policies.shambhala.info

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===== Terms of Use for Shambhala Network -  guidelines for online discussion or Netiquette =====

Please read these guidelines before posting for the first time. Users who do not abide by these guidelines may be banned from discussion groups (after admin's warning).  In general, the Shambhala Network is governed by [[https://code-of-conduct.shambhala.org/|Shambhala's Code of Conduct]], which is incorporated here by reference.  

The Shambhala Network is moderated by a team (including SGS staff and volunteers) but that team is not responsible for moderating content or behaviors outside of the Shambhala Network. The current team includes Natasha West (Communications), John David Smith (IT), and Tara Templin (Executive Leadership Team and Care and Conduct). You can reach the Network Moderation Team at: [[mailto:networkmodteam@shambhala.info|networkmodteam@shambhala.info]].

By participating in the Shambhala Network, you agree to follow these guidelines:

**Respect Our Community:** Treat others as equals. Shambhala embraces people from diverse backgrounds and preserves an inclusive environment. Recognize and respect diversity. Please be aware that your right to post might be limited when it conflicts with other rights and freedoms. Do not make posts that include libel, slander, pornography, obscenity, fighting words, or that misuse other’s intellectual property. Don’t insult, abuse, or threaten people. Don't swear or use offensive language that would be considered rude or argumentative. 

**No Anonymous Posting:** Do not post anonymously. Any content that is posted under a profile without a real name (or a pseudonym that is not linked to an identifiable person) may be deleted without warning. Posting on behalf of people who wish to remain anonymous falls under this category. 

**Practice Kindness:** Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life. Never forget that the person reading your mail or posting is a person with feelings that can be hurt. Be mindful of your tone. Be non-judgmental. Because written language lacks the support of facial or voice communication clues, it can be easily misinterpreted. Tone down your language by avoiding the use of strong words. Be forgiving of other people's mistakes. Never post anything you wouldn't say to your reader's face. 

**Promote Healthy Discussion:** Be constructive and respectful. When you don’t agree politely critique a position on an issue, but not the person. State precisely the point you disagree with. Acknowledge that others are entitled to have their own perspective on the issue. In order to be understood by most people, use correct spelling, grammar and avoid slang unless you know the word or phrase will be understood by other members. Choose your words carefully, ensure your comments are clear and cannot be taken in the wrong context.

**Respect Others’ Privacy:** Don’t share personal information, photos, or videos that another person may not want to be published online.

**Use Groups Appropriately:** Post messages to the appropriate discussion group. For instance, sangha-wide announcements can be put in the Sangha Announce. Announcements that are regional in scope should be made in your “Regional Classifieds” group.

**Do Not Post Restricted or Copyrighted Materials:** Do not post content that violates a copyright. Do not post content that is restricted to a certain study or teaching level. Please do not post content from the Shambhala Network on other sites without the express permission of the author.

**Avoid Repetitive Advertisements, Self-Advertising and SPAM:** Do not exhaust subscribers by posting advertisements again and again.  The same announcement multiple times looks like SPAM to the many people who subscribe to the Shambhala Network via a digest.  Do not sell your own business or products, or offerings that are not related to the teachings of Shambhala. Avoid any post that your readers may regard as SPAM.


**Scrutinize the sources of information you share**: Posting misinformation can be quite harmful to others, and the consequences can be especially serious with regards to medical or political topics, or about emerging crises. Consider consulting multiple sources that are widely respected, peer-reviewed, and are themselves properly sourced. Ask whether your sources might be motivated to distort evidenced-based findings. 

**Report Violations:** Help us keep the Shambhala Network user-friendly. Report to us harassment, spam and inappropriate content (using “Report” link at the right top of a post or a reply).
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