The PJSA Board has been in conversation over the past several months about what it means to be a community of activists, educators, and scholars who model the best practices of conflict transformation and restorative justice both online and in-person. The Board’s conversation led to the development of the following “Ground Rules for Community Engagement” which were adopted at the Dec. 2020 PJSA Board Meeting.
Ground Rules for Community Engagement
- Be open to new perspectives and seek understanding rather than trying to persuade. Ask clarifying questions before assuming intentions or arguing positions.
- Challenge ideas not people: Always give people the benefit of the doubt; do not invent intentions for others, instead ask questions if you disagree with someone.
- Take space and make space. Allow for a healthy exchange of ideas instead of asserting your opinions or expertise.
- Speak your truth: Freely share your experiences while also respecting other’s experiences as their truth.
- Emotions are allowed when they are directed at ideas and not at people.
- Do not tone police – focus on what a person is saying and not their emotional expression. (For an understanding of tone policing see: https://everydayfeminism.com/2015/12/tone-policing-and-privilege/ and https://femmagazine.com/feminism-101-what-is-tone-policing/)