From US Social Forum Wiki
Please see the meeting guidelines that have been used during the social forum process. These guidelines were shared by the Communications Working Group and Project South:
- Be aware of time
- Respect strengths and weaknesses of all
- Open minds only
- Step up/Step back –to encourage women and minorities who are less likely to speak up to ‘step up,’ and those whose social privilege gives them voice to step back;
- Woah! —Use this when a statement seems to contradict key principles of the group or when something is unclear;
- Default to trust—Remember that we’re all on the same team. When disagreements arise, raise them in a way that respects each other’s commitment to working together. Ask for clarifications before assuming another’s intentions.
- Use 'parking lot' (or bike rack) to acknowledge but set aside issues that are important but off-topic to allow them to be addressed at some future time;
- Oppression exists – we will confront it in this space