Community Guidelines
At the Gathering in 2006, proposed guidelines for how we agree to treat on another and others were reviewed in council and approved pending some specific revisions, including separating the proposed guidelines into 2 separate documents. We chose to not make these guidelines a part of our Bylaws. So, although they are not legally binding, they do offer us wisdom regarding our interactions with each other and our people.
A brief history:
At the Netkeeper selection council in 2004 we experienced a level of chaos that was disturbing for a number of the members present. Ultimately the immediate conflict was resolved both within the council and by allowing the prospective Netkeepers to each take the question to the land.
The following July, the Advisory Council came together for a long weekend meeting at which they drafted Proposed Community Guidelines. Approval by the membership was scheduled for the Gathering in 2005. Unfortunately, circumstances at the event conspired to prevent the discussion and approval by concensus that had been anticipated.
Another chaotic situation, this one completely different, disrupted the 2005 Gathering. By the end of that Gathering, a number of members greatly regretted that we had not addressed our Community Guidelines. Regardless, a council of a dozen or so members met a couple of months later, fully discussed the issue, reached resolution and ended with mutal agreement and a powerful sense of accomplishment. A difficult issue, with implications for individual members and the entire organization, was addressed "head on" by using a council format, following the proposed guidelines and cooperating in the spirit inspired by concensus. We walked our talk.
With this proof that the process works, the guidelines were discussed and approved with revisions in 2006. Below you will find the text of both documents, as well as PDF and rtf versions of the files which you may download. Printed copies will be distributed at the 2007 Gathering. No one will be mailed these files unless they are not present at the Gathering and they do not have internet access. Which is almost nobody.
Download:
To download a file, click on the relevant link below. Virtually everyone in the world can open, read and print PDF documents. So the first 2 downloads listed are PDFs. Althought word processing applications vary between computer platforms and individuals, most of them can open files in RTF (or rich text format). These files are MUCH smaller than the PDFs. Download if you have a modem.
Click on file name to download. Windows may prefer that you right click. Macs like Control + click.
Read here:
Community Guidelines
As a member of the Wilderness Guides Council (WGC), I agree to practice the following guidelines within the WGC community in the service of the health of our community, our world, and future generations.
I. I will live by the principles of Council including:
A. serving the purpose and intention of the group and offering up what will serve self, the Circle and Spirit.
B. speaking and listening from my heart and being mindful in my interactions with others.
C. communicating directly with any person with whom I have a concern or conflict, rather than engaging in gossip.
D. abiding by the wisdom of the community, even if that means letting go of an issue, changing my behavior, or leaving the community.
II. I will maintain healthy community relations, including:
A. taking responsibility for myself, my feelings, my assumptions and reactions, and asking for help when I need it.
B. being willing to think of myself as part of the community rather than as solely an individual.
C. being willing to admit that I do not hold the whole truth.
D. recognizing and validating the opinions and experiences of others.
E. focusing on my own opportunities for personal growth instead of on what others are or are not doing.
F. being aware of the effect I have on the community and striving to create no harm.
G. honoring and respecting the many ways in which we offer our work.
III. I will seek resolution with the goal of mutual understanding and reconciliation including:
A. understanding that my membership in the WGC is dependent upon my willingness to use the conflict resolution procedures
B. meeting in person if feasible; otherwise using the mode of communication (phone, email, letter) that will best support the process of Council.
C. respecting and honoring the spirit of Council, regardless of the mode of communication.
D. making every attempt to address and resolve concerns outside of the annual gathering.
E. following the outlined procedures in the order described until resolution is reached
See separate document: Conflict Resolution Procedures
Conflict Resolution Procedures
These procedures are designed to offer a safety net for the community and the individuals in our community. They define the different circles of holding the conflict, depending on the need. Conflict is viewed as a natural part of any group’s life. May these procedures support us in navigating difference in a good and creative way for the benefit of our community and our people.
1. Interpersonal Conflict Mediation
Step 1: Call a one-on-one Council directly with the individual.
Step 2: Call a witness Council
a. A witness may or may not be a WGC member, as long as the witness is experienced in either Council or conflict mediation.
b. Any of the following three witness councils are possible
- There may be one witness agreed upon by both members or
- One witness chosen by each member or
- One witness agreed upon by both members in addition to one witness chosen by each member, resulting in three witnesses in total
Step 3: Contact the Netkeeper, who activates a conflict mediation team, which then calls a Mediation Council. See next page for a description of conflict mediation teams.
Step 4: Call a Community Council
a. Contact the Netkeeper.
b. The Netkeeper will consult with the Advisory Council on how to engage the greater community.
c. Participate in a council witnessed by the community.
d. If necessary, the WGC will seek consensus on how to address the issue and carry out the decision as agreed.
2. Organizational Concerns—issues that concern the functioning of the WGC.
Step 1: Bring the concern to the appropriate Council (Advisory, Gathering, Elders, Bundle or Rangers), who will provide an opportunity to hear the concern at a council meeting (in person, by phone or by email).
Step 2: Call a Community Council
a. Contact the Netkeeper.
b. The Netkeeper will consult with the Advisory Council on how to engage the greater community.
c. Participate in a council witnessed by the community.
d. If necessary, the WGC will seek consensus on how to address the issue and carry out the decision as agreed.
Conflict Mediation Teams
I. Formation of the Team
1. The Netkeeper calls the designated point person from the Advisory Council.
2. The point person calls the appropriate members on the mediation team list and
forms the team.
3. It is recommended that there be 4 – 6 people on each mediation team.
II. Tasks
1. The Conflict Mediation Team implements Step 3 of the Procedures for Conflict Mediation.
2. The team chooses a team leader who will convene the group.
3. The team schedules an initial meeting with the members involved to gather information about the issue, and about previous attempts at resolution.
4. The team will formulate a conflict mediation plan which includes face-to-face councils with the members if possible.
5. At least two Conflict Mediation Team members will be present for each mediation council.
6. Members of the mediation team shall be mindful of potential conflicts of interest that would interfere with impartiality.
7. The Conflict Mediation Team will consult with the Advisory Council when they feel it would be helpful.
III. Skills
It is recommended that Conflict Mediation Team members have the following skills and qualities:
- The ability to listen well (essential)
- Experience with council and / or conflict mediation
- Impartiality
- The ability to be available when called for service
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