Our goal in hosting this virtual event is to help bring fans of Off The Left Eye closer together and to create an environment where everyone feels welcome to participate, speak up, ask questions, and engage in conversation. This requires a space that is inclusive and recognizes the worth of every participant. We invite all those who participate to help us create a safe and positive experience for everyone.
General Guidelines
When participating, please observe the following online seminar etiquette:
- Keep yourself on mute when not speaking so as not to distract others with offline conversation or noise.
- When in a group discussion, please use the “raise hand” function or put your question in the chat and wait for the session facilitator to recognize you before speaking.
- Be respectful of time and keep your comments or questions on-topic and of an appropriate length.
- Do not make any type of recording (including screen shots) of any part of the sessions without the session facilitator’s permission.
- If the session facilitator asks you to stop a particular behavior, please do so promptly.
Interpersonal Conduct and Offensive or Harassing Behavior
We ask that participants exercise consideration and respect in their speech and actions at all times. (Please also see the “Note about Differences of Opinion and Offense” below.)
We do not tolerate harassment of participants for any reason, including gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religious background or beliefs. It is not appropriate to make derogatory or discriminatory comments to or about anyone, for any reason, whether they are present or not. However, in the case of this event, “harassment” also includes sending negative or unwelcome messages through direct message or other forms of communication outside of the group sessions.
Sexual or off-color content, including imagery, speech, and text messages, are not appropriate. If you have something to share related to the topic of a session that might be offensive or uncomfortable for some, please consult the session moderator before continuing.
Participants violating any of these guidelines may be expelled from the session without a refund.
Note about Differences of Opinion and Offense
To achieve the purposes of a virtual event in the limited time provided, with the universal benefit of all participants’ being fully engaged, discussions should be focused on the meeting topic at hand. All participants must be able and welcome to equitably and effectively participate. It is not a violation of the code of conduct to express an opinion, raise research, or describe an experience, that is at odds with the opinions of or is offensive to others—if it is part of an on-point discussion of the topic at hand and is offered in a manner that does not interfere with others’ reasonable ability and welcome to participate fully. That means expressing differing positions with respect and consideration for all, in a manner that is demonstrably mindful of minimizing, as reasonably possible, its potential adverse effect on others’ ability to participate. (Offering an advance warning of the potential for impact on others is one way to demonstrate such respect and consideration for all.) It also means not saying something that is reasonably expected to cause offense gratuitously (i.e., unrelated or unnecessary for the discussion on that topic). It means not directing your speech or writing as a personal attack or put-down of an individual, and not dominating the discussion. It further means demonstrating consideration for anyone who appears to be in distress by promptly stopping the cause and demonstrating caring, while still pursuing a way to share pertinent information, with the session facilitator’s assistance if needed.
Reporting an Incident
If you see, overhear, or experience a violation of the code of conduct during the event, and would like to report it, please send a message to the session facilitator or, if after the session, e-mail the designated dispute resolutions coordinator.