Tarrant Home Education Association
CODE OF CONDUCT
Code of Conduct
Amended and Approved by Membership on
Article XVIII. Expectations
Section 1. All Members
All Members are expected to treat all other Members with respect at all times. Here are some guidelines to consider:
a. The forums are our primary means of communication, and the only picture many people have of THEA. Be sure to keep in mind that people judge you by how you portray yourself on the forums. Always follow the Terms of Service guidelines for posting. Think before you post. Use emoticons to help reveal your true tone and intent.
b. Err on the side of being too cautious, and too nice. Don't be overly sensitive; if there is something small you can let go, just let it go. Assume benign intent on the other person's part; always give the benefit of doubt. It is a gift you will appreciate having returned to you.
c. Take pictures at our events. We love to see pictures of our children having fun posted on the board, and we appreciate you doing so. Do not, however, betray our trust. Do not use pictures of other Member’s children for any other purpose without the parents' consent. If someone asks to have a picture of his or her child removed from the forum, please accommodate that request. If you want pictures of your children removed when you leave THEA, you may ask to have that done. Do not take pictures of our children away when you leave THEA.
d. If you are having a problem, consider how you can solve your own problem first. If you need someone else to do something to accommodate you, try asking nicely. Remember that everyone else here is a volunteer, too, and that no one owes you anything. Being allowed to join in is a privilege; no one has to tailor their activities for your convenience.
Section 2. Parents
Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children have appropriate and safe experiences with THEA. Parents should inquire about the nature of activities planned in order to make sure that the events they are attending are age-appropriate for their children. Unless otherwise stated, parents are expected to remain with their children and supervise them at all times.
Section 3. Events
a. Events may occur in public places, in private facilities, and in Members' homes, among other places. At all times, THEA Members should conduct themselves in a way that will reflect well on THEA.
b. Attendance requirements for events (ages, THEA Membership required, etc.) are entirely at the discretion of the event planner. The event planner is responsible for specifying the requirements for attendance. In the absence of clearly defined limits, the assumption is that each event is for all THEA Members and for THEA Members only.
c. Out of respect for the event’s planner and those attending if you sign up...show up. Or cancel in a timely manner, group rates can be affected. Head counts in advance are many times a needed requirement for attendance and supplies."
Section 4. Guests
THEA Members are responsible for the behavior of any non-THEA guests they bring to any THEA-sponsored or THEA Member-sponsored event. Any behavior that does not reflect well on THEA may result in that Member no longer being able to bring any guests to THEA events.
Section 5. Forum
Members are expected to use the Forums respectfully at all times. Specific forum guidelines are detailed in the THEAONLINE Terms of Service.
Section 6. Special Interests
Members with special roles or functions (Officers of the Board, Moderators, Mediators, etc.) who find themselves in a potential conflict of interest regarding any portion of their duties at any time are expected to recuse themselves from that particular role or function for the duration of the conflict. The Member's role or function will be replaced by some other Member in good standing, according to role specifications.
Section 7. Conflict Resolution
Conflict will arise between Members from time to time. Under no circumstances should any two Members attempt to battle out personal conflict on the message boards. Personal conflict needs to be resolved off-line, with or without the assistance of Mediators.
Article XIX. Membership Limitations
Section 1. Members who behave in a manner grossly inconsistent with the Code of Conduct will be subject to having Membership terminated immediately. Membership dues and activity fees will not be refunded.
Section 2. Members who attempt to damage THEA in any way, by slandering the community or its Members, by attempting to use its Membership to start or populate another group to the detriment of THEA, by hacking into the forums without permission, or taking any other action for the purpose of damaging THEA will be subject to having Membership terminated immediately. Membership dues and activity fees will not be refunded. In addition, criminal charges may be filed, if appropriate.
Section 3. Members who consistently or frequently require moderation of posts will be placed on moderated status. Continued problems will result in having membership in good standing status removed.
Section 4. Members who cannot or will not abide by the mediation process will be subject to having membership terminated immediately. Membership dues and activity fees will not be refunded.
Article XX. Code of Conduct Review Team
Section 1. The Code of Conduct Review Team consists of the:
a. THEA Moderator
b. THEA Mediator
c. THEA Ethicist
Section 2. The Code of Conduct Team members will be elected at the first Members' Meeting held each year. Elections will be open, with nominations from the floor, and voting by all THEA Members who are present.
