Safer Space & Collective Norms
Other important structure documents
NAC Mission & Principles
NAC Structure
NAC Security Culture
Table of Contents
These norms are how we have decided we want to work together as a group.
Safer Space Norms
Communication Norms
We respect that people have different communication styles. The following norms reflect that we want everyone to feel comfortable to share thoughts and feelings.
We Are on the Same Team - We have the same overall goals, even if we have different ways of getting there. When disagreements or mistakes do happen we assume best intentions and approach it as an opportunity to learn together.
Calling In - We are all doing ongoing work to unpack the harmful behaviors and language we have been conditioned with. If someone’s behavior isn’t aligning with collective principles/norms, we talk with them about it promptly, directly, and compassionately. Mistakes and microaggressions can and do happen, and we address these in the form of a call-in. Call-ins assume best intentions, and include the offer of Collective support to change behavior and resolve conflict. Continuation of harmful or offensive behavior beyond this point will be treated as intentional and will not be tolerated.
Resources:
Conflict Navigation Framework
Compassion Comrades
Active and Reflective Listening - We practice listening to each other completely and with intent to understand, rather than listening simply to wait to respond. We reflect or ask for clarification before responding to ensure that we’ve heard/understood correctly.
Make Space/Take Space - If you notice you’re talking more than others, make space for softer voices. You’re encouraged to take space if you’re often quiet.
Be Raggedy - Unpolished comments and feelings are welcome. The content of people’s ideas is more important than whether they phrase those ideas “perfectly” or not. We don’t want to lose valuable contributions just because they’re not yet fully formed.
Dissent and Questions Are a Gift to the Group - Everyone sees things from a different angle because of their lived experience. Someone may see a potential issue that others can’t see. It is a contribution to everyone when people raise questions and concerns that help the group see things more clearly and make better decisions.
Sharing Emotions is Encouraged - Sharing emotions can be a vulnerable experience. We encourage everyone to share how they’re feeling and do our best to create a supportive space for these human moments.
General Norms
In Solidarity, Not As Charity - We recognize the inherent connection between our own struggle for liberation and that of others'. We listen to lived experiences and seek to build horizontal support based on self-determined needs of communities.
Mutual Support is Essential - We ask for support when we need it. And we offer support when we have capacity.
Horizontally Organized - No one has a higher position than anyone else, even if they are performing a role. Everyone’s voice is important regardless of experience or background.
Passion, Not Obligation - Obligation breeds burnout. We want people to do what they are excited about, not what they think they “should” be doing. It’s always okay to say ‘no’ to a task or ask for support with a task.
Accessibility norms
We Value Feedback - Please tell us what you need, what we’re lacking, or anything related to making meetings and projects more accessible.
Building Pathways to Accessibility - We are flexible in the ways we accommodate individual and collective accessibility needs. No matter your path to access, your presence and participation is valued. If you need stims, if digital is easier or feels safer, if you need support to attend a meeting or event, an interpreter, an unscheduled break, in-meeting childcare, or any other accommodation, that’s great! Letting us know your specific needs helps us build a safer and more accessible space together.
Capacity Changes are Expected - Everyone's energy and availability changes over time. There is no shame in needing to leave a project, step back for a while, or even leave early from a meeting. If/when energy returns, you will be welcomed back!
All Contributions Are Welcome - No matter how much time, skill, or experience you can contribute, your contributions and perspectives are appreciated and valuable.
Signal Chat Norms
Extension of Meeting Space - The Signal groups are supplementary to our meetings and all our general norms for respectful communication apply. If we wouldn't say something at a meeting, we don't say it in a chat.
Mindful of Notifications - We are mindful that there are over 100 people in some chats and that every message we send can make a new notification for everyone. We consider if a message is genuinely helpful to be sent to the group (or could be a DM), and try to combine shorter texts into one longer one to reduce notifications.
Vibes Watch - Just like in person, if anyone notices things getting heated, tense, or someone being disruptive and/or harmful, we can do a vibes watch in the chat. We use the thermometer emoji for vibes watch. This can be done by posting something like this:
"🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️ Hey vibes watch y'all. Things are getting heated. Let's take a break and chill."
