Foundation

1. These sessions are designed to create and maintain a safe and supportive space for descendants to share their experiences and concerns. We ask all participants to honor confidentiality – what is shared in this space stays in this space. Please be aware that facilitators have professional obligations that may require them to act if there is concern for someone’s safety.
2. Participants are to respect each other’s personal views and experiences, recognizing that every family’s story is unique.
3. This is a space for personal sharing, not political debate. Participants are asked to refrain from sharing political views or opinions. If a comment becomes political in nature, the facilitator will gently redirect the conversation.

Speaking and Sharing

1. If you would like to share, please raise your hand and the microphone will be brought to you. Please wait until you have the microphone before speaking.
2. It is important with a group this size that people not speak out of turn but wait until a facilitator acknowledges that it is their turn.
3. Because of the numbers here, the facilitator may ask you to wrap up to give others time to speak.
4. We ask that participants listen with empathy and refrain from offering advice. This is a space to be heard and supported, not to problem-solve.
5. The last fifteen minutes of each session will be reserved to give anyone who has not yet spoken the opportunity to share.
6. You do not have to share. You are always welcome to simply listen.

Privacy

1. No audio or video recording or photography is permitted during sessions.

Resources

For those who would like to access mental health support beyond these sessions, a list of resources are available.