As part of ROOTS’ community-building practice, we are intentional about the ways in which we gather together and share space. Over the years, we have developed meeting practices and agreements that cultivate equity, community, and wellness when we convene as a group.

The agreements were developed with in-person spaces in mind, but most of them translate really well to a virtual space! One important virtual meeting agreement that’s not on the list below: please stay on mute when not speaking. 

Community Agreements 

• As time and group size allows, we check in and out at the beginning and end of meetings. 
• We include pronouns on our name tags and in group introductions; we are mindful of using folks’ correct pronouns.
• As a way to pay our respects to Indigenous peoples, past, present, and future, we name the original caretakers of the lands we live upon in our introductions. 
• We offer short verbal descriptions in our introductions to create a more accessible space for all. 
• We share the labor of meeting roles, including facilitator, notetaker, accessibility and emotions monitors, timekeeper, and chat checker. 
• We share time and space equitably. If we’re prone to participating a lot, we are intentional about moving back. If we’re prone to not participating much, we encourage ourselves to move forward.
• We recognize that access practices may disrupt familiar norms or expectations and may create discomfort – even well-intentioned actions can create barriers to participation. We approach these moments with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to adapt.
• We speak slowly, loudly, and clearly. We make sure only one person is speaking at a time. When a microphone is available, we always use it. If we’re on Zoom, we are mindful to stay on mute during sessions (but feel free to come off it before and after to catch up with folks!).
• We avoid alphabet soup and coded language by unpacking acronyms or buzzwords.
• We use “I” statements and speak from our own experiences and feelings.
• We seek first to understand and assume good intent while also acknowledging impact – if something we say or do causes harm we commit to working through it.
• We give each other grace, knowing that the work of undoing oppressions is hard and we will all mess up at some point.
• We take care and responsibility for ourselves and our own physical, emotional, mental, spiritual needs.
• We ask before we hug; everyone has different physical boundaries, and we seek to create a space where everyone feels safe and empowered in their bodies.
• We take stretch/dance/movement breaks whenever possible!
• We leave our spaces in better shape than we found them.