Together we share the responsibility to help ensure that everyone feels able to participate, are safe, happy and engaged. Here are a few rules that we should keep in mind:

1.   Treat others as you would like to be treated:

  • please do not shout, tease, bully, use bad language or make suggestive remarks.Do not engage in behaviour that is inappropriate, disruptive or intimidating.

  • Do not try to dominate the conversation.

  • Show respect, courtesy and consideration to everyone.

2.   Treat everyone equally:

  • We are all equal, regardless of race, gender, age, religion, education, cultural background, mental or physical disability, or anything else.

  • There will be many different opinions and ideas and it is important that we are valuing everyone’s contributions and welcome and celebrate diversity.

  • We can disagree persuasively but calmly.

3.   Listening to others:

  • Let one person speak at a time.

  • Don’t interrupt or talk over them.

  • Then when they have finished we all pause and reflect on what they have said for at least half a minute before the next person speaks.

  • Everyone should have a chance to speak within the group.

  • It is helpful to encourage others and to ensure that no one person monopolises the discussion.

4.   Speaking discipline:

  • When you feel moved to speak press the hand icon or raise your hand. Wait until invited to speak by one of the other members. (You may wish to note down what you wish to say, so you don’t forget if you wait a while!)

  • Make your comments brief and simple. Try to limit them to one minute maximum.

  • Speak only once on any particular topic. If you feel moved to speak again, please apologise and ask permission of the group to speak again.

5.   Wellbeing and safety for everyone:

  • Observe strict confidentiality regarding members' personal information.

  • Unless consent has been given, don’t use images or recordings or personal information.

  • If consent has been given, use members’ personal information only for the purposes for which their consent has been given.

  • If anyone treats you or anyone else in a way you think is not appropriate, please do raise it in the first place immediately after the meeting by emailing the convenors (young.franciscans@tssf.org.uk), but if you believe it is causing harm or abuse  (a ‘safeguarding’ issue), then without delay please tell our colleague Becca by emailing safe@tssf.org.uk. Don’t wait.

V.1 December 2023