YEG-PaH Telegram Chatroom Rules & Guidelines

The YEG-PAH telegram chatroom is an important part of the pup/pet/handler community. It is a place where we can share our ideas and information, show support for fellow members and build ourselves, others, and the community as a whole, up.

YEG-PAH is dedicated to providing safer, accountable spaces, including online spaces. As such, we ask that you please be responsible and respectful of the others while participating within the chat room. Your conduct should involve common sense, be polite and courteous, and follow the guidelines below:

General Chat Rules

Chat rules are strictly enforced and hold a zero tolerance policy for violations.

  1. All members must be at least 18 years of age upon joining the chat.
  2. Discrimination is not welcome in this chat. This includes discrimination of biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, pronouns, race, ethnicity, physical ability, mental ability, relationships, relationship status, religion, interests, or sexuality/sexual orientation.
  3. Respect the opinions and practices of others in the room. Even if there is disagreement, one can still be polite.
  4. We encourage healthy debate. To keep the debate healthy however, it needs to be done respectfully. If a debate has reached a destructive point, moderators will ask to move on from the topic, or to take the current topic into a private chat.
  5. Abuse and harassment is not tolerated. The use of rude or abusive language, hate speech, defamation, shaming, argumentum ad hominem, intolerant language, blatantly insensitive remarks, purposely annoying comments are not acceptable.
    • Likewise, trolling, the act of distracting and sowing discord by posting inflammatory, digressive, off-topic messages is strictly forbidden. 
  6. Flaming, posting a provocative or offensive content with the purpose of provoking a hostile response, is not allowed.
  7. Doxing and/or outing of person(s) is also unacceptable. Posting private conversations, and/or personal information without the explicit consent of all those involved is strictly prohibited.
  8. For personal safety reasons, it is advised against disclosing your real name (specifically your last name), home address, and telephone number. If this information has to be exchanged, we ask that it takes place in private message, and not in the group chat.
  9. We ask that spamming is kept to a minimum, as it disrupts the flow of conversation. This applies to text, emoticons, stickers and GIFs

Creating a Safer Space

Emotions, even negative ones, are valid, and we do not wish to invalidate feelings. Part of building community is being there for one another. Community is listening to, supporting and helping each other when we are able.

  • Self deprecation is normal, and in smaller quantities can be used as a way of dealing with stress. It can become unhealthy though. We ask that self-deprecating comments, if used, be kept light-hearted.
  • Do not hesitate to reach out to one of our board members (chat admins) if you need help. We are not medical professionals, but we will do what we can to point you in the right direction to get help.

Disciplinary Action

Moderators reserve the right to remove anyone from the  chat room for violating any of these guidelines or for any other behavior that is deemed to be inappropriate.

Violations of the above mentioned rules will be met with disciplinary action at the discretion of the YEG-PaH board.

Violation of the above mentioned rules can and will be met with:

  1. X number of Hour(s) and/or day(s) banning. Length of ban will be determined based on a vote among board members of YEG-PaH.
  2. *Anyone that continues to exhibit any violations slated above could be met with permanent removal of any and/or all Chat rooms currently being run by YEG-PaH.
  3. *Membership(s) of the person(s) in violation may be suspended based on severity of violations.

*In the event of a permanent ban and/or removal of membership(s) YEG-PaH Chats and/or Events; no refunds for memberships will be issued.

All regulations and bylaws YEG-PaH apply to these rules. If there is a conflict between these rules and those of YEG-PaH bylaws, those of the YEG-PaH bylaws, as the case may be, prevail.