions
as public arenas for resolving personal disputes. |
We respect our peers by dealing with personal
disputes with others outside the sessions and in private. |
| |
| Complaints: follow the agreed complaints
procedure |
| We show a lack of respect by complaining outside
the agreed procedures |
We respect our peers by ensuring we exercise
our right to complain within the agreed procedures. |
