A vital part of EDS’ mission is to foster justice-centered, theologically focused transformative conversations. These conversations touch on important issues that are nuanced, complex, and often deeply personal. We expect there will be moments of disagreement and embrace them as opportunities for learning and building more authentic community. EDS online spaces are designed to welcome all participants to share ideas, and wrestle with the challenges of our time.
The following guidelines outline expectations for engagement in online EDS spaces and provide guidance for EDS moderators looking to cultivate constructive dialogue.
Engagement on Social Media
We invite thoughtful dialogue around the complex theological and social issues EDS engages. For our interactions on social media, practicing the guidelines is critical in maintaining an open, collaborative, and respectful space. Disagreement is welcome as a source of learning and a feature of collaboration; disrespect is neither welcome nor collaborative.
Unacceptable Behavior
We do not tolerate:
- Personal attacks, name-calling, or harassment
- Profanity or obscene language
- Comments that target individuals, communities, or organizations in ways that shame, bully, or incite hostility
- Repeated antagonism, trolling, or off-topic disruption
Violations will result in comment deletion. Multiple violations may lead to a temporary or permanent ban from EDS social platforms.
Accountability and Responsiveness
When a conversation violates EDS guidelines, moderators may join with a reminder of these commitments. We ask our community to be open to feedback and redirection in the spirit of shared learning.
Virtual Event Participation Guidelines
All of the above guidelines also apply to EDS events. Due to the sensitive nature of topics of much of our programming, some programs will operate under Chatham House Rule, which reads:
When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
To protect the identities of our guests, these select events will not be recorded or shared publicly and all those who wish to participate must do so live. Resources mentioned during the program may be shared after the event on the past programs page of our website.
Comments that fall under “unacceptable behavior,” as outlined above, will be deleted and the person will be removed from the event immediately. Participants who engage in particularly egregious behavior (threatening violence, harassment, etc.) towards EDS staff and guests will be removed from EDS mailing lists and blocked on all social media platforms for the safety of our community.
We ask that all event participants follow the guidelines as outlined above in regards to respect, boundaries, and constructive disagreement. As needed, moderators will remind participants of these guidelines, delete comments, and remove participants who violate them.
Final Note
All decisions around content removal, suspension, or bans will be made with care and reference to EDS’s vision and values. These policies are intended to ensure that our digital community reflects the grace and courage we seek to promote and embody.
Thank you to Episcopal Communicators whose thoughtful language and shared practices helped shape these guidelines.