Meeting Guidelines & Protocols

A comprehensive resource for attendees and chairs of San Francisco Pride meetings.

Our Mission

"The mission of the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration Committee is to educate the world, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture, and liberate our people."

Land Acknowledgement

We at San Francisco Pride acknowledge that we are meeting on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples, the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.

Guide for Attendees

Behavior & Expectations

We strive to conduct business in a mature and respectful manner. Disruption prevents us from doing our work and will not be tolerated.

Respect the process, the Chair, and everyone present.
Derogatory personal comments are inappropriate.
Anyone may call for a three-second silence to help calm a tense situation.

I. Authority/Scope: Applies to everyone attending meetings. Subordinate to bylaws.

II. General: Designed to give guidance on required standards of behavior.

III. Disruptive Persons: Defined as behavior showing no respect for the process, Chair, or anyone present.

Warning 1 & 2: Ignored warnings = removal by Sergeant-at-Arms to calm down.
Warning 3: Removal from meeting and not allowed to rejoin. Possible membership suspension/expulsion.

IV. Sergeant-at-Arms: Appointed at every meeting (default: Vice-President).

Consensus Model

We use a consensus model for decision making. When the group nears a decision, the facilitator will ask:

Is there any further discussion?
Are there any objections? (Stand asides?)
Do we have consensus?

Block vs. Stand Aside:

Block: You must have an alternative suggestion.
Stand Aside: You can't support it but won't stop the group.

Participants should not speak out of turn. Facilitator recognizes hands.
Comments should be brief, respectful, and relevant.
Facilitator sets time limits and appoints a timekeeper.
Accept decisions you can live with to avoid debating minutia.
Facilitator may call a break for conflict resolution.
Everyone is equal. Derogatory comments are inappropriate.
Large Groups (20+): Modified consensus. If blocking, must offer alternative. If group rejects alternative, can override block ("modified consensus minus one").

Public Comment

Offered for those who are not members to speak. The Chair may adopt a flexible approach but will not tolerate personal attacks. Offered in a spirit of open communication.

Financial Protocol

No expenditure can be incurred without prior approval from the Executive Director. All expenditures are accounted for during the annual budgeting and audit process.

Guide for Chairs

Roles & Responsibilities

Key Policies

Ending the Meeting The Chair may at any time, for any cause, and at their absolute discretion adjourn the meeting. (Standing Rule #9)

Secret Ballots The Chair must honor any member's request for a secret ballot instead of a show of hands. (Standing Rule #12)

Sergeant-at-Arms Appointed at every meeting (defaults to Vice-President). Maintains order and removes disruptive persons if necessary.

Standard Agenda & Script

Item	Action / Script
1. Call to Order	"I call this meeting of the SF Pride Committee to order at [TIME]."
2. Land Acknowledgement	Ask a volunteer to read the statement (see top of page).
3. Roll Call & Quorum	Secretary calls roll or members introduce themselves. Quorate Can transact business. Inquorate Discussion only.
4. Appointment of Roles	Assign volunteers for: • Timekeeper • Vibe Watch • Stack Monitor

Hybrid Guidelines

Managing Remote vs. In-Person

Remote (Google Meet)

Mute: Remind users to keep mics muted when not speaking.
Stack: Use the "Raise Hand" feature to be added to the queue.
Chat: Monitor chat for questions or "Stand Aside" notations.

In-Person

Microphone: Wait for the mic before speaking so remote users can hear.
Stack: Respect the physical stack monitor (sign-up sheet or hand raises).
Cross-Talk: Avoid side conversations near any open room mics.