Welcome to the 2024 Law and Organizing Academy (LOA)—we are so excited to be together!
LOA can be an intense experience. Most of us have never met, and yet are about to engage in deep learning and community-building while also living, eating, and sleeping together for four days. To help us make this experience meaningful, valuable, and safe for everyone, this code of conduct lays out some basic guidelines for our collective environment while at the Borden Estate.
We will have some time to discuss this as a group together and incorporate your input, after which we will ask you to please sign your name below. If you experience any unwelcome conduct or any harmful violations of the code of conduct during LOA, please let Talia (781-475-4064) and/or Daniela (305-498-6217) know.
Treat each other with care and respect.
- Please approach group discussions and one-on-one conversations with care and respect.
- Not everyone has had the same exposure to different ideas we will cover during LOA; please be generous with your intentions, comments, and tone, and be respectful of differences of opinion and background. Please avoid assuming you know where someone is coming from or what experiences they have had.
- Consider “stepping up” and/or “stepping back” in group conversations. Certain voices should not dominate the discussion, especially along axes of identity and structural oppression. If you are having trouble entering the conversation, remember that your perspective is valuable; if you are experiencing specific barriers to your full participation, please feel free to discuss with a staff member.
- Interpersonal respect includes referring to each other with correct names, pronunciation, and pronouns to the best of your ability. Please make every effort to do so, acknowledge and apologize when you make mistakes, and assume the best intentions of others if they make mistakes.
- Harassment of any form is unacceptable. Please be mindful of how your behavior might be reinforcing structures of domination along lines of race, class, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size and shape, age, religion, and relationship status.
- Always seek consent before physically touching another person. Unwelcome physical contact is unacceptable. Please do not photograph, video, or record anyone or any discussion during LOA, nor post to social media, without the consent of everyone present.
- If you are not feeling well or if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms during your time at LOA, please immediately alert a staff member and isolate in your room. If you must be around others while experiencing symptoms, please wear a mask. Staff members will provide you with a COVID test, find alternate housing for your roommates, and help provide you with care as needed.
Treat the work with care and respect.
- This academy requires deep engagement with heavy subject matter, including many forms of systemic oppression that do not affect all of us equally. Please take care of yourself and be mindful to step outside and take breaks or alone time in your room as needed.
- We know that LOA comes on the heels of finals period and, this year in particular, after a very tough semester and year. However, we believe that LOA is most rewarding when you are able to engage deeply with the material. Additionally, staff and faculty have put many hours of care and thought into the curriculum, reading list, and pedagogy for this week. Please do your best to show up, fully engage with the material, and be present to the best of your ability.
Treat the space with care and respect.
- We have an amazing chef and catering team with us for LOA. Please be respectful of their labor and contribution. There is no wait staff or bus staff; you are in charge of properly disposing of any dishes you use.
- All paper dishes are biodegradable - please dispose of all your paper goods by tossing them in the appropriate receptacle for trash or recycling. Bins will be in the dining room and outside.
- Please help us be respectful guests at the Borden Estate.
- Food and beverages should be consumed in the Mansion dining rooms or outside on the designated patio area. If you take drinks to the Barn meeting space, please make sure any beverages have lids and make sure to throw away any food or trash in the trash cans.
- Only vegetarian food (no meat) may be eaten inside the Mansion.
- Please leave bathrooms and your bedroom in the same condition as when you arrived.
- Please be mindful of dirty shoes and mud while indoors, especially in the Mansion.
- Please be mindful of your substance use while at LOA.
- There is no smoking or vaping permitted inside any of the buildings. If you are going to smoke or vape, do so outside and a good distance (at least 20 feet) away from any building. Please dispose of any butts in the designated cigarette receptacles.
- Beer and wine will be served with dinner. Please be respectful with your alcohol and other substance use and mindful of the group environment.
Thank you to each one of you for helping us create a community of care and respect during LOA 2024!
