Guidelines

As we finally settled on our mission statement for our community, I thought it would be interesting to share another type of mission statement/guidelines for another class that I am in. It's interesting to me to see what things are similar and what things are different about the different mission statements that were created for two very different types of classes. I thought the mission statement making was a bit silly at first, but now it definitely seems like an important thing to create in communities to create and engage in mutual respect and create a space where everyone can learn and grow.

The Politics of Race, Class and Gender

Class Norms – 09/24/12

·       Purity of Motive – genuine desire to learn, ask questions, bring up ideas,…desire to learn…ask because you want to know

·       “Ouch and Educate” – If someone asks a question that is oppressive or discriminatory…hurt feelings…say OUCH…and provide education about why that was hurtful…have to be willing to say ouch…and either you or others can help us to move through it (educate) – There may be instances where we create an act of alliance (ways in which we can support each other). 

·       Respect each other’s beliefs

·       Be mindful of various perspectives – intellectual as well as personal

·       Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t know – there are not many dumb questions

·       Allow others to finish speaking

·       Be an active listener – listen to hear the person’s argument

·       Consider your non-verbal communication – be aware of your non-verbal

·       Everyone has the capacity to be both wrong and right

·       Support your arguments

·       Consider tone

·       Intent vs. Impact – communication has two parts; what you intend to communicate and the impact of what you communicate – have to navigate both

·       Acknowledge that accountability goes in all directions

·       Do not take critical dialogue personally

·       Do not carry conversation with you – be brave enough to put it on the front porch

·       Step up, Step back – Step up (if you are often quite, get brave and step up…be a part of the community)… Step back (if you always have something to say…step back…allow for others to be brave)

·       Vegas Rule – what gets said in class, stays in class (personal stories are each person’s to tell)

·       Come into class with a spirit of openness

·       Be comfortable with silence – recognize silence as nothing more than silence

·       Be brave

·       Use “I” statements – speak for yourself and about yourself, no one else

·       No attack on people’s character