Peace and Love Accords
(or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Process)
revamped by GPaul 3/31/13
consented to April 14, 2013
The purpose of this paper is to establish a framework for resolving serious conflicts among residents of Acorn, and is specifically laying down a minimum process that must be followed before a person is asked to leave. As always, Acorn's two baseline caveats apply: 1) We can do whatever we want and can consent to and 2) be reasonable. In emergencies and cases of Exceptionally Outrageous Behavior, such as violence, the reasonable fear or expectation of violence, or other imminent threats to the safety and security of residents of Acorn this policy can be temporarily circumvented. This policy and framework should never be fully abandoned though. The emergency should be managed, for instance by relocating the perpetrator or victim of violence to a safe space, and then the following policy should be followed as closely as possible.
General Process for Resolving/Addressing Concerns (which can manifest as conflict):
1) The person holding the concern should seek out the person they are concerned with to attempt to resolve their concern directly.
2) If this is not reasonable or fails to resolve the concern, the people involved should find a mutually agreeable mediator to help them resolve the concern.
3) If this is not reasonable or fails to resolve the concern, the people involved should bring their concern to the group to help them resolve it.
4) If this is not reasonable or fails to resolve the concern, a member can propose that an outside facilitator be found to help us resolve the concern.
Acorn has a commitment to interpersonal process which means that we expect members to work earnestly to resolve concerns and conflicts with each other (see the Communications Covenant) and that the community as a whole takes responsibility for and has an interest in facilitating the interpersonal work and conflict resolution necessary to achieve harmony in the community.
The following list describes different classes of resident at Acorn and sets down the minimum process to follow once a concern or conflict reaches the community meeting (step 3 above). As with all meeting agenda items, conversations that might result in some community action (like expulsion) should be placed on the agenda a few days in advance and people who have a particular interest in the focus person should be informed about the topic so that they can be sure to be in attendance or to at least speak with someone who can be a proxy for them.
Trial Period
Def: Interns and visitors who have yet to complete their first clearness and guests, LEXers, and other non-members not expected to do clearnesses who have been here for 1 month or less. This process applies to the continued residency decision that is considered at an intern's 1 month clearness.
Minimum Group Process: The group will consider and attempt to resolve concerns. Consensus on some course of action can be reached at any time but if the conversation continues for over an hour any member can call for a test of consensus and, if there is not consensus for the focus person to remain at Acorn they will be asked to leave. There is no requirement that the focus person be present for this discussion but there is no prohibition either. The group should design whatever process it feels is appropriate for the situation. Full attendance or consideration of the membership is not required but folks who have a special interest in the focus person should be forewarned or contacted for politeness' sake.
Expulsion Test: Trial Period residents remain in residence contingent upon the continuing consent of the membership. When their continued residency is questioned they will be asked to leave if the membership cannot reach consensus around continuing their residency.
Non-Member Long Term Resident
Def: Interns who have completed their first clearness or guests, LEXers, and other non-members not expected to do clearnesses who have been in residence for longer than 1 month.
Minimum Group Process: The group will consider and attempt to resolve concerns. The group can stop the process and make a decision at any time but any member can insist on at least two discussions at two different meetings of at least 2 hours each. After this minimum has been met, any member can call for a test of consensus and, if there is not consensus for the focus person to remain at Acorn they will be asked to leave. The focus person must be present and involved for some portion of these discussions so that they have a chance to bring their perspective, answer questions, and respond to statements. They can be excluded from the decision making part of the discussion. Other discursive space without them can be made upon the group's discretion. All members must be either present for or consulted about the final decision. Members who were not able to attend the decision and disagree with the outcome can insist upon a reconsideration of that decision at the next meeting they are able to attend. This reconsideration discussion is protected for 30 minutes.
Expulsion Test: Non-Member Long Term Residents remain in residence contingent upon the continuing consent of the membership. When their continued residency is questioned they will be asked to leave if the membership cannot reach consensus around continuing their residency.
Associate/Special Friend
Def: See Associate/Special Friend policy
Process: Same as Provisional Member
Provisional Member
Def: A member who has not yet been accepted for Full Membership. This process also applies to a Provisional Member's Full Membership Clearness.
Minimum Group Process: The group will consider and attempt to resolve concerns. The group expects a similar effort to compromise and resolve concerns be made by the member with concerns as by the member they have concerns with. The group can stop the process and make a decision at any time but any member can insist on at least two discussions at two different meetings of at least 3 hours each and at least two outside-of-meeting attempts at resolution such as a behavior contract or a round of mediated conversations between parties in conflict. After this minimum has been met, any Full Member can call for a test of consensus and, if there is not consensus among the Full Members for the focus person to remain at Acorn they will be asked to leave. The focus person must be present and involved for some portion of these discussions so that they have a chance to bring their perspective, answer questions, and respond to statements. They can be excluded from the decision making part of the discussion. Other discursive space without them can be made upon the group's discretion. All members must be either present for or consulted about the final decision. Members who were not able to attend the decision and disagree with the outcome can insist upon a reconsideration of that decision at the next meeting they are able to attend. This reconsideration discussion is protected for 1 hour. Members who know they are interested but are not able to attend any relevant discussion can postpone the discussion but at most 2 weeks without group consent. Members with restrictive schedules should make an effort to find and prepare a proxy so as not to overly complicate meeting scheduling.
Expulsion Test: Provisional Members remain in residence contingent upon the continuing consent of the Full Members. When their continued residency is questioned they will be asked to leave if the Full Members cannot reach consensus around continuing their residency.
Full Member
Def: Any member who has been accepted as a Full Member.
Minimum Group Process: Same as the process for Provisional Members.
Expulsion Test: Full Members can only be expelled by a consensus-minus-one decision of the Full Members. The minus-one person is supposed to be the focus person. Lovers, partners, and family of the focus person must stand aside from the decision due to their near inevitable bias and loyalties but are not expected to exclude themselves from rest of the process.
What does “asked to leave” mean?
When a resident is asked to leave or their residency is terminated they will be given a grace period to get their affairs in order and arrange their exit according to the following table:
Trial Period: 1 week
Non-Member Long Term Resident: 2 weeks
Provisional Member: 3 weeks
Full Member: 4 weeks
The expelled resident can ask for an extension but must include reasons for granting the extension and they must propose a schedule for their departure. Once either the default grace period or the extension is exceeded the community can file a trespassing charge against an expelled ex-resident who refuses to leave. If a charge is filed the community will designate a member as the police liaison so as to avoid confusion.
