A Refresher On Rule 1 in GS. (Be Respectful)
Hello everyone! Recently I have been speaking with other Group Support leaders and we've collectively decided that as a whole we could use a refresher on the rules of Group Support. I notice that sometimes things are confusing and that sometimes we are not entirely sure what the rules are, so I decided I will be rolling out a series of posts on the rules of the Group Support rooms every week.
This week we will be discussing Rule 1.
Be Respectful: This a place for kind, supportive, open-minded conversations only.
So.
What does this mean?
Essentially what this rule is asking is that everyone in the rooms is kind to each other, even despite differences you may have with others. For example, if you are in the community rooms, there are people who come there from all walks of life. You may not agree with someone or how they live, but it's important to make sure that you are not talking down to someone because of it. 7cups is a supportive resource that welcomes people as long as they agree to respect everyone whether they are a Mod, RS, Listener, or Member.
Why is this rule important?
This rule is important because it helps how 7cups functions as a whole.. If there is no respect it can make people feel uncomfortable being in the rooms, and can make the platform feel unwelcoming which is definitely not what we hope to accomplish here. In life sometimes you may not always have the same viewpoints or beliefs as someone, but that doesn't mean that they are wrong or are not worthy of respect.
Last minute thoughts
If you are having trouble following this rule in the rooms please do not engage in confrontation or fights, you can always use your personal mute buttons or take a step back and participate in self care offsite.
@kindSoul10 , @ASilentObserver
@AlwaysEli
👍
@AlwaysEli Agreed. Thanks for the refresher 
Thank you for the refresher Eli.
Asher, Academy Mentor Leader
@AlwaysEli thank you for the refresher <3 <3 c: it's definitely a very important rule
@AlwaysEli Thanks for this, my friend.
It is always good to review the rules.
Thanks for all you do, here at 7cups.
Your Friend,
Happy
@AlwaysEli
This is great. A refresher is always great. Thank you⚘
@AlwaysEli ty eli happy to see this
Agreed! Thanks a ton
I try to keep this mind, but what do you do when a member just keeps harassing you. Like this one guy is mad cause a convo got deleted. Im not even sure what he s talking about or how that even happened, anyways hes been sending threats so i blocked him...i guess thats the same as muting
@PoetByTheSea
my situation is...I do not log/come onto 7 cups too often so personally, it is easier for me to 'detract'
..I hear you when you brought up muting and blocking as avenues and I totally agree but in my case my saving-graces is being able to come into 7 cups sparodically ...very much reduced duration than before..
that means not having volunteer roles or volunteering my time in any other ways
...I know site is kept going with volunteers giving up time freely
but putting in time...to me means I 'get embroiled' and hence whenever anyone 'starts harrass', antagonizes or get unruly, it becomes difficult for me to walk away.
just my two cents guys...not trying to "bring down the site" but to share my saving graces - ...is being 'detached enough' that we can talk about matters so deep and so personal to our lives....without getting hurt.
That said, I do not think muting, blocking (or in my case - logging off) are appropriate responses that Organizations ought have ..towards Abuse.
To spearhead, organize or set up a collective-group is to set up a tone.
If anyone is being abusive, the tone of the group is to address the abuse - ..and to not swept under rugs as sweeping-under-rugs IS
one reason for the mass suffering we witness, this age.
@AlwaysEli
*high fives*
and well done my friend! 
This truly is a wonderful forum post! I simply love how you started at the very beginning, rule 1 and so, it appears as if to me, if we all understand rule 1 then it's easier for all of the other rules to fall into place and quite easily. (Any confusion about other rules, simply refer back to rule 1, lol )
I agree, it really does start with this one simple rule! Approach one another in an effort of kindness, respect one another, approach one another with the intent to be of service to one another. I agree with you also that this is truly getting back to basics and is one of the cornerstones of the 7 cups value system! High expectations and High Warmth!
I also agree with you that there is a great deal of diversity here on 7 cups. Some people "choose" to allow that to be a source of conflict. For me, I'm not "down with that". I see the diversity here on 7 cups as a beautiful thing. Can't remember the last stats but I thought last I heard we are able to reach over 186 countries and over 146 languages. Its a great place to be and to learn and share ideas with one another. To learn someone elses perspective and someone elses culture. It only makes us better as people if you ask me. And interacting in this way educates us and enables us to give the best possible support and care for our members. "First seek to understand and only then, to be understood".
In addition, there are people that come here that have not been heard, have been marginalized, have been misunderstood and mistreated horribly. This is supposed to be the soft spot for us all to land and to not perpetuate it all.
Rock on Eli, Rock on! 
