2022 Community Agreement
At Blue Mountain Center, the safety and well-being of everyone in our community is our foremost concern. As we bring together people with diverse experiences, we invite everyone to come with a spirit of humility, curiosity and generosity. We recognize that being in this community for a month is vulnerable, risky, and rewarding. As a guest at BMC, you are now a participant in our community and will be entrusted with and held accountable to the agreements below.
These community guidelines are based on our institutional principles and input from participants to promote an environment of safety and restoration for all, while also clarifying our expectations for each other. It is a document that remains responsive to new experiences, feedback, and criticism, as we grow into a mutually-dignified, diverse community. Following these guidelines is required of everyone who shares the BMC space. Those who fail to follow these guidelines may be asked to leave.
Agreements
Honor personal space, belongings, and communicated boundaries of interaction.
Practice care and consent in relationships, interactions, and in using community spaces.
Respect the buildings, grounds and natural community that make up and surround BMC.
Refrain from harmful speech.
To not misuse intoxicants in ways that put oneself or others in harmful situations.
Respect and practice not assuming each others’ identities and abilities.
Be willing to be held accountable for perceived transgressions or actual harm.
Uphold confidentiality - keeping personal information and shared work in the space unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Agreement Violations
Verbal harassment, especially when it asserts power-over relationship and/or is discriminatory.
Deliberate intimidation, bullying and/or stalking, and any other behavior which is likely to cause alarm or distress.
Photography or recording without consent.
Physical harassment or inappropriate / unwanted physical contact (this includes any form of physical touch).
Unwelcome sexual or other personal attention.
Endangering the safety of yourself or others through irresponsible, violent and/or intoxicated behavior.
If you experience any violations of the agreements above and desire support, seek our Director Ben Strader or an onsite program staff person who will prioritize addressing the matter immediately. If you feel safe doing so, we also encourage direct, honest communication between individuals that sets boundaries and/or addresses previous or ongoing harmful impacts. One week into your residency, you will have an opportunity for a check in with a staff member to make sure you feel welcome and supported and address any needs you may have. During that check in we invite your We invite your feedback on this evolving agreement. Thank you for taking the time to read these guidelines, and for your presence in this community.