Section 3. THEA Moderator
a. Will be an elected position, will not be an Officer the Board, and will be elected for a one-year term
b. Will develop and maintain moderator training materials, and standardize moderation processes
c. Will have final say on all forum moderation issues
d. Will train and advise all moderators to ensure consistent moderation in THEA
Section 4. Forum Moderators
Each forum should have at least 2 moderators capable of enforcing Code of Conduct and Terms of Service rules. Every forum must have at least one moderator who is not an Officer of the Board.
a. Moderators are volunteers
b. All moderators will review the Code of Conduct, the Terms of Service, the Moderation Training documentation, and will agree to abide by the terms contained therein.
c. A moderator who is in the situation of needing to moderate a close friend or family member will ask another objective moderator to take over that instance of moderation
d. All moderators will work in conjunction with the Communications Team lead and the THEA Moderator
e. Board Officers generally will be moderators only for the forums they control, such as Board forums. Individual Officers of the Board may also moderate other forums if they lead that area. For example, an Officer of the Board who also leads the Tween group could be the moderator for the Tween forum.
Section 5. THEA Mediator
a. Will be an elected position, will not be an Officer of the Board, and will be elected for a one-year term
b. Will facilitate conflict resolution between THEA parties who request mediation. The Mediator is a communication facilitator, not an arbitrator.
c. Will train at least one alternative volunteer Mediator
d. No Mediator will attempt to mediate between 2 parties when one is a close personal friend or family member, or when the Mediator or either of the parties feels he/she cannot be objective in mediation.
Section 6. THEA Ethicist
a. Will be an elected position, will not be an Officer of the Board, and will be elected for a one-year term
b. Will serve as advisor to THEA Members regarding ethical issues within the Association
c. Will serve as the final checks-and-balances insurance for THEA
d. Will be a member of all Membership Review Teams for the purpose of determining membership in good standing status or revocation of Membership.
Section 7. The Membership Review Team (MRT) is an objective, ad-hoc team led by the THEA Ethicist for the purpose of reviewing ethics and membership standing. The Ethicist will select the MRT with input from the interested parties, the President of the Board, and other trusted individuals.
Section 8. If any member of the Code of Conduct Team is unable to fulfill his or her term, the remaining members of the Code of Conduct Team will appoint someone to fill the remainder of the term.
Article XXI. Moderation Process
Section 1. All posts made on the THEAonline forum are subject to moderation. Moderators will avoid power struggles with Members over posts. Posts that do not adhere to posting guidelines (COC, TOS) will be moved. The original poster will be given the opportunity to revise and repost the message.
Section 2. Any threads that appear to be headed in an unproductive direction may be closed at the discretion of the Moderators.
Section 3. An individual who repeatedly does not adhere to posting guidelines may be put on long-term or permanent moderated status at the discretion of the THEA Moderator.
Section 4. An individual who grossly violates posting guidelines or who routinely violates posting guidelines may be recommended for membership review by the Moderator.
Article XXII. Mediation Process
Section 1. The mediation process begins when one THEA Member contacts the THEA Mediator and requests mediation between him- or herself and another individual or team (Board of Officers, Moderators, etc.) These two individuals or groups will be referred to as the parties in conflict.
Section 2. The THEA Mediator will facilitate the matter or will appoint a trained mediator from the mediation team. Each party in conflict will have an opportunity to give input on the mediator selected. The ideal mediator will be able to be an objective participant in the mediation process.
Section 3. The mediator will generally meet with each party to establish sincerity in their conflict resolution goals, get a general idea of the issue at hand, and to instruct them in the mediation process, its goals, and possible outcomes.
Section 4. Mediation will end when all parties agree that the issue is resolved, or when one or more parties discontinue the mediation process.
Section 5. Parties who refuse to cooperate with the mediation process, or who the Mediator determines to be problematic for THEA may be referred for membership review by the Mediator.
Article XXIII. Membership Review Process
Section 1. The Membership Review Team is entrusted with maintaining THEA as a safe and healthy organization by limiting or refusing membership to any individual who is disruptive or generally creates an unsafe environment in THEA. A Membership Review can be called at any time at the request of the THEA Mediator, Moderator, the Ethicist, or the President of the Board.
Section 2. A Membership Review can be held in absentia for a Member who leaves THEA voluntarily before a Membership Review can occur. A Membership Review can be initiated after a Member leaves in order to determine if that individual will be eligible to return to THEA the following year.
Section 3. At a minimum, the MRT will consist of the Ethicist, the Moderator, the President of the board, the Membership Officer, and one member at large.
Section 4. The Ethicist is responsible for ensuring that the MRT will be able to be objective and fair with regard to the interests of the individuals whose membership is being discussed, and who will also hold the overall health of THEA as the top priority.
Section 5. The Membership Review Team will determine if it is in the best interest of THEA to remove a Member's good standing (probation) or to revoke a Member's membership.
Section 6. The Membership Coordinator will maintain a record of membership status, membership revocations, and time when Member will be eligible for rejoining THEA.
Section 7. The Membership Review Team's decision is final.
Tarrant Home Education Association |
