Vernon PTA Community Agreements

1. STAY ENGAGED EVEN WHEN IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE:

Practice: Actively listen to what is being shared.  Notice and resist waiting to talk vs. listening.  Practice self -care to stay engaged such as having water or taking notes.  Notice: How do you engage or disengage?  When and how?  Are you morally, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and socially “in the space”?

 2. SPEAK YOUR TRUTH AND VALUE MULTIPLE TRUTHS:

Practice: Share from your experience and point this out.  We are made up of our experiences and biases.  Resist only one truth or one way.  Notice when you do not speak up – why is this?

 3. EXPECT AND ACCEPT NON-CLOSURE:

Practice: Focus on what is being shared versus the solution.  Agree to take time for further review while balancing the need to move the work forward.  Resist the pull for perfection or quick fixes while noticing if these behaviors are intended to delay or distract from discomfort.

 4. CHALLENGE WITH CARE.

Practice: Find ways to respectfully challenge others and be open to challenges of your own views.  Think about how to question ideas without personal attacks.  “I wonder if…”, “Could you tell me more...”, “I am not sure I agree with you…”.  Practice sharing concerns or hurtful events directly with the person with “24-48” hours.  Ask for support if needed to feel safe.  Challenge the “typical or historical” ways of doing things and be willing to seek alternatives.

5. PATTERNS OF PARTICIPATION:

Practice: Noticing how you are participating in relation to others in the space.  Are you taking up too much space or too little?

6. INTENT VS IMPACT:

Practice: Notice and acknowledge the impact of an action (eg budget decision, words used, purchases) versus only the intent.  Take time to consider the impact and unintended consequences as part of the decision making.  Attend to the impact of your words and actions. Be open to learning if something hurtful is said.  Consider the benefit or burden of what you share.

 7. CONSENT AND PRIVACY:

Practice: Respect people’s privacy and share only what is yours, or get consent to share someone else’s.  Do not make assumptions about people’s identities, skills, and interests – ask first.  Notice and resist if you are trying to figure out who someone is talking about.

 8. POWER AND PRIVILEGE:

Practice: Think about power dynamics in interactions during a meeting (based on role, history, identities, and more) and consider the impact on engagement.   Note how you demonstrate power (e.g. sharing how many years you have done this event, use of acronyms).

9. CENTER RACE:

Practice: Ask for data about race to inform decisions and proposals.

10. ASK FOR AND OFFER HELP:

Practice: Ask for clarification or more information. Seek a peer for support.

VIRTUAL MEETINGS - Additional Group Etiquette

●        Keep your mic muted unless it is your turn to speak.

●        Please feel free to use the comments bar to alert the host that you have a question and would like to speak.

*These suggestions have been adapted from The Equity Lab https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e90af1f141b51081e7194aa/t/5f43ff9d6a8cb7299871698c/1598291869551/REDI+Agreements+2020.pdf)   

Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools (2006). Glenn E. Singleton & Curtis Linton