1. We value stories of lived experience and we want to communicate about the topic safely.

a. We recognize the value of stories of lived experience and welcome them as an essential part of our discourse.

b. We also recognize that certain words and details about suicide attempts or deaths can activate emotions and feelings. To communicate safely, we will strive to be mindful about sharing details of a suicide attempt or death, discussion about means or other topics that may have potentially dangerous content.

c. While statistics are a powerful tool for raising public awareness, stigma-busting and advocating for better health care, be aware of their impact when speaking.

d. Confidentiality: To make it a safe environment, please don’t share personal stories that are told in the meeting outside the meeting.

e. How we say it matters. We suggest using the phrase “died by suicide” instead of “commit,” because “commit” is a word associated with a crime or a sin. We also suggest avoiding the use of the terms “successful” or “unsuccessful” when talking about attempts/suicides; as an alternative we suggest saying “attempts” or “died by suicide,” so that we avoid attributing positives or negatives.

f. Create a safe environment. To do this I encourage the appointment of a "vibes checker" to oversee our process to ensure that safety.

2. Start and end on time.

3. Please place mobile phones on vibrate during the meeting and take important calls outside the room.

4. The role of the Chair and meeting facilitators is to manage the agenda, the discussions and the time we have together; please cooperate with their requests.

5. There are often many possible solutions to complex issues; when generating ideas about solutions, please strive to speak about interests not positions.

6. Listen and be open to hearing different perspectives.

7. Please raise your hand to be recognized by the facilitator if you want to contribute to the group. You will be placed on a chronological list and you may put your hand down.

8. Share the airtime and self-regulate your participation; please don’t interrupt others while they are speaking, especially if they pause. Suggest speaker says "I'm complete for now" when they have finished.

9. Please keep to one conversation and avoid sidebar conversations.

10. Use "I" statements.

11. Don't use acronyms. This is a very diverse community that needs to hold to a common language. I suggest an "acronym checker".

12. Run voting on a "consensus model.".

13. At the end of each meeting voice the next steps you hope to accomplish prior to the next meeting, that foster commitment to the goals.

14. Request any assistance from a particular stakeholder or group to accomplish that next step.

15. An opportunity to crit and especially self-crit.

a. Crit: If you have a real concern about someone's actions ask their permission to share and if given, state your criticism in four parts: 1. When you _____, 2. I feel____. In the future I ask that you ______, 4. so that I can ______________________.

b. Self-Crit is an opportunity for you to take responsibility for something you said or action that wasn't appropriate, especially for an area of concern like suicide.

16. Let's insure that this space remains safe for everyone while doing this important work.

17. We'll each take responsibilility to see that the room is picked up and whatever we brought we take back.

18. Resource Table – please share information about upcoming events, programs, or trainings by providing written materials for the resource table which will be available at all meetings of the Council; because of time limitations we request no verbal announcements; thank you for your cooperation.