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Community Guidelines FAQ

Frequently (and not-so-frequently) asked questions about the Stitch Community Guidelines

Andrew Dowling avatar
Written by Andrew Dowling
Updated over 2 weeks ago

This article forms part of the Stitch Community Guidelines. If you haven’t read the overview of the Community Guidelines yet, please do so before reading this article. In particular, please make sure you are familiar with the community definitions of what constitutes encouraged, discouraged, and prohibited behavior in the community, as well as how Stitch’s member feedback system works to promote constructive behavior across the community.

An overview of the guidelines can be found here.

Frequently-asked Questions

I've received a warning about my behavior. How do I get rid of it?

As outlined in the guidelines, you will receive a warning on Stitch if your member rating, based on feedback given to us by other members about their interactions with you, drops to "Warning" level. The warning appears above any messages you send, as a reminder to ensure all your interactions are consistent with the Stitch Community Guidelines, and are welcomed by other members. Additionally, Stitch ensures fairness by reviewing all low ratings to determine if they are valid and justified. If a rating lacks sufficient justification, members are given the benefit of the doubt, emphasizing the collaborative and constructive nature of the community.

You'll continue to see the warning as long as your member rating remains at the "Warning" level. However, improving your ratings over time can remove such warnings. Low ratings are not necessarily punitive but are treated as constructive feedback to encourage better interactions.

How do I improve my member rating?

The best way to improve your rating is to interact with other members in a way that exhibits one of the Stitch Behaviors, such as being kind, welcoming, or supportive. The more positive feedback you receive, the more your rating will improve. For example, maintaining courteous communication, addressing concerns promptly, and seeking direct feedback from other members or event attendees are effective ways to foster meaningful, positive interactions.

Just remember that Stitch has a bias towards member well-being, so we expect positive behavior at all times. That means it doesn't take many negative ratings to give you a lower score, and you need a large number of positive ratings to improve your score. Additionally, a "Just OK" rating often results from insufficient data rather than actual dissatisfaction. Continued positive engagement can lead to rating stabilization over time, providing a more representative assessment.

I think my interactions are respectful, so it's not my fault if other members don't like the way I communicate, is it?

Unfortunately yes, it is. Good communication is measured by how it affects the recipient, not how it is intended by the sender. In the Stitch Community, all members' opinions are equally important. If one person doesn't like the way you communicate, it's not a problem. But if on average many members are giving negative feedback about their interactions with you, the onus is on you to take that feedback on board and consider how your communication style can be improved. On the other hand, occasional neutral or less-than-positive ratings without a consistent pattern are not typically a cause for concern. Stitch’s system emphasizes fairness, focusing on patterns of behavior rather than isolated incidents.### Understanding 'Just OK' Ratings A "Just OK" rating doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with your interaction or contribution. It may simply reflect a lack of sufficient data to form a clearer conclusion. Here’s why you might receive such a rating:

  • Ratings may shift momentarily from a single neutral evaluation, particularly when fewer ratings exist.

  • Over time, consistent positive interactions can lead to a stabilized and accurate overall rating. By staying engaged and keeping interactions constructive, you can help your rating reflect a fuller picture of your community involvement.### Ratings for Event Organizers As an event organizer, receiving less-than-positive ratings occasionally is not unusual and often does not require concern. Here are key points to remember as an organizer:

  • Stitch focuses on identifying repeated patterns rather than isolated ratings.

  • Negative ratings only pose an issue if they exhibit a consistent trend across multiple events or various participants. Continue creating enjoyable events and monitor your ratings for long-term insights into your performance.

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