Guidelines to the GLOBAL GOENKARS WhatsApp group:
In the interest of preserving and promoting the purpose and relevance of the Global Goenkars WhatsApp group, we would like to put forth certain guidelines:
1. PURPOSE:
* The Global Goenkars WhatsApp group is a free, fair and frank forum for all our Global Goenkars (individuals, families, communities or organisations) in any part of the world, who profess their love for Goa and Goan identity.
* It is a forum where all Global Goenkars are equally important and there is no focus on any one person, community, organisation, cause or brand.
* A forum to showcase Global Goenkars practicing, presenting and promoting their Goan identity and culture throughout the year.
* A forum where Global Goenkars are encouraged to chat, discuss and share experiences and events about their Goan identity and culture from across the world.
2. MEMBERS:
* Only those persons who have links to Goa and are proud of Goan identity and culture will be accepted as members of the Global Goenkars WhatsApp group. Admins reserve the right to remove members who speak against Goa and Goan identity.
3. RELEVANCE:
* Ensure that only messages pertaining/relevant to Goan identity and culture are posted in this group. Avoid posting, circulating, forwarding and sharing political, spiritual, economic and other messages not related to Goan identity and culture. There are other platforms or WhatsApp groups available for that information. It is better to have few but relevant and meaningful posts rather than many irrelevant messages.
* Avoid messages which are fake, illegal, misleading, spam or slanderous. The commonly posted disclaimer ‘Forwarded as Received’ is not a defence and means nothing in this group. If you are unsure about the message, please do not post it here in the first place.
* Avoid good morning/afternoon/evening/night messages. Please understand that such messages add zero value and only clutter to this group. Everyone wishes each other well and so, why state the obvious?
* Members are encouraged to post their own original messages like opinions, observations, statements, queries, etc. in this group. Merely sharing/forwarding posts or links will not add any value to this Global Goenkars group. Members must be able to demonstrate how the forwarded post or link posted/shared is relevant or connected to Goans. That way, we can eliminate clutter and irrelevant posts/links in this group. Fewer posts which are meaningful, relevant and connected to Goans are more desirable than huge amounts of messages which have no relevance or connection to Goans in this group.
4. DECORUM:
* Irrelevant, impolite and insensitive messages/chats are to be strictly avoided by members in the group. Please maintain decorum at all times when posting messages in the Global Goenkars WhatsApp group.
* Ensure that members are courteous to each other. Please avoid messages which contain abuses, insults, personal allegations or any other such information which could cause harm to a member or trigger arguments in the Global Goenkars WhatsApp group. Members reserve the right to agree or disagree with information contained in the posts, but they will need to maintain decorum at all times.
5. RESPONSIBILITY:
* Please be aware that each member is responsible/accountable for the message posted in the Global Goenkars WhatsApp group. Before posting a message, ask yourself: Is it relevant to this group? Will it add value/benefit to the group? If the answer is “no”, then the message should not be posted in the first place.
6. ACOUNTABILITY:
* Those members who violate these aims and objectives of the Global Goenkars WhatsApp group will first receive a gentle and personal reminder from the admin/s. A second offence will cause the admin/s to send a public reminder to the member. A third offence may lead to the removal of the member from the group.
* In case members find posts in the Global Goenkars WhatsApp group which do not adhere to these guidelines, they may please bring it to the attention by messaging the admins privately. Necessary action will be taken at the earliest.
7. UPDATES:
* These guidelines may be revised, modified and updated, as and when the need arises, in order to better serve our Global Goenkars. Changes to these guidelines, if any, will be intimated to members.
We would expect and appreciate support and compliance to these guidelines. Remember, it is better to have a few but serious and committed members, who will share, contribute and discuss information relevant and beneficial to the Global Goenkars.
In case of any query or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the admins.
Regards,
Melvyn Misquita
Frankey Fernandes
