Doing Hard Things With Friends: Conduct & Safety Agreement

10 books stacked below a mug.

Purpose 

The goal of Doing Hard Things With Friends is to build a thoughtful, welcoming space where people from all backgrounds can explore difficult questions about global health, justice, and care. We are committed to creating a space that reflects PIH Canada’s values: one that is grounded in respect, empathy, and shared responsibility. 

This agreement outlines the expectations for everyone participating in the reading club, as well as the consequences of unacceptable behaviour. It applies to all in-person and virtual gatherings, as well as follow-up communication before and after each session. 

We welcome participants of all identities and backgrounds, including but not limited to: race, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, age, ability, and lived experience. 

1. Expected Behaviour 

Participants in Doing Hard Things with Friends are expected to: 

  • Show up in good faith and be open-minded.
  • Exercise respect and care in speech and actions.
  • Stay curious and resist the need to be “right.”
  • Acknowledge and listen across differences.
  • Ask questions with humility.
  • Follow facilitator instructions and honour group norms.
  • Let others speak. Take space and make space. 

If a reading or discussion feels difficult, we invite you to stay with that feeling and reflect on why. 

2. Unacceptable Behaviour 

Unacceptable behaviour includes (but is not limited to): 

  • Harassment, hate speech, or discriminatory language
  • Interrupting, belittling, or speaking over others
  • Dismissing lived experience
  • Derailing conversations or intentionally causing harm
  • Sharing session content or participant stories without consent
  • Violating another participant’s privacy, identity, or safety
  • Showing up intoxicated or engaging in disruptive conduct (in person or online) 

Harassment includes any verbal, written, or physical behaviour that reinforces systems of oppression, including racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and misogyny. 

3. Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour 

Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated. 

Participants who engage in behaviour that violates this agreement may be: 

  • Muted or removed from virtual sessions
  • Asked to leave in-person events
  • Temporarily suspended from future participation
  • Permanently removed from the club 

These decisions are made at the discretion of PIHC staff. We will always prioritize the safety and dignity of the group. 

4. If You Witness or Experience Harm 

If you witness or experience behaviour that causes harm, whether during a session or afterward, please reach out to the club coordinator. Reports can be made confidentially and will be taken seriously. 

We will follow up and, when appropriate, offer space for dialogue, repair, or follow-up support. 

5. Addressing Concerns or Grievances 

If you feel that you’ve been unfairly accused of violating this agreement, you may contact the reading club lead with a brief explanation. We are committed to handling concerns with fairness and transparency. 

6. Scope 

This agreement applies to all reading club activities, including Zoom chats, discussion groups, email follow-ups, and in-person events. 

It also applies to one-on-one interactions between participants and staff when connected to the club environment. 

7. Contact Information 

To report concerns or ask questions about this agreement, please contact: 
Crysta, PIHC Reading Club Coordinator  
cmontiel@pih.org