Community Agreements

Community agreements connect to Gavilan's equity framework and guide our collaborative work together.

Community Agreements — Approved October 21, 2025
Agreement	Why It Matters
Start from a place of openness	Creates a space where all voices feel welcome. Tied to inclusive equity, cultural humility, and community engagement.
Hold yourself and others accountable with kindness	Creates a safe and supportive environment where people can learn from mistakes and work together effectively.
Be punctual, present, and responsible for commitments	Builds trust and reliability within the group. When everyone shows up and follows through, meetings run smoothly and people feel respected.
Approach discussions with cultural humility	Fosters inclusion, reduces bias, and strengthens collaboration by valuing all voices and experiences.
Participate fully and come prepared	Ensures informed, meaningful contributions, strengthens decision-making, and respects colleagues' time and effort.
Don't make assumptions; be curious and ask questions	Promotes clarity, prevents misunderstandings, and encourages an inclusive environment where all voices are heard.
Practice reflective listening and check for understanding	Fills a gap in communication and reinforces cultural humility. This agreement is observable and measurable.
Be mindful of speaking turn and time	Ask: Does this need to be said? Is this a want to know or a need to know? Is it a ME question or a WE question?
Create an inclusive space for all voices	Everyone's voice and perspective is valued. When we allow a few voices to dominate, inequities can be reinforced.