General Details & CoDES of Conduct

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The YLS Alumni Strengthening Democracy Network is a values-based community committed to strengthening democracy, defending institutional integrity, and upholding the rule of law. As alumni, we share not only a professional bond but also a civic responsibility. Participation in our network requires adherence to standards of respect, confidentiality, and constructive engagement. These rules safeguard the trust that allows us to convene openly, learn from one another, and contribute to the defense of democratic guardrails.

• All communications shared in events and in this group should be considered confidential and off the record.
   
• Chatham House Rule: members may share insights gained but should not attribute comments without permission.
   
• Applies to: LinkedIn & Web Portal (especially event recordings and summaries).
   

• All contributions should be consistent with our mission of strengthening democracy, defending institutional integrity, and upholding the rule of law.
   
• Applies to: LinkedIn posts, comments, and Web Portal uploads.
   

• Be kind and inclusive. Please treat everyone with respect.
   
• No hate speech, discriminatory language, harassment, misogyny, or bullying will be tolerated.
   
• Degrading comments and personal attacks on community members or others will not be tolerated.
   
• Members are expected to respect differences and not disparage any faith, ethnicity, race, or religious community.
   
• Applies to: Primarily LinkedIn, but also Web Portal event chat/Q&A and any shared resources.
   

• While members may hold diverse political views, our platform is not for partisan advocacy.
   
• This is not a policy forum or a place to debate partisan policy disagreements.
   
• Applies to: Primarily LinkedIn; Web Portal content must also avoid partisan framing.
   

• Critique ideas, not individuals. Debate is welcome where it advances understanding of democracy and the rule of law.
   
• Personal, partisan, or inflammatory exchanges will be curtailed.
   
• We expect members not to disparage or criticize each other in comments, posts, or interviews.
   
• Applies to: LinkedIn discussions, Web Portal forums, and event Q&A.
   

• This platform is not to be used for personal or commercial promotions.
   
• No spam messages will be allowed.
   
• No messages irrelevant or ancillary to the mission should be posted.
   
• Groups with a similar purpose should connect with YLS ANSD leadership for cross-promotion before posting.
   
• Applies to: Primarily LinkedIn, but also Web Portal resource uploads and event announcements.
   

• The Steering Committee reserves the right to take corrective action — including content moderation or removal of members — if conduct undermines the community’s mission or values.
   
• Failure to follow the Code of Conduct can result in members being removed from the community and posts being deleted.
   
• All LinkedIn posts will be reviewed by administrators prior to posting.
   
• Applies to: Both LinkedIn (group moderation) and Web Portal (content review).

Failure to follow the Code of Conduct can result in members being removed from the community by the administrators and posts being deleted.