The Community Covenant
The Community Covenant
"How we treat each other when no one is watching"
Why This Exists
Most communities have "rules" — lists of things you can't do.
Don't spam. Don't harass. Don't be toxic.
These are necessary. But they're not sufficient.
A community isn't defined by what it prohibits. It's defined by what it cultivates.
This document describes who we aspire to be together — not the minimum acceptable behavior, but the culture we're building.
The Core Promise
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║ In this community, we promise: ║
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║ You will be treated as a human being. ║
║ Your struggles will be met with compassion. ║
║ Your questions will be answered without condescension. ║
║ Your contributions will be valued. ║
║ Your presence matters. ║
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║ If we ever fall short of this, tell us. We'll do better. ║
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The Five Commitments
1. Assume Good Faith
What it means: When someone does something that seems wrong, assume they meant well until proven otherwise.
In practice:
- That "stupid question" might be from someone genuinely confused
- That "rude message" might be from someone having a terrible day
- That "obvious mistake" might be from someone learning
The test: Before reacting to something negative, ask: "What's the most generous interpretation of this?"
Exception: Repeated, clear violations don't deserve infinite good faith. Patterns matter.
2. Welcome the Newcomer
What it means: New people are scared. They don't know the culture. They feel like imposters. Make them feel like they belong.
In practice:
- Answer "obvious" questions without sighing
- Remember you were new once
- Point to resources, don't just say "read the docs"
- Celebrate someone's first contribution
The test: "Would a new person feel welcomed or intimidated by how I'm responding?"
Why it matters: Every veteran was once a newcomer. The community that welcomes grows; the community that gatekeeps dies.
3. Lift Others Up
What it means: Your success doesn't require others' failure. Help freely.
In practice:
- Share knowledge without hoarding it
- Celebrate others' wins genuinely
- Mentor without expecting repayment
- Give credit where it's due
The test: "Am I making this person's journey easier or harder?"
The economics: In Zenpower, helping others is literally the optimal strategy (see: The Forge, Kindness Queue). But even without incentives, it's who we want to be.
4. Own Your Impact
What it means: Intent doesn't erase impact. If you hurt someone — even accidentally — you're responsible for addressing it.
In practice:
- "I didn't mean it that way" doesn't undo harm
- Apologize genuinely when you mess up
- Listen when someone says you hurt them
- Change behavior, not just words
The test: "If someone told me I hurt them, would I defend myself or try to understand?"
The hard truth: Good people can cause harm. Owning impact doesn't mean you're a bad person — it means you're a responsible one.
5. Protect the Vulnerable
What it means: Some people are more at risk than others. We stand between them and harm.
In practice:
- Call out bullying when you see it
- Report harassment (even if it's not directed at you)
- Don't punch down
- Create space for quiet voices
The test: "Would this interaction feel different if the other person had less power than me?"
Why it's a covenant: The strong protecting the weak isn't charity — it's the foundation of community.
How We Disagree
Disagreement is healthy. Conflict is sometimes necessary.
But there's a way to do it.
Disagreement Principles
| Do This | Not This |
|---|---|
| Attack ideas | Attack people |
| Assume you might be wrong | Assume certainty |
| Seek to understand first | Seek to win first |
| Focus on the issue | Make it personal |
| Allow space for changing your mind | Double down when challenged |
| End with mutual respect | End with resentment |
The Steel Man Rule
Before arguing against someone's position, state it in the strongest possible terms — better than they stated it themselves.
If you can't steel-man their argument, you don't understand it well enough to disagree.
Cooling Off
If you're angry:
- Step away
- Write a response but don't send it
- Wait at least an hour
- Reread before sending
- Ask: "Would I want to receive this message?"
What We Tolerate
Tolerance has limits. Here's what we embrace and what we don't.
We Embrace Diversity In:
- Opinions (even ones we disagree with)
- Backgrounds (every walk of life)
- Skill levels (experts and beginners)
- Communication styles (introverts and extroverts)
- Beliefs (religious, political, philosophical)
- Identities (all of them)
We Don't Tolerate:
- Harassment (of any kind)
- Discrimination (based on identity)
- Bullying (especially of newcomers or vulnerable people)
- Bad faith (deliberate manipulation)
- Exploitation (of trust, of power, of vulnerability)
The line: "Does this person's presence make others feel unsafe?"
