Community Norms

2024 Adding Voices Conference

Community Norms Agreement

We acknowledge that this conference is a community learning experience and in order to be fully present and arrive authentically we ask that you look inward by considering the questions below and, as a result, arrive with the expectation to follow the community norms listed below. 

Questions to consider before attending:

• What can I do to show up authentically and allow for meaningful truth telling of others and myself?

• What does it mean to demonstrate respect for others?

• How am I choosing to take up space in this experience?

• What will help me remain in conversation and work towards a shared goal?

Authentic participation and learning:

• Consider your positionality and purpose in each space you enter.

• Speak from the “I” perspective.

• Be open to controversy, lean into discomfort. 

• Own your intentions and impacts on others.

• Respect different realities and suspend judgment

• Honor the confidentiality of what is shared

• Remember that “respect” carries multiple meanings and intentions.

• Think before you speak; say what is core. 

• Step up when marginalized participants or presenters are under attack.

• Step back to allow for marginalized voices to be centered and honored. 

• Learn from the silence that may arise within conversations.

• Do not center your guilt, you are here to learn and to grow, not to apologize and be forgiven. 

• Recognize, acknowledge, and mitigate power dynamics that reinforce cultural dominance and impede authenticity

• Expect and accept non-closures

As adults, we are responsible for our behavior and are fully accountable for our actions. We each must take responsibility for our awareness of racism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and other forms of discrimination. Bigotry will not go unchallenged within this community. No one has the right to denigrate another human being on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, national origins, and other identities.  In this context, we do not accept alcohol or substance abuse as an excuse, reason, or rationale for such abuse, harassment, intimidation or violence. Ignorance or “it was just a joke” is also not an excuse for such behavior.

This Community Norms Agreement is a part of the 2024 Adding Voices Conference Registration being hosted by Moore College of Art & Design. If the conference staff notice an attendee disregarding these norms at any time the attendee will be asked to respectfully leave the session and/or the Adding Conference Event.