Strafford programs are organized for serious study, conversation, and fellowship. Participants are expected to conduct themselves with courtesy, sobriety, punctuality, and respect for the character of the gathering.
Registration of interest does not guarantee admission, invitation, or attendance. Some programs are limited by size, venue, format, or the judgment of the Institute. Strafford may request further information before confirming participation.
Unless otherwise stated, Strafford gatherings are held under a strict form of the Chatham House Rule. Participants may use ideas or information received during a program, but they may not identify any speaker or participant, reveal any participant's affiliation, attribute remarks to any person, record proceedings, publish accounts of private discussion, or circulate notes, images, screenshots, transcripts, or summaries in a manner that compromises the privacy of the gathering.
This rule exists so that participants may speak seriously, test arguments, ask unfinished questions, and engage difficult subjects without fear that provisional remarks will be detached from their setting and made public. Strafford depends upon candor joined to discretion. The rule protects the conversation, the participants, and the possibility of intellectual friendship.
A breach of this rule is a serious violation of trust. The Institute may remove the participant from the program, withdraw any pending invitation or registration, exclude the participant from future programs, and request deletion, correction, or retraction of any improper disclosure. Where necessary, the Institute may also notify affected participants.
Confirmed participants should notify the Institute promptly if they can no longer attend. For programs with limited places, failure to give notice may affect consideration for future programs.
Participants are expected to observe applicable law, venue rules, and reasonable directions from organizers. The Institute may decline or withdraw participation when conduct would disrupt a program, burden other participants, damage a venue, or compromise the Institute's work.
Programs involving tobacco or alcohol are limited to persons twenty-one years of age or older. Participants in such programs may be asked to confirm age eligibility. At this time, participants are expected to purchase their own drinks and to purchase or otherwise procure their own tobacco products.
Reading groups, seminars, retreats, lectures, meals, and related gatherings may differ in format. Details concerning time, place, readings, meals, fees if any, and other practical arrangements will be supplied as each program is confirmed.
The Strafford Institute is independent of and not affiliated with Harvard University. Participation in a Strafford program does not create any relationship with Harvard University or any other institution.
Questions about participation may be directed to info@straffordinstitute.org.