At StarkSouk, we believe in flexibility and maintaining a balance between structure and autonomy. As a remote-active organization, we value connection and collaboration, and video meetings are one of the few opportunities we have to engage face-to-face. However, we also respect personal preferences and understand the occasional need for flexibility.

Camera-on Expectations:

• Monday All-Hands Meeting: Every Monday, we hold an all-hands video meeting where we expect all participants to have their cameras on. This is an important time to set the tone for the week, introduce new team members, discuss upcoming projects, and strengthen our company culture.
• Building Connections: When leading meetings or introducing the team to external parties, having your camera on fosters better connections. Non-verbal cues and body language help convey engagement, and this is especially important when presenting or representing StarkSouk.

Flexibility and Autonomy:

• Rest of the Week: Outside of the Monday huddle, you have full control over whether you keep your camera on or off during meetings. If you're feeling fatigued or would prefer to participate without being on camera, that’s completely fine as long as you're engaged.
• Participation Options: You can actively contribute by using the chat, unmuting yourself, or even communicating through emojis. Your input matters more than being on video.

Guidelines for Camera-Off Participation:

• Minimal Video-Off Mondays: While we understand that there will be days when you prefer to keep your camera off—whether due to a late night or other reasons—we ask that you keep these instances to a minimum during Monday’s all-hands meetings.
• Comfort Over Formality: There’s no need to dress up or look overly formal for video-on calls. We don’t judge appearances; we care about your contributions to the discussion.

Tips to Optimize Camera-Off Meetings:

• Alternative Setups: Consider placing your camera to the side, allowing for more natural interaction without staring directly at the screen.
• Walking Meetings: If possible, join calls via phone to take walking meetings and stay active during discussions.
• Combat Video Fatigue: Turn off your camera whenever you feel signs of fatigue to conserve energy for creative work.

At StarkSouk, our default is to encourage camera-on participation, especially in key meetings. However, we trust you to assess each situation and decide what's best for you.