Two boys from the SOS Sunny Days program enjoy the arts and crafts they have created.

1. Our primary commitment is to learn from each other, from materials, and from our work. We acknowledge and respect differences amongst us in skills, interests, values, education, experience and culture.



2. We are committed to creating a safe atmosphere for open discussion.



3. We are free to share information about ourselves with each other as we see fit. We will not demean, devalue, or "put down" people for their experiences or lack thereof.



4. We acknowledge that one of the meanings of a dominant culture is that we have been systematically taught misinformation regarding our own groups and especially regarding members of devalued groups and populations of color. (This is true for both dominant and dominated group members.) The same is true about other "isms," or forms of oppression; we were taught misinformation about ourselves and others regarding forms of difference and discrimination.



5. We cannot be blamed for the misinformation we have heard but we will be held responsible for behaving in discriminatory ways after we have learned otherwise.



6. We acknowledge that racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, ableism, classism, and other forms of discrimination exist and are likely to surface from time to time, and we will address them directly, respectfully, and promptly.



7. We will trust in people's commitment to learn and behave the best they can, both to learn the material and to behave in non-racist, non-classist, non-sexist, non-heterosexist, and multiculturally productive ways.



8. We will not blame the oppressed for their oppressions.



9. We will actively pursue opportunities to learn about our own groups and those of others, yet not invade others' privacy when unwanted.



10. We will combat the myths and stereotypes about our own groups and other groups to remove barriers to inter-group enrichment and cooperation.

For the above statements "we" refer to "we, as an agency and as individuals." Adapted from guidelines initially developed by Lynn Weber Cannon, Professor of Sociology, Memphis State University. Revised: February 3, 2005, by SOS Community Services Diversity Team