ACTE Affinity Groups & Communities of Practice

Participation and Community Standards Agreement

ACTE recognizes how important it is for member communities to be places where people feel safe to communicate, and we take our role seriously in keeping abuse out of the communities we host. For this reason, we have developed a participation agreement and set of community standards that all members wishing to be part of our affinity groups and communities of practice must agree to prior to being given access to meetings or online platforms.

Please read over these standards carefully prior to submitting your membership application.

Non-Discrimination/Harassment Policy: We are committed to creating an inclusive community and will not tolerate harassment or discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status or any other attribute or characteristic protected by law.

Confidentiality: Respect the confidentiality of discussions and shared information within the group. What is shared within the community should stay within the community. * Please note that any confidentiality agreement related to these groups does not grant any privileges that would supersede any local, state or national mandated reporting laws. Members who are mandated reporters are responsible for knowing the laws in their state and acting in harmony with such laws as applicable.

Constructive Feedback: Provide feedback in a constructive and respectful manner, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and mutual support.

Active Listening: Practice active listening to ensure that all members feel heard and valued. Seek to understand diverse perspectives and opinions.

Professional Conduct & Focus: Uphold standards of professional conduct within the community, maintaining respect and professionalism in all interactions. These communities have been created to encourage the professional growth of their members and to advance the mission and vision of ACTE. Therefore, group discussions and content should be related to the professional development of members and their role in the CTE community. Potentially divisive issues unrelated to the role of group members as part of the CTE community should be avoided.

Inclusive Language: Inclusive Language: Use inclusive language that respects diverse perspectives and avoids discriminatory or exclusionary terms.

Conflict Resolution: Remember "Ouch, Oops, Educate"

• Ouch (acknowledge there was hurt)
• Oops (apologize)
• Educate (learn from each other about where they and you are coming from)

If conflicts arise, members are encouraged to identify and acknowledge them, initiating private discussions to express their perspectives respectfully.

Respect for Boundaries: Respect personal boundaries and consent, both in online interactions and in-person events, to ensure the comfort and safety of all members.

Communication Acknowledgement: By joining this group, I agree to receive periodic email communication and notifications from ACTE and the CTE Learn platform regarding group activities and updates. The communication may include, but is not limited to, notifications of activity on the CTE Learn platform, announcements regarding live networking events and sponsored content.

Limitation of Liability Disclaimer

All information expressed during any and all member group activities represents the professional and personal views of the individual participants and does not necessarily represent the views of ACTE. ACTE is not liable for the practices or activities of the group, either online or in person, and reserves the right to deny the group any and all benefits of affiliation at any time. Prior to participating in or becoming a member of an Affinity Group or Community of Practice, ALL members and participants must agree to and sign a Participation and Community Standards Agreement.

Participants agree that all resources shared within this community are intended for personal professional use to enhance their practice. These resources may not be duplicated without proper credit to the creator, sold, or publicly posted on social media or any other online platforms. Members are encouraged to respect the intellectual property of others and seek permission from the creator if they wish to share resources beyond their individual professional use.

I agree to hold my conduct and participation in this Affinity Group or Community of Practice to the above standards and policies. I also waive and release ACTE from any losses, damage, injury, or death caused by participation in any and all community activities.