NEONSG Rules & Support
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NEONSG Community Rules
The Northeast Ohio Neurodivergent Social Group (NEONSG) is built around the safety and comfort of its members. Everyone who participates must follow our Community Rules. These rules outline what you can expect from our group, and they help ensure that everyone can enjoy being part of NEONSG. If you have questions or concerns, contact neohiosocial@gmail.com.
NEONSG Policies
Membership Eligibility
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Membership is only open to neurodivergent adults (ages 18+).
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No formal diagnosis is required, and people of all support needs are welcome.
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Membership is subject to approval and can be revoked at any time.
Prohibited Content & Behaviors
No Harassment or Discrimination
​NEONSG maintains a zero-tolerance policy for bullying or harassment of any kind. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:
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Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability
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Derogatory language (hate speech/slurs)
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Personal attacks, threats of violence, predatory behavior, or similar misconduct towards other members.
No Explicit (sexual or violent) Content
Keep all public posts and discussions "PG-13" and free of explicit content (such as sex, violence, drug use, gore, etc.).
Rule Violations & Disciplinary Actions
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The NEONSG Team reserves the right to remove members at our discretion when safety concerns arise. Failure to follow Community Rules may result in a private discussion, a formal warning, or removal from the group.
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In Discord: Content that violates Community Rules or poses a risk to the community may be removed without prior notice. When content is removed, a NEONSG Moderator will send a direct message explaining why.
Crisis Support
IMPORTANT: Please remember that NEONSG is run entirely by volunteers. We are not a therapy group, crisis service, or case management resource. However, we will do our best to provide support and share relevant resources.
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In Discord: If a member posts content suggesting they want to harm themselves or others (such as "I want to die" or "I'm going to hurt [someone]"), a NEONSG Moderator will reach out directly to check in. Members in crisis will not be penalized for reaching out.
Participation & Access
Events & Activities
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NEONSG hosts both in-person and virtual events. Events are for NEONSG members only unless otherwise indicated. Certain events may be open to outside (non-member) neurodivergent adults.
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Members who are unable to participate independently may bring a support person to any event as long as prior notice is given.
​Schedule Conflicts
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NEONSG aims to maintain a consistent calendar, but events may need to be rescheduled or canceled. Members will be notified of any schedule changes.
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MEMBERS: if you RSVPed for an event and can no longer attend, please update your RSVP at least 24 hours in advance so other members may take your spot.
Platforms & Technology
NEONSG utilizes multiple platforms to support different types of interactions. Digital content may be posted on one or more platforms.
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Discord: Discord is an online messaging platform that NEONSG uses as its primary hub for member communication. See our Discord Support section for more information.
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Member Pages: The NEONSG website includes special members-only content and event listings. Members must create a NEONN Site Account to access these features.
​Accessibility
The NEONSG Team strives to make our activities and member materials accessible to all. Please contact us if you require specific accommodations or have trouble accessing any of our content.
Conduct Guidelines
​The following guidelines reflect how we expect all members to engage within our spaces. We want everyone to feel comfortable and free to be themselves, but we also want to ensure the safety of all members.
Communication & Interactions
Neurodivergent Styles​
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Be yourself! As a neurodivergent organization, we embrace ND communication styles and encourage members to be direct about their needs and perspectives.
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Remember – we're all ND here. Some members might be unaware if they’re saying something hurtful, crossing boundaries, or being overly-talkative. Don’t be afraid to speak up, but please be courteous.
Disagreements & Debates
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Healthy debates are allowed, but they must remain respectful. Everyone has a different point of view and it's okay to disagree.
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If you are uncomfortable or upset by someone, let them know how you feel, or take a break and respond later. If problems continue, contact a NEONSG Moderator.
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It’s okay to distance yourself from group members and find others to connect with.
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In Discord: If you feel the need to cut off communication with another member, use the "Block" feature.
Personal Boundaries​
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Respect all stated boundaries. If someone says "no" or seems uncomfortable with a topic or interaction, please respect that and adjust. Do not push.
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In Discord: Do not send unsolicited Direct Messages (DMs) or friend requests; ask for permission in a public channel before messaging a member privately. However, if the need arises to speak with a Moderator, you may send them a DM without asking publicly.
Privacy & Confidentiality
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As a general rule, what is shared in the group should stay in the group. Do not share other members' stories, photos, or private content outside of NEONSG (unless explicit permission is given).
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STAY SAFE! Do not share your personal information (such as your address, phone number, employer, financial information, etc.) with anyone you do not know, and do not post this information in public channels or discussion threads.
Connecting Outside the Group
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Be thoughtful when asking for someone's contact information or asking to meet up outside of events. Always respect when someone says no
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While we encourage friendship, NEONSG is not a dating group. Please do not use the group for aggressive flirting or repeated romantic advances.
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The NEONSG Team is unable to monitor, control, or respond to any interactions or activities that take place outside of NEONSG. Communicating with others (via phone, email, or private messaging) is done at your own risk.
Discord Support
NEONSG uses Discord as our primary hub for communication. Discord is an online messaging platform that members can use to communicate with other members as much or as little as they like, using their preferred communication style. NEONSG has a private Discord server that is moderated to ensure safety and adherence to community standards.
What Is Discord?
Discord is a free online communication tool that combines elements of a chat room, message board, and video call platform. It allows users (members) to interact with each other as much or as little as they like, using their preferred communication style (text, voice, video). Discord can be accessed from any web browser or from the Discord app (available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android).
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Discord members can join community groups (called servers) that are made up of multiple categorized "spaces" (called channels), often dedicated to specific topics. Text channels work like message boards, where chats stay visible and members can scroll back through them. Voice/video channels work like group calls that members can drop in and out of.
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Servers are typically managed by moderators who oversee community activity and make sure rules are followed. Moderators may assign specific roles, permissions, or tags to members as a way to identify them within a server or control their level of access.
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Discord members are not required to join a server. Every user has a customizable Discord profile (username, avatar, etc.) and can contact other members individually by sending direct messages (DMs). Users can also create their own servers for free and invite others to join.
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Discord has a variety of additional features and add-ons to explore. For those interested in learning more, read our "Tips & Tricks" section below, or visit the Discord Help Center.
Discord Tips & Tricks
New to Discord or looking to get more out of it? Discord has a lot more to offer than it might first appear, and knowing how to navigate it can make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some helpful tips and features to get you started.
Types of Channels
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Text channel (designated by # symbol)
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Voice channel (designated by a speaker symbol)
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Private channel (designated by lock symbol) - a moderator must provide access