These guidelines have been developed by RCC staff and program participants and are intended to help us build a safe and welcoming environment. These principles reflect RCC’s mission, to build community, and our vision of creating a society that embraces acceptance, safety and equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
If you have suggested changes please contact Kas at kas@rainbowcc.org.
Community Agreements
Be Present
“Let go” of anything that might be a distraction (deadlines, paperwork, family, etc.) and be deliberate about your purpose in this moment. Recognize those things that you need to release in order to be present. Be a Role Model
Speak for Yourself
Use “I” statements. Be aware of your audience. Speak from your own experiences – take responsibility for your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It helps you in not blaming others for your problems. You have no control over them, only yourself.
Listen Generously
Respect different points of view. Challenge Stereotypes/Check Assumptions. Check your own thinking and be careful of jumping to conclusions based on poor information. Politely challenge stereotypes by offering evidence that the stereotype is false. Assume Goodwill.
Step Up/Step Back
Encourage full participation. If you tend to speak a lot, step back – try listening more. And, if you tend to sit back and listen, step up – consider speaking up more. Take a risk. Try on new ideas and perspectives.
Don’t Yuck My Yum
Don’t put down someone’s interests, views, and choices. It’s Okay to Disagree without attacking, discounting, or judging the beliefs and views of others. There’s room for more than one idea and point of view. Appreciate and value multiple realities. No repercussions. Don’t punish other people with silence or anger when they share their reality or the truth as s/he sees it.
Healthy Boundaries
Practice setting limits for yourself and respecting the limits of others. It’s ok to say “No”. It’s ok to say “I need time to think about it” or “I’m not comfortable with this.”
Intent is Different from Impact
Be aware that sometimes we have a negative impact in another person’s life despite our best intention. Respond with concern and seek understanding when a negative impact occurs.
Challenge Gender Norms
Be happy with who you are. Love yourself; don’t hide or change who you are just to fit in. Be Femme or Butch, be a queen or a princess or a lumberjack or whatever, and let others express themselves. Be Creative and be yourself.
Respect Our Safe Space
Please respect the space and these guidelines. If you can’t follow them, take a break so as not to ruin the experience for others. Confidentiality – what’s said in the room stays in the room. Ask permission to share or discuss statements that others make. The story belongs to the teller not the listener. Rumors Hurt As Fast As They Spread.
Don’t Come High or Holding. Absolutely no drugs or alcohol allowed.
Respect Youth Only Space
There are designated times when adults, except for RCC staff, are not allowed in certain community center areas.
We’re All in This Together
We are a community with many parts, and all of us have experienced rejection. Help Us Build a Community Based on Respect & Love. Be supportive and ask for support when you need it. Take care of our space. Clean up after yourself. Recycle and throw trash away. Help out when you see something that needs to be done.
Consequences
If you can’t keep these agreements and are disruptive within a group, the facilitator will give you a warning. If you need to be reminded a second time, you will need to meet one-on-one and make a contract with an RCC staff member. If the disruptions continue, you may be asked to take a leave of absence as determined by the RCC staff.