How do we take individual and collective responsibility towards each other, and our relationships?

While we acknowledge some conflict is healthy and necessary for a community, we will strive to prevent destructive conflict, by abiding to our agreements of kinship, trust and openness. However, where conflict occurs we will be curious, generous in our interpretation of intentions, words and actions of others, and seek to understand why it is occurring and to resolve it with compassion, transparency and accountability.

As a community built on sociocratic principles, where conflict occurs it should first be resolved by those closest to it, and if needed involve those with the most relevant roles, experience, expertise etc. If conflicts are becoming more frequent and unmanageable, this will be taken as a sign to pause and reflect as a community, to ask ourselves: are the conflicts a symptom of something else? Conflict can also be taken as a sign the community needs to gather (have fun, see each other for the wonderful beings we are) and re-build relationships.

Where conflict is potentially constructive and healthy, and potentially strengthen bonds, try the following:

• Check in - reflect and think through what has happened and why. Talk to a trusted friend and use conflict resolution resources. If you feel safe, try to engage again with the other person.

• Expand the way you’re communicating - move from text to a video call, or better, meet in person.

• Explore the common ground - e.g. can both parties agree on what they don’t want to happen? Shared intentions etc.

• Expand the perspectives - if two people cannot resolve a conflict themselves, and if they both agree to, bring in a trusted/respected and neutral person/people to steward and mediate.

• Explore contradictions - can both points of view, ideas etc exist at the same time in the community, without causing harm?

• Escalate - if the conflict can still not be resolved, escalate it further. The steward will set up a working group, if needs be, bring in external mediators and look at system/structural change.

  Escalation Pyramid source: https://www.loomio.coop/conflict_resolution_resources.html

  Where conflict is destructive and unhealthy, where there has been inappropriate behaviour, those involved can do the following:

  1. Check with themselves to see if there has been a misunderstanding.
  2. Talk with someone you have intimacy with, ask for their opinion.
  3. Report the incident to a pod member or @[email protected].
  4. The Network Cultivator will gather the Heart Circle group*, provide appropriate support to those involved, and aim to make a decision about a course of action.

  *The Heart Circle group consists of four to five pod members gathered by the Network Cultivator.

  Examples of inappropriate behaviour could include:

  • The use of inappropriate sexualized language or imagery, or sexual attention or advances of any kind
  • Trolling, insulting or derogatory comments, or personal or political attack
  • Public or private harassment
  • Publishing others’ private information, such as a physical or email address, without their explicit permission
  • Sharing or soliciting illegal content
  • Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting

  Courses of action in response to inappropriate behaviour could include:

  • Correction - if inappropriate behaviour or language occurs then a private written warning is given, providing clarity of the violation and an explanation about why it's inappropriate. A private or public apology may be requested.
  • Warning - if a series of incidents of a more serious violation occurs, then a warning with consequences. No interaction with people involved is allowed for a period of time, both in and outside the community. Violating these terms may lead to a temporary or permanent ban.
  • Temporary ban - the individual responsible for violating the community guidelines is banned from the community, online and in person, for a set amount of time.
  • Permanent ban - the individual responsible for violating the community guidelines is banned on a permanent basis from the community, online and in person.