KivaFriends is a diverse and vibrant community. While discussions here sometimes get passionate, and we sometimes disagree, this forum generally runs more smoothly than many similar discussion sites, with only occasional difficulties and hurt feelings. Our goal should be to eliminate these difficulties, and certainly the hurt feelings, altogether. It is worth taking a moment to consider the underlying principles from which we all agree to operate when we act as part of the KivaFriends community. Some time ago, former moderator RichardF drafted an excellent
list of "Guiding Principles" as a starting point for these basic understandings, and we thank him for that push-start. The current moderating team (
Peter,
Wolfgang,
Kerry, and
me) has taken that original list and modified and expanded it into what we hope will become a working set of KivaFriends Guiding Principles. We present our work to you here, and have created a
discussion thread where we welcome comments and suggestions: these guidelines are a work-in-progress and have not been brought down from the mountain on tablets of stone. While documents "written by committee" are often disjointed or unfocused and it would be tedious to debate every single word, we hope you will participate in shaping this statement and that it will become accepted by community consensus as it evolves.
We recognize that most KivaFriends do not actually need these reminders, because they are by nature polite, generous, constructive, slow to censure others, and willing to listen to what others have to say. Most of us have internalized these qualities and practices, and operate from them already, here at KivaFriends and in the world around us. But it is useful to have guidelines such as these posted on the forum, where newcomers can review them, and where all of us can occasionally reread them, reminding ourselves of what's important in our interactions with each other. As the forum evolves over time, these guidelines can and should be reviewed and refreshed.
Herewith, our suggested list of KivaFriends Guiding Principles. Thank you for your anticipated
constructive comments and suggestions.
--Diane, for the moderating team.
KivaFriends Guiding PrinciplesThe
KivaFriends.org Terms of Use & Registration Agreement clearly spells out what is expected of those who participate here. Here are some Guiding Principles which we all should abide by as we post here as part of a world-wide interest community.
Above all else, it’s about the Kiva entrepreneursThis principle in a nutshell: While KivaFriends is a community for lenders, by lenders, it would not exist if it were not for the Kiva entrepreneurs. Because of this, all interactions on KivaFriends must be conducted with the best interests of the entrepreneurs at heart. At the same time, Kiva, its field partners and lenders all play critical and valued roles in helping to improve the lives and businesses of the entrepreneurs. They also deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
While humor and light-heartedness are welcome, and can often serve to defuse an escalating conflict situation, we should remember that humor is not understood the same way around the world, especially in a community like KivaFriends where English is not always the first language of the participants and where people's names, locations, and occupations should be respected and not used as a source of humor.
Assume good faithThis principle in a nutshell: Even when there may be strong evidence to the contrary, assume that people who participate in discussions are trying to contribute to them, not hurt anyone or anything related to them. If criticism is needed, discuss participants' actions, but remember that it is never necessary or productive to accuse others of harmful motives.
If you are concerned that bad faith is motivating a participant's actions, report the post you are concerned about to the moderating team using the "Report to moderator" link below any post, and trust that the moderators will take any action that is warranted. Operating from an assumption of goodness, rather than discord, will benefit everyone in the long term.
Be civilThis principle in a nutshell: Participate in a respectful and civil way. Do not ignore the positions and conclusions of others. Try to discourage others from being uncivil, and avoid upsetting other participants whenever possible.
This is not meant to discourage vigorous dissent or disagreement on the topics we discuss here, but it is meant to remind everyone that it is only when we are kind and respectful with each other that we are able to learn or accomplish anything together. The language you use to explain your points is important; please choose your words with care and spend a moment imagining how others will react to them before you click the Post button. If you see something that you feel crosses a line it is better to report the post to the moderators using the "Report to moderator" link than to escalate the discussion on your own. Remember that it is possible to disagree without being disagreeable. In the words of President Obama, "Instead of pumping up the volume, spend a little more time listening to each other."
No personal attacksThis principle in a nutshell: Comment on content, not on the contributor.
It is never acceptable to insult or attack someone who posts here. If you feel angry about a post someone has made, ask yourself if it is the content you object to, or the way it was presented. If you can respond to the message without attacking the person who wrote it, by all means do so. If you feel the presentation was over the line, consider reporting it to the moderating team for consideration. There are several ways to review your own reply to be sure you are not posting a personal attack. Draft a response, then save it; come back a few hours later, or the next morning, and reread it to see if it still represents what you want to say after you've had time to breathe. Read your response out loud and listen as if you were a new KivaFriend reading the message for the first time: is it what you want to say, said in the way you want it said? One rule of thumb is to think twice, post once.
Keep the forum organizedThis principle in a nutshell: Add to an ongoing discussion rather than start a new thread. And one post is enough.
KivaFriends as a discussion site keeps growing quickly, and that's great. But this also poses challenges when trying to keep up with the posts or to locate a thread or post. Posting multiple copies of a message in different parts of the forum, making multiple successive posts in a thread instead of one longer post, starting a new thread when the post fits into an existing thread, and completely changing the "Subject" line within a thread tend to artificially inflate the forum and the number of "recent posts", obscure the continuity of discussions, and make posts harder to locate. Sometimes it may be appropriate and even important to re-post or in the interest of clarity to start a new thread: use your common sense. When starting a new thread think about where on the board a new member would look for that thread and give it a descriptive subject title.
Focus on Kiva projectsThis principle in a nutshell: The KivaFriends forum exists to bring together Kiva lenders to discuss issues related to microfinance, loans found on Kiva, and related topics. The main focus of discussions here must be those issues; fundraising or other solicitation activities should be sent to the moderating team for approval before posting. Such activities as well as pointers and links to sites asking for loans, grants, or donations not related to Kiva or Kiva entrepreneurs should be minimized.
As we have seen over and over again, KivaFriends are nothing if not generous beyond words. There are many worthy causes which each of us believes in, which we may yearn to share with the like-minded friends we have made here. While pointers to other lending and philanthropic sites will be allowed and appreciated, please be careful to keep the volume of such posts to a minimum. Avoid explicitly asking KivaFriends for contributions to non-Kiva-related efforts, thanking specific KivaFriends for prior contributions, repeatedly posting about the same project, making multiple posts about deadlines or current amounts raised or needed, or anything else that might make members feel pushed or compelled to contribute. Group dynamics can put undue pressure on readers; posting one or two mentions of a site, cause, or project about which you are passionate should be sufficient. Remember that this is not an all-purpose philanthropic fundraising site, but rather a site devoted to Kiva and microfinance. Posting entire loan or funding descriptions from other sites detracts from the focus on Kiva, and should be avoided.
Dispute resolution is respectfulThis principle in a nutshell: Dispute resolution processes will treat all parties with dignity and respect.
The best way to alert the volunteer moderating team to a post or issue of concern is to click the "Report to moderator" link in small type at the bottom right of a post. Using this reporting method will ensure that your concern is marked appropriately and sent to all of the moderators for consideration. The moderating team, while volunteers, does respect your concern and tries to respond promptly. Under most conditions, you may expect a confirmation of your post report from a moderator within 12 hours (and usually much sooner), after which you might not be contacted again directly. The moderating team will discuss reported posts and issues on the mod-only board and will act appropriately, although the resolution may not be one you are completely happy with. The team will probably not have the time to conduct a private PM discussion with you about the issue; please trust that the team is trying its best to find respectful resolutions to the concerns brought forward, and remember that the team comprises individuals who have their own lives outside of KivaFriends. The moderating team also deserves respect, so if you have an issue with anything they have done or not done, please take it up with them in private rather than in forum posts.
