This document covers how we treat each other in Keep Calm. It goes beyond event logistics to address respect, inclusion, advertising, privacy, and conflict resolution.
Our Community Standards
Keep Calm exists to bring English speakers together through sport. That only works if everyone feels welcome, respected, and safe.
The Basics
- Treat everyone with respect regardless of skill level, background, nationality, gender, or experience
- Assume good intentions - misunderstandings happen, especially in a multicultural community
- Be welcoming - remember what it felt like to be new
- Keep it friendly - we're here for fun, not competition or drama
Respect & Inclusion
What We Expect
Be inclusive:
- Welcome newcomers and help them feel comfortable
- Include people in conversations, not just games
- Be patient with different skill levels
- Respect that people have different schedules and commitments
Be respectful:
- Listen when others speak
- Accept that people have different opinions
- Give feedback kindly, not critically
- Respect personal boundaries
Be supportive:
- Encourage others, especially beginners
- Celebrate improvements, not just wins
- Help people learn rather than criticising mistakes
- Build people up, don't knock them down
What We Don't Tolerate
Harassment:
- Unwanted attention or repeated contact after being asked to stop
- Unsolicited DMs of any kind - including flirty or romantic messages, advertising or self-promotion, and invitations to external WhatsApp groups or communities
- Messages that are flirty, sexual, or otherwise make someone uncomfortable
- Sexual harassment in any form
- Intimidating or threatening behavior
- Following or stalking (online or offline)
If you receive an unsolicited DM from a Keep Calm member, contact an admin immediately. Screenshot the messages and send them to any organiser as soon as possible. Action will be taken - up to and including permanent removal from the community. We have had real cases of this happening, and we will not ignore it.
Discrimination:
- Comments or behavior targeting someone's race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or appearance
- Exclusion based on these characteristics
- "Jokes" that punch down at groups or individuals
Bullying:
- Repeated negative comments aimed at the same person
- Deliberate exclusion from games or social activities
- Mocking someone's skill level or ability
- Spreading rumors or gossip
Aggression:
- Threatening language or behavior
- Physical intimidation
- Excessive anger during games
- Making others feel unsafe
Grey Areas
Some situations aren't clear-cut. Use this test:
"Would I be comfortable if an organiser saw/heard this?"
If you're unsure whether something is appropriate, it probably isn't. When in doubt, don't.
Advertising & Self-Promotion
Keep Calm is a non-commercial community. This shapes what can and can't be shared in our groups.
What's Not Allowed
In WhatsApp groups:
- Promoting your business, coaching, or services
- Sharing your own paid events or workshops
- Referral codes, affiliate links, or "sign up with my link" invites - including fitness apps like ClassPass
- Posting guestlists, nightlife events, or invitations to other communities or social groups
- Job postings or recruitment
- Requests to share/like your social media or business pages
At events:
- Actively selling products or services
- Handing out business cards or flyers uninvited
- Pitching your business to other members
- Using Keep Calm as a lead generation channel
What's Allowed
Personal mentions:
- Mentioning what you do for work in normal conversation is fine
- If someone asks for a recommendation and you happen to do that thing, you can mention it
- Sharing your work if someone specifically requests it
Helpful information:
- "There's a sale on padel rackets at Decathlon