Community Membership Portal – Information

Last updated August 10, 2022

Our goal in hosting the community platform is to help bring ourthe supporters—, fans of the Swedenborg Foundation and our Off The Left Eye programming—  closer together, creating an environment where everyone feels welcome to participate, speak up, ask questions, and engage in conversation. This requires a space that is inclusive and recognizes the worth of all involved.  We invite all those who participate to help us create a safe and positive experience for everyone. 

General Guidelines:

When participating, please observe the following online etiquette when interacting in activities associated with our community.  Examples would include online chats during live shows, zoom meetings, group chats and discussion groups etc.

• Keep yourself on mute when not speaking so as not to distract others with offline conversation or noise.

• When in a group discussion, please use the “raise hand” function or put your question in the chat and wait for the session facilitator to recognize you before speaking.

• Be respectful of time and keep your comments or questions on-topic and of an appropriate length. 

• Do not make any type of recording (including screenshots) of any part of the sessions without the permission of either a SF staff person or designated facilitator.  

• If the session facilitator asks you to stop a particular behavior, please do so promptly.

Interpersonal Conduct and Offensive or Harassing Behavior:

We ask that participants exercise consideration and respect in their speech and actions at all times. (Please also see the “Note about Differences of Opinion and Offense” below.) 

We do not tolerate harassment of participants for any reason, including gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religious background or beliefs. It is not appropriate to make derogatory or discriminatory comments to or about anyone, for any reason, whether they are present or not. Other examples of “harassment” might also include sending negative or unwelcome messages through direct messaging or other forms of communication outside of group functions.   

Sexual or off-color content, including imagery, speech, and text messages, are not appropriate. If you have something to share related to the topic of a presentation or discussion that might be offensive or uncomfortable for some, please consult the facilitator/moderator before continuing. 

Community members violating any of these guidelines may be expelled from the specific event, discussion or session as a result. The Foundation reserves the right to cancel a subscription to the Community platform in such cases, especially for repeat offenses.   

Note about Differences of Opinion and Offense

To achieve the purposes of a virtual event in the limited time provided, with the universal benefit of all participants’ being fully engaged, discussions should be focused on the meeting topic at hand. All participants must be able and welcome to equitably and effectively participate. It is not a violation of the code of conduct to express an opinion, raise research, or describe an experience, that is at odds with the opinions of or is offensive to others—if it is part of an on-point discussion of the topic at hand and is offered in a manner that does not interfere with others’ reasonable ability and welcome to participate fully. That means expressing differing positions with respect and consideration for all, in a manner that is demonstrably mindful of minimizing, as reasonably possible, its potential adverse effect on others’ ability to participate.  (Offering an advance warning of the potential for impact on others is one way to demonstrate such respect and consideration for all.) It also means not saying something that is reasonably expected to cause offense gratuitously (i.e., unrelated or unnecessary for the discussion on that topic). It means not directing your speech or writing as a personal attack or put-down of an individual, and not dominating the discussion. It further means demonstrating consideration for anyone who appears to be in distress by promptly stopping the cause and demonstrating caring, while still pursuing a way to share pertinent information with the Foundation’s representative if assistance is needed.

Reporting an Incident

If you witness or experience a violation of the code of conduct during any events or interactions, and would like to report it, please send a message to the facilitator/moderator or, e-mail our address at communitymembership@swedenborg.com.