Esfinges would like to foster the same camaraderie and community for International HEMAistes on Twitter that it has successfully brought to Facebook. To this end, we will be starting a series of Twitter Talks starting in February. Twitter Talks are an hour of tweeted discussion using tags so that a large group can follow the conversation without everyone being tweeted directly – if only because then it would be difficult to fit everything into 140 characters. They occur at set times and ours will be hosted by @Esfinges1 or another nominated member of Esfinges.

The results of the Twitter Talk will also be made available through the Esfinges Storify.com account. Basically, all tweets with the appropriate tag will be included, without bias to or against any one talk member. Links to the Storified discussion will be tweeted the following day as well as linked from the Esfinges blog and FB page.

Schedule

#HEMAHour is every Monday, 7 – 8pm GMT (BST in summer)

An hour dedicated to discussing kit, weaponry, training, events and everything else Historical European Martial Arts related.

#WarriorWomenHour is every Thursday, 7 – 8pm GMT (BST in summer)

An hour focused on encouraging women in Martial Arts. This is the spot to share tips and advice specific to women – from sports bras to fitness training, from adjusting personal technique to overcoming mental blocks.

We’re aware that the times are somewhat restricted by the location of the Twitter Pilot and if anyone would be interested in hosting earlier or later hours (i.e. at 7 – 8 pm local time or whenever is convenient), please get in touch with @Esfinges1 on Twitter.

We’re also aware that there may be further subject areas people would like to discuss so, if you wish to nominate one, please talk to the Twitter Pilot through @Esfinges1.

If any such additions are forth coming, we’ll issue a new Twitter Talks blog update.

House Rules

Twitter Talks are open to anyone who feels they have an interest, regardless of sex, gender, sexuality, age, colour, religion, ability, etc. The main rule is simply to respect each other. However, the following pointers may help:

Any views expressed during the Twitter Talk are those of the person expressing them, not Esfinges (or, in the case of @Esfinges1, the views of the Twitter Pilot, not the whole organisation). Esfinges is a support and social group, not a political movement and is about encouraging conversation, not insisting there is only one way to do things.

However, the right to express opinion does not extend to the right to disrespect others. If debate devolves to name-calling and personal insults, leave the talk to cool down or be blocked by everyone else. Your choice.

If you feel the need to block someone, please announce it first along with why. Other members of the Talk need to be aware of what you can and can’t see happening.

If you feel the need to report behaviour, the host will support you to the hilt, pun intended. All tweets will be put on Storify so there will be records of any abuse. Please announce such action first. Negotiation of a peace, or at least a truce, would also be appreciated.

Original post: http://esfinges1.wix.com/e/apps/blog/esfinges-twitter-talks