How we work together

Social Contract

RainForge is built on generosity, trust, and useful work. This contract sets the standard everyone accepts when they join a session.

With gratitude to Rainforest Alberta and its Social Contract, which inspired this community and these principles.

Ten principles

  1. 01

    Diversity

    Seek out different backgrounds, disciplines, and points of view.

  2. 02

    Free help

    Offer useful help freely, without keeping score or creating obligation.

  3. 03

    Trust

    Begin with good faith and protect what others share in confidence.

  4. 04

    Pay it forward

    Pass on the time, introductions, and knowledge you receive.

  5. 05

    Fairness

    Make room, share credit, and deal fairly with people and their work.

  6. 06

    Listening

    Listen to understand before responding, advising, or disagreeing.

  7. 07

    Honesty

    Be candid, accurate, and clear about what you know and what you do not.

  8. 08

    Team sport

    Treat building a stronger ecosystem as shared work, not a solo contest.

  9. 09

    Sharing

    Share ideas and lessons generously while respecting privacy and ownership.

  10. 10

    Role modelling

    Demonstrate the conduct you want to see in the community.

The RainForge focus

RainForge exists to advance builders, innovation, and community. Public officials and policy topics are welcome when they directly affect the work; partisan campaigning, religious advocacy, harassment, and unrelated ideological debate are not.

How stewards respond

Context and safety matter. Stewards use this five-step ladder proportionately, moving faster when conduct poses immediate harm.

  1. 1.A reminder of the Social Contract and redirection back to the work.
  2. 2.A temporary mute or posting restriction.
  3. 3.Steward review and a written warning.
  4. 4.Suspension or removal for abuse, threats, spam, or repeated violations.
  5. 5.An appeal to a second steward who was not responsible for the original decision.

A working group formed at the inaugural session will review what we learn and publish version 1.1.

Version 1.0 · effective 2026-08-18