Security Norms (security culture)
Security Culture - Security Culture is a set of shared customs that are designed to minimize risk, offset suspicion, increase efficacy, and build trust. Read NAC’s Security Culture Norms here: https://neighborhoodanarchists.org/nac-security-culture
Digital Security - Protecting your digital footprint is an aspect of security culture and helps keep our whole community safer. See activistchecklist.org for step-by-step instructions.
Meeting Norms
Stack
Progressive Stacking - Everyone has the responsibility to prioritize the voices of marginalized groups that are often submerged, discounted, or excluded; and the voices of those with lived experience.
Stack Descriptions:
To get on Stack, raise one hand and look to the facilitator to confirm your addition to stack. You will be called in the order you were added.
Direct response is both hands moving alternately front to back. This shows you have something related that must be said directly after the person currently speaking. This symbol jumps stack and should not be misused.
Clarifying Question is a single hand formed in the shape of a C. This shows one has a question or comment necessary to clarify what was just said. This symbol jumps stack and should not be misused.
Point of Process is a triangle formed by two hands. This sign shows one has an idea for how to immediately improve the meeting process. This symbol jumps stack and should not be misused.
Up Twinkles are both hands raised with fingers pointing up and being wiggled. Twinkles indicate agreement with what is being said or with a consensus proposal.
Down Twinkles are both hands raised but with fingers pointing down and wiggling. Down twinkles indicate disagreement with what is being said. One may be asked to clarify their position if necessary.
Flat Hands means you are unsure, not for or not against.
Hard Block is holding arms up and crossed. This indicates a firm opposition to the proposal. This signifies that the approval of the proposal goes against the interests or principles of the group, and that the person blocking is willing to leave the group if the proposal is adopted.
Re-centering Llama is a hand raised with the index and pinkie fingers raised and the remaining fingers making contact in the center, like a long llama nose. This sign shows that the discussions have strayed from the original topic and gently refocuses the group.
Time is pointing to your wrist. This means we are running over time or reminds the group to be aware of limited time.
Volume up is cupping a hand to one’s ear. This indicates that the person speaking or content needs to be louder.
Vibes Watch is two ‘V’ hands coming together to make a ‘w’. Indicates that things are getting tense. Let’s address the tension or take a break.
Saying "Check" - Used to verbally signal you are done speaking and the facilitator can move to the next person on Stack.
Standard Meeting Norms
Meeting Roles - At the beginning of meetings, we establish the facilitator(s), notetaker, and, if needed, a stacker who helps the facilitator(s) keep track of stack. See the Facilitation Guide for more information on the role of the facilitator.
Check ins - At the beginning of meetings we all share our first name or alias, pronouns, and anything we need to share about how we’re doing to be present for the meeting.
Transitioning Roles - People can pass on their meeting role to someone else at any time, even mid meeting, if they don’t feel up to continuing in that role for any reason (tired, high emotions, timing, etc.)
Process Review/Feedback/Appreciations - Feedback on collective processes is invaluable and vital for growth. At the end of the meeting we check in about the meeting process, and everyone gets a chance to say what they need to say. We always end meetings by appreciating each other.
Notes - We take notes and send them out after meetings so people who were unable to attend can see what happened, ask questions, give input, and be involved in things that were discussed.
Other Norms
No Permits - We do not get permits for events we organize. If we’re co-hosting an event with other groups they can get a permit if they want. (See Why We Don’t Get Permits for full description.)
No Government Collaboration - We generally decline to work with or assist government agencies (federal, state, county, and city) and we don’t allow them to table at our events. We can make exceptions in special circumstances, such as if the government agency/employee is providing a valuable service that we are unable to provide.
Co-Sponsorship Norm - NAC does not officially co-sponsor (put our name or logo on an event) which we are not involved in organizing, but we are happy to help share information about leftist events within NAC, in our public newsletter, and on our social media.
In order to partner on organizing we ask to be involved in the planning as early as possible. Our participation will depend on if there are at least two people in NAC who want to help organize the event and can give report backs to the rest of NAC.
Inter-group conflict - NAC stands in solidarity with the activist community as a whole. We are all working towards the common goal of creating a better and more equitable world. As a collective NAC generally focuses on local issues an stays out of inter-activist group conflict unless we have first-hand knowledge of the situation.
