The Debt Free Fanatics community (DFF) is committed to providing a supportive and respectful environment for all members of our community. We are committed to upholding these values, which are essential to our mission: helping members of this community aspire, and then achieve, a financial future, based on the principles outlined in Dave Ramsey’s book, The Total Money Makeover (TMMO). Each of us has a role in maintaining a safe, caring, and humane environment where these principles can flourish. These principles are not just guidelines; they are commitments that we must uphold to sustain the inclusive and supportive environment that defines DFF. To this end, uncivil conduct — including name-calling, and lack of respect in interactions — is unwelcome and unbecoming within these forums.
Our policy arises from samples of corporate Professional Conduct standards available in the workplace, and is more fully described as:
Uncivil conduct can be defined as harassing or mean, impolite behavior that denies, adversely limits, or interferes with a person’s participation in or benefit from the DFF forums. It includes conduct that creates an environment, whether intended or not, that a reasonable person would find to be rude, mean, bullying, intimidating or offensive, and which is therefore unrelated to the DFF forum’s legitimate educational and community interests.
1. Commitment to Civility and Professional Conduct
Respectful Interaction:
All members of the DFF community are expected to maintain professionalism and courtesy in all interactions, even under stressful circumstances. This includes interactions that are emotionally difficult, including postings that concern family, employment, political figures, religious figures, or well-known celebrities who may be exhibiting partisan behaviors themselves. The behavior of members in this community, and its moderators/administrators, sets the tone for the entire DFF environment, and we all have the responsibility to contribute to a positive, polite, and collaborative atmosphere.
Unacceptable Behavior:
The following are examples of behaviors and actions that will not be tolerated:
- Name-calling, using derogatory language, or making demeaning comments is unacceptable.
- Doxxing any member of the forum is unacceptable. (Doxxing is the act of publicly revealing someone’s private or personal information without their consent, with the intent to intimidate or embarrass).
- Engaging in discriminatory behavior, harassment, or bullying based on race, gender, political orientation, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or age, via posts, PMs, email, or via other avenues or platforms is unacceptable.
Reporting Channels:
All members of the community are encouraged to report such conduct through the following channels:
- Report the issue to the Forum Moderator as a first step:
- @FinancialDave - Investor’s Corner
- @KVinKC - Frugal Living and Emergency Prep
- @Jen - SuperMod
- @polly-anna - Travel
- @loveweims
- @kwahmaye
If the forum does not have a forum moderator, please alert an Administrator: DutchJr or Administrator , sandrark, Brendenny, or SuperMod Jen and one will react as soon as possible.
Investigation and Resolution:
Infractions will be assigned to users who are uncivil to others, or use violent or threatening language of any type in the forum. At least two members of the Mod/Admin membership will need to agree on the validity of the infraction.
Requests for anonymity and confidentiality will be weighed but cannot be guaranteed. As much as possible, every individual who raises concerns in good faith will be protected from retaliation.
Timeline for Response:
- To ensure timely resolution, all reports of unprofessional conduct will be reviewed and acted upon within 7 calendar days.
After three (3) infractions, the member will be blocked from the DFF site for ten (10) days. If more than five (5) infractions are received, the member will be permanently banned from the site.
We believe that adhering to this policy enables all DFF community members to positively influence the forum environment, while fostering a culture of support and collaboration.