The GPS Manifesto
Changing lives through poetry.
The Gloucestershire Poetry Society is an inclusive, volunteer-run group for lovers of poetry to share and learn in a welcoming and supportive environment.
The Gloucestershire Poetry Society Core Values:
Equality & Diversity
As a society, we encourage people from all ethnicities, gender types, beliefs, and backgrounds to share our love of poetry in all its written and performance forms. We do not tolerate racism or discrimination.
Creative Freedom
Poetry can be freely shared in our online forums, events, and submission opportunities unless it contravenes our Manifesto, Equality & Diversity Statement, or Facebook Group Rules.
Everyone is welcome in The GPS. However, members found to be causing destructive behaviour, bullying, or hate speech will be asked to leave the group. If they are a Friendship Member of the society, their membership will be cancelled.
AI Policy
The use of AI-generated or assisted work is strictly not allowed.
Poetry is a powerful form of human expression. Writing poetry requires a human to write, type, speak, think, feel, sense, experiment, and refine. To tell a story from a unique individual viewpoint.
Any poem posted in our group that has been created by GENAI or has been assisted by it will be removed. The poet will be given a warning.
If the poet persists in posting GENAI poetry, they will be removed from the Facebook Group, and/or their Friendship membership will be cancelled.
Full disclosure is required at all times.
No GENAI-created or assisted poems are allowed when submitting poems to our opportunities.
Honesty
Be open and show respect for each other as a collective of poets in an inclusive space.
If asked to provide feedback on a poet’s work, be respectful with encouragement and always provide constructive feedback.
We are not here to crush poets but to foster their passion and support fellow poets with their writing through learning, progression, performance, and publishing opportunities.
Compassion
Being mindful of others is paramount to the GPS.
Be supportive, understanding and kind to our members.
We may all have different views, but the GPS was created to be inclusive.
Healthy debate is encouraged, but arguments and trading insults are not.
The GPS Closed Facebook Group
Our Closed Facebook group is about sharing poetry, regardless of your experience or ability.
We encourage all members to participate by sharing, promoting or commenting.
Critical analysis will only be provided if specifically requested.
Do not give criticism unless the writer or performer has given you permission to do so.
All forms of poetry are welcome, regardless of content. However, we reserve the right to moderate poetry that does not match our group rules.
Please refer to the group rules and also our Equality and Diversity Statement.
All forms of poetry are equal
Poetry has been spoken, written and performed in various applications for centuries.
Page and performance poetry are equally valuable to society, as they are embedded throughout our rich cultural heritage.
In the GPS, there is no ‘US & THEM’, only ‘WE’, as a supportive community of poets celebrating the joy of poetry in all its variations.
Strive & learn
The Gloucestershire Poetry Society encourages its members to create their best work through learning, experimentation, peer support and critical appraisal.
We are a society for the joy of poetry. To create, share and learn from each other. To progress through the refinement of our craft.
Performance slot etiquette
If you are offered a performance slot at our events and you agree to attend, you will be expected to be there.
However, if you cannot make an event for whatever reason, please try to let us know as soon as you can.
Life can be unpredictable, but by letting us know before the event, we can give your slot to another poet.
If you are unwell or there has been an accident or other emergency, and you cannot let us know before the event, please explain after the event. It is a matter of respect to keep us informed.
If you do not attend and make no attempt to contact us before or after the event, you may not be invited/accepted to read again.