Email Group Code of Conduct
The goal of the AGNA Google Group is to provide a space for neighbors to discuss issues that matter to them in a way that is constructive, civil, and builds community. To keep conversations accessible and welcoming for everyone, the board has put together the following Code of Conduct.
If you receive anything through the Google Group that makes you feel uncomfortable, or you feel violates this code of conduct, please let us know.
The AGNA board, after fair warning, reserves the right to suspend membership for anyone who repeatedly violates one or more of these rules. The AGNA board reserves the right to modify these guidelines, as needed, to maintain a supportive and healthy forum for the neighborhood.
Web Etiquette
Just as there are in real life, there are etiquette rules for communicating online. Below are a few guidelines, many from the CABQ Office of Neighborhood Coordination.
- Do not type in all capitals. It is harder to read and is considered shouting or ranting. Compose your emails using regular casing.
- Remember your grammar and punctuation. An email is no different than a letter, and you want your email to reflect both correct grammar and punctuation.
- Use appropriate language and emoticons.
- Don’t forward emails. Most of the time, it’s useless information, a scam attempt, or just plain annoying. If you want to share information from an email you’ve received with the neighborhood, rephrase it in your own words.
Conflict & Personal Disputes
The AGNA email group is meant to be a place where people feel encouraged to have conversations about issues that matter to them. This means conversations must remain civil.
If you are upset about something a neighbor says, consider taking a break from your computer to give yourself space to compose a thoughtful and constructive response. Being reactive will only escalate the situation.
The email group is not a place to resolve personal disputes or grievances. Use private email or, better yet, schedule a face-to-face meeting to resolve the issue.
It is important to remember that everyone is probably doing the best they can with the resources they have. Sometimes that means they can’t bring their best selves to the conversation. If one of your neighbor’s comments make you feel uncomfortable, or you feel like a conversation has become too heated, please contact the board.
Concerns
If a neighbor is doing something that angers or concerns you, be cautious before posting about it through the email group. There is a good chance the neighbor is a subscriber, as well, and your comments could easily be perceived as public shaming. You might be better off reaching out to your neighbor directly rather than posting about the issue publicly.
If the concern is about a house, vehicle, or individual engaging in illegal activity, you should call 911.
Discrimination
When posting to the group, remember that you have experiences and biases that are different from your neighbors. Try to avoid coded language that insult or reduce one’s humanity. For example, using "AA" when referring to African-Americans or other terms such as "Oriental" when referring to Asian-Americans. Also, when describing people who are homeless or who have committed crimes, keep in mind that everyone is someone’s son or daughter or sister or brother. We all deserve to be treated with respect.
Avoid comments that discriminate against, threaten, or insult groups based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age, veteran status, or disability.
Presume Value
The email group is intended as a space for all neighbors to feel safe, welcome, and respected. One way of encouraging this is to presume the value of your neighbors. Each of them have different life experiences, ideas, and skills that are different than your own. If you don’t understand someone’s comments or if they frustrate you, it might be a learning opportunity for you both. Try reaching out to them directly. You might be surprised at what you can learn from each other.
Respect Your Neighbors’ Time
Group emails are a powerful communication tool for delivering messages directly to your neighbors’ inbox. Be courteous of their time by steering clear of over-posting and ranting. Over-posting is when someone repeatedly posts about the same topic and ranting can usually be spotted by the use of all caps, excessive punctuation, provocative language, judgmental accusations, or repetitive explanations.
You are encouraged to post about topics that matter to you and rally your neighbors to take action, but be conscious of your neighbors’ time.
Commercial Promotion
Do not post commercial promotions, news, or events to the group. The Alvarado Gardens Neighborhood Association maintains this Google Group for the private non-commercial communications between the neighborhood association and its members.
If you have any questions concerning these limitations, contact the Board.
Report Crime & Suspicious Activity
Before posting about crime or suspicious activity to the email group, consider whether or not you should instead be reporting it to the police. If you are certain you want to report it to the neighborhood, be sure that what you’re reporting is actually suspicious. Ask yourself, “Would I be suspicious of this person’s behavior if I took race or ethnicity out of the equation?” Racial profiling is when you assume someone’s actions are suspicious because of their race or ethnicity.
When describing a person involved in suspicious activity to your neighbors or the police, try to describe the person from head to toe. Include details other than the person’s race or ethnicity. This helps keep all your neighbors safe and avoids casting a wide net of suspicion over innocent people unfairly of similar race and ethnicity.