SOFA

1. Confidentiality and anonymity must be respected.  Members and facilitators of SOFA will not talk about personal discussions or disclose the names of those who attend SOFA meetings of events to people outside of SOFA.
2. SOFA welcomes LGBT youth and allies who are between the ages of 14-18.
3. SOFA welcomes those under the age of 14 who have permission from a parent or guardian to attend meetings or events.
4. SOFA welcomes those over the age of 18 who have the consent of SOFA’s Board of Directors to attend meetings or events.  Generally speaking, this will allow those who have turned 19 and are currently attending high school to attend SOFA events.
5. No use of alcohol or non-prescription drugs will be allowed before or during SOFA meetings or events.  If an adult facilitator has reason to believe that someone is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, that person will be asked to leave the premises for that day and/or evening.
6. No use of tobacco will be allowed in or immediately in front of any facility that SOFA is using for an event or meeting.  If an adult facilitator sees a person violating this rule, that person will be asked to leave the premises for that day and/or evening.
7. Weapons will not be allowed on the premises of any SOFA meeting or event.  Adult facilitators have the right to immediately ban from the group anyone who brings a weapon to a SOFA meeting or event and will reserve the right to alert law enforcement.
8. SOFA is part of a larger Oshkosh community and should, therefore, be respectful of its neighbors, especially those within hearing distance of meeting space.  Foul language and noise that is disturbing to others will not be allowed.
9. SOFA will respect the property of those who allow us to use their space for events and meetings.  SOFA members will adhere to the guidelines for meetings and discussions which are listed in a separate document.
10. Members of the group are to respect the authority of adult facilitators.  These facilitators will work with the group to maintain a level of acceptable behavior that does not put SOFA or individuals at risk.

There is a shared responsibility to maintain behavior that is in accordance with the above guidelines.  It is expected that no more than a reminder of this responsibility will be necessary.  However, should someone behave in a way that puts the safety of SOFA or of individuals at risk, the following steps will be taken: 

1. An adult facilitator will have a private conversation with the person about how a behavior may be threatening the safety of the group or of particular individual.
2. If the behavior does not stop, an adult facilitator will give a verbal warning and will say “This is a verbal warning."
3. Finally, if the behavior still does not stop or change, an adult facilitator will discuss the consequences with the person.  That consequence may be a suspension from group activities for a certain period of time.  If a person is asked by a facilitator to leave the premises, that person will leave immediately.  Suspended people will be given an opportunity to present their point of view at a later date.