The GPS Manifesto
Changing lives through poetry.
The Gloucestershire Poetry Society is an all-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 in 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 they contravene 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 not allowed. Any poet found to have posted work that has used AI to generate it or assist in the writing of a piece will be removed and the poet given a warning. If the poet persists they will be removed from the Facebook Group, and/or their Friendship membership will be cancelled.
Creative Risk
We encourage creative risks. Not all ideas work, but equally, artists are encouraged at every opportunity to test the limits of what can be achieved. Innovation comes from making brave choices.
Honesty
Be open and show respect for each other as a collective of poets in an all-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 will, but to foster their passion and support fellow poets with their writing through learning, progression and performance and publishing opportunities.
Truth
To encourage our members to follow their truth and develop an authentic voice for their work.
Compassion
Be supportive, understanding and kind to our members at all times. We may all have different views, but the GPS was created to be all-inclusive. Healthy debate is encouraged, but arguments and trading insults are not. Being mindful of others is paramount to the GPS.
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 to be better
The Gloucestershire Poetry Society encourages its members to create their best work, through learning, experimentation, peer support and critical appraisal.
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 let us know a minimum of 24 before (barring an emergency).
If we do not receive notification of non-attendance (or cannot respond due to an emergency situation), you will not be asked to perform again, as another poet could have had that opportunity, and it’s disrespectful.