Project REAL

Non-Partisan, Respectful Collaboration Guidelines

Why this exists
We’re building a practical, welcoming space to improve our democracy. Our standard is simple: Does this lift people up, help people, treat the least among us fairly, and stay honest?

1) Non-partisan standard

  • Focus on systems and policies, not electing or defeating specific parties or candidates.

  • It’s OK to name officials or parties only to describe verifiable facts, votes, or policy effects—no slogans, insults, or campaign language.

  • No fundraising or campaigning for candidates/parties in Project REAL channels.

2) Facts, sources, and clarity

  • Cite reputable, checkable sources; mark opinion as opinion.

  • Prefer plain language and avoid cherry-picking. If something’s uncertain, say so.

3) Respect & civility

  • Disagree with ideas, not people. No harassment, slurs, or personal attacks.

  • Assume good intent; ask clarifying questions; don’t dog-pile.

  • No doxxing or sharing private info.

4) Inclusion & accessibility

  • Use everyday language; add alt text, captions, and readable formatting.

  • Invite and protect diverse voices; no gatekeeping or insider jargon for its own sake.

5) Privacy & data handling

  • Keep volunteer contact info in approved tools.

  • Share on a need-to-know basis; use BCC for group emails; no selling or external sharing.

6) Conflicts of interest

  • Disclose paid roles, clients, or financial ties related to your work here.

  • No self-promotion or product pitching in official channels without approval.

7) Content & attribution

  • Don’t plagiarize. Credit sources, images, and collaborators.

  • Contributions are made under a Creative-Commons–friendly or standard volunteer contributor agreement (we’ll share details during onboarding).

8) Brand & voice

  • Be welcoming, factual, and solution-oriented.

  • Avoid outrage bait, stereotypes, or profanity in official outputs.

9) Tools & AI

  • You’re responsible for what you publish, even if AI helped. Verify facts and remove sensitive data before using tools.

10) Safety, legality, and security

  • Follow the law; no threats or calls for violence.

  • Flag phishing or suspicious links; use strong passwords and 2FA where offered.

11) Moderation & enforcement

  • Moderators may ask for edits or removals to keep us aligned.

  • Typical path: friendly nudge → edit request → temporary pause → removal if needed.

Report concerns to info@voteforreal.com.