Preamble

As members of the OlyBlog community, we acknowledge our mutual responsibility for maintaining conditions under which communication can flourish - conditions characterized by openness, honesty, civility and fairness. These conditions carry with them certain rights and responsibilities, expressed in this Social Contract, a document that will define and guide the blog's values and operation from this time forward. The Social Contract is an agreement; a guide for civility and tolerance toward others; a reminder that respecting others and remaining open to others and their ideas is an essential ingredient for successful community building. By registering for an account on OlyBlog, individuals agree to abide by this contract.

The Social Contract

OlyBlog is a self-organizing community that offers an alternative civic forum for the discussion of news and events in Olympia, Washington. OlyBlog can thrive only if members respect the rights of others while enjoying their own rights. Members of the community may differ widely in their specific interests, in the degree and kinds of experiences they bring to OlyBlog, and the level of involvement that they wish to undertake. All must share alike in demonstrating intellectual honesty, in responsibly obtaining and providing full and accurate information, and in resolving differences through a process with a strong will to collaboration.

The individual members of the OlyBlog community are responsible for protecting each other and visitors to the blog from uncivil abuse and personal threats. Civility is not just a word; it must be present in all our interactions. Members of the community must be allowed to exercise the rights accorded them to voice their opinions with respect to basic matters of policy and other issues.

The practice of communication without the benefit of face-to-face interaction poses certain unique challenges. In order to address these challenges, members of OlyBlog agree to the following practices:

1. Publish as fact only that which you believe to be true.
2. If material exists online, link to it when you reference it.
3. Publicly correct any misinformation.
4. Write each entry as if it could not be changed; add to, but do not rewrite or delete, any entry.
5. Disclose any conflict of interest.
6. Note questionable and biased sources.

As participants in the human activity of communication, we also acknowledge and value the use of humor as an important component of building a community. However, given that humor is highly subjective, there is the possibility of misunderstanding and conflict. The use of humor does not absolve an individual from their responsibility to protect other members from uncivil behavior.

An essential condition for community is the freedom and right on the part of an individual or group to express minority, unpopular, or controversial points of view. Only if minority and unpopular points of view are tolerated and given opportunity for expression will OlyBlog provide bona fide opportunities for significant consciousness raising. There shall be no discrimination at OlyBlog based on race, sex, age, handicap, sexual orientation, religious or political belief, or national origin in considering individuals' membership.