If yes, action is required.
Enforcement Philosophy
Anarchy With Ethics
We believe in freedom. We also believe in responsibility.
"Anarchy" doesn't mean "no consequences." It means:
- Self-governance over external control
- Community standards over corporate rules
- Reputation over punishment
- Restoration over exile
The Escalation Ladder
| Level | Response | For What |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gentle reminder | First-time minor issues |
| 2 | Direct conversation | Repeated minor issues |
| 3 | Mediation | Conflict between members |
| 4 | Temporary restriction | Serious or repeated violations |
| 5 | Community review | Pattern of harm |
| 6 | Permanent exile | Unrepentant, severe harm |
Level 6 is rare. We believe in redemption. But some actions exhaust good faith.
The Redemption Path
If you've been sanctioned:
- Acknowledge what happened (genuinely)
- Understand the impact
- Make amends where possible
- Demonstrate changed behavior over time
- Request review
We believe people can change. The covenant isn't about perfection — it's about growth.
For Different Roles
If You're New
- Ask questions freely — that's how everyone learns
- Don't apologize for not knowing things
- Introduce yourself if you're comfortable
- Observe the culture before jumping in
- You belong here already
If You're Experienced
- Remember being new
- Answer questions you've seen before with patience
- Mentor actively (it helps both of you)
- Model the behavior you want to see
- Your example shapes the culture
If You're a Leader
- You're held to a higher standard
- Your words carry more weight — use them carefully
- Admit mistakes publicly
- Protect your community members
- Lead by lifting others, not by authority
If You're the Prophet
- You follow these rules like everyone else
- Your white jumpsuit is the same as everyone's
- You have more responsibility, not more privilege
- When you fail, you acknowledge it publicly
- The community doesn't serve you — you serve it
The Culture We're Building
What You'll Experience Here
- Questions met with helpfulness, not gatekeeping
- Mistakes met with support, not shame
- Disagreements met with curiosity, not hostility
- Newcomers met with warmth, not suspicion
- Struggles met with compassion, not judgment
What We Measure
Not engagement metrics. Not retention numbers.
We measure:
- How do people feel when they leave an interaction?
- Do newcomers stay?
- Do people ask for help when they need it?
- Do conflicts get resolved or fester?
- Is the community growing healthier, not just bigger?
The 20-Year Vision
In 20 years, we want someone to join and think:
"This is different. People here actually care about each other."
That's the culture we're building. Every interaction either moves us toward it or away from it.
When Things Go Wrong
If You've Been Harmed
- You're not alone
- It's not your fault
- Report it — we take this seriously
- You'll be supported, not interrogated
- Your safety matters more than our reputation
If You've Caused Harm
- Stop immediately
- Listen to the impact
- Apologize genuinely (without "but")
- Make amends if possible
- Change the behavior going forward
If You Witness Harm
- Don't be a bystander
- Support the person being harmed
- Report what you saw
- Follow up — show you care
The Covenant
This isn't a legal document. It's a promise we make to each other.
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║ I covenant with this community: ║
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║ To assume good faith until proven otherwise. ║
║ To welcome newcomers as I wish I had been welcomed. ║
║ To lift others up rather than tear them down. ║
║ To own my impact, not just my intent. ║
║ To protect those who cannot protect themselves. ║
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║ When I fall short, I will acknowledge it. ║
║ When others fall short, I will offer grace. ║
║ When harm occurs, I will work toward healing. ║
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║ This community is not a product I consume. ║
║ It is a garden I help tend. ║
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Living The Covenant
Daily Practice
Every interaction is an opportunity to live these values:
- When you answer a question, are you helpful or dismissive?
- When you see someone struggling, do you reach out or scroll past?
- When you disagree, do you attack or engage?
- When you make a mistake, do you own it or deflect?
- When you have power, do you use it to lift or to control?
The Ripple Effect
Culture spreads.
When you treat someone well, they're more likely to treat the next person well. When you treat someone poorly, that spreads too.
Every interaction is a vote for the culture you want.
Vote well.
"A community is not its rules. It's the sum of a thousand small interactions, each one a choice to build something together."
See also:
FOUNDING_PRINCIPLES.md- What we believeWHAT_WE_REJECT.md- What we refuse to doTHE_SAFETY_NET.md- How we protect those in crisisTHE_KINDNESS_QUEUE.md- How helping is structured