7 Cups Behavior Reporting Process & Tracking - Updated Version

All,

The post below outlines an updated behavior reporting process! We had originally launched this in 2016 and we are now updating it and re-emphasizing it as we move forward. Our objective to streamline the process and keep you well informed. Not many people struggle with a number of behavior points, but for people that do, we want to ensure that you can take steps to improve your behavior and be part of the community.

We are figuring out the best ways to manage unhelpful & un-supportive behaviors on 7 Cups. Once you have reviewed the entire post, please ask any questions or share your constructive thoughts.

This process is designed to provide you an opportunity to improve. We do not have any intentions to punish anyone but we do need to keep people accountable for their behavior. It is your community and how you behave, impacts it as well. Our purpose is to provide a better help & support and compassionate environment to all.

We all want to be part of a community that fosters high warmth and high expectations. It is the best way to lead a community because everyone deserves support and compassion.

Growing a plant, for example, requires a lot of effort, care, and the right treatment. Not every plant growth is similar but the basic process is somewhat the same. Suitable environment, the right proportion of soil, water, sunlight. Knowing the right conditions is significant for a seed to grow into a beautiful plant.

Similarly for a community:

If you have high warmth but low expectations, then structure or its culture is low.

If you have low warmth and high expectations, then it has a structure, but limited reliability and safety.

If you have low warmth and low expectations, then neither has a structure nor culture.

If you have high warmth and high expectations, it has structure and reliability and safety.

So here we are focused on providing both so that the community can have increased trust, support, culture, safety, and compassion.

A few points to keep in mind when reading the below:

• We believe in second chances. We know and understand no one is perfect and can improve. But, we need to understand when you have an opportunity to improve, you strive to improve and show that you improved. Value the opportunities you have.
• We believe in inclusivity. We welcome all constructive feedback. Because we are also not perfect and striving to improve. Feedback is a two-way process. Ensure to provide feedback in a compassionate, constructive, and respectful manner.
• We believe in accountability. Everyone is responsible and accountable for their actions. Because action has a reaction and impacts someone. We are in a community setup, so how you act impacts community activities. If you are supportive, the activities flow in a positive way. If you act unsupportive, the activity flow gets interrupted.
• We believe transparency is helpful. As a community member, it is your right to know what is happening with the reports and how it gets processed. So, we want to provide better transparency in our actions in this system. However, there are also natural limitations too. We will not be able to share or disclose in detail with the community at large things that are happening on an individual basis. Because a wise person said, Praise in public, criticize in private. We want to give everyone a second chance to improve and feel encouraged to improve.

The below behavior rating system has been specifically designed to meet the community's needs. We considered all inputs and tried to include all that was feasible to add. As you review this post, please remember this is a work in progress and always be updated as per the community's needs.

Please share all constructive feedback, inputs, and ideas on what is missing or what does not make sense and what can be done.

Introduction

The aim of this guide is to provide information and to help you understand how the Behavioral Points System would work.

What is the Behavioral Rating System?

It is a process we would be used to assign points based on the infractions they did in the community at a point in time. Every time, they commit a violation, they will be getting points assigned and informed through email so they know what violations they did, and what points assigned to them for the violations. So they can have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes they made and improve. But if they do not improve and they cross the threshold, they will face consequences.

This is modeled after other point systems like having a driving license in the US. If a person drives in a safe and smart manner (they are a good member), then they will receive no points. If they drive through stop signs, then they get a point. If they drive dangerously, then they get more points. If a person accrues enough points, then they are required to go to driving school. If they still do not improve then they can lose their license and no longer drive.

It is a systematic process where all reports will be included for a user.

How does it work?

• The system will be applicable to both listeners and members.
• Each behavior report or flagged forum thread will be evaluated using the below point criteria. Points are cumulative.
• Each point expires 6 months after it was earned.
• If no reports within three months from the date of action, an 80% reduction in the points. Note: One can be able to apply for a leadership role. This includes Mentor roles, teen star, group mod, peer support, and project agent roles.
• If zero reports within a month from the date of action, 40% reduction in the behavior score.

Applicability of the system:

The process will be applicable moving forward. It won't consider past reports. Except for the reports which are severe. It will be up to the Community Management Teams' decision for those reports.

How reports are filed?

Reports filed via specific behavior reports:

The incoming report will be reviewed by the concerned team. It will be reviewed for accuracy and if one of the below behaviors is identified the following actions will be taken:

The authority sends a warning message to the reported user letting them know about the report. If the user would like to provide their side of the story, they will be invited to do that.

Point(s) will be assigned if the user assumes responsibility for the action and agrees that it happened. The authority will let the user know the point has been assigned.

If the user does not accept responsibility for the behavior and the evidence that the behavior did occur is clear, point(s) will be assigned.

It is requested of all reporters that they submit relevant screenshots to prove their accusations for a user.

All points will be tallied and tracked on the community management team's backend panel. Dates will be logged to monitor the timing.

Please click here for more information on how to provide constructive feedback.

You can learn more about triangulation here

Learn more about rumors spreading here.
Learn what open communication is here.

Important Notes: �

All the behaviors identified above are common behavior identified in the specific areas. Though, if the same behavior is found in other parts of the community as well, the points and consequences will be applicable.

Zero Points Behavior. They are applicable for the first instance only. If the behavior continues, the points will be assigned according to the severity of the reported behavior.

Except for a few specific behaviors that are subjected only to listeners. All other behaviors are subject to both listeners and members of the community.

Adult Teen Listeners- In case of violations, the badge and access will be removed instantly.

Below you will find the corresponding consequences of the above behaviors.

Red Flag Offenses: �

Forum Spam - If you are repeatedly spamming the forums with inappropriate content or advertisements you or your account may be removed

Post inappropriate or graphic pictures, your account will be removed

Sexting and/or repeatedly sexting (after a given warning not to) will result in account removal

Underage or in the wrong age community (you must be 15 to be a listener & 13 to be a member)

Red Flag Consequences: Immediate removal from 7 Cups community

Protocol on Getting Support from a community leader:

If you are having a problem, you may approach a community leader for support on how to manage that situation. However, please refrain from telling them specific details. As a general rule when communicating with community leaders: we should avoid using names and specific details about a person or a given situation. For example, if you are having a conflict with another listener. You could go to the community leader and say I am struggling with a difficult situation. Could you give me some tips on how to use conflict resolution? In this example, no specific details are mentioned, but you are still able to ask for help as you work through a difficult situation.

Footnote:
The protocols are similar to earlier ones and shared from the previous update with few changes.

Updated the constructive feedback point in accordance with the new forum guideline on Sep 23, 2020 - Hope

Link here to Heather's clarification post on BPS https://www.7cups.com/forum/SiteUpdates_100/HsHangout_1970/SomeclarificationonLLReports_230570/

Guidelines with better view available in the Community Guidelines page, Click here

[edited by MistyMagic to remove scripts and add in H's post 30 Oct 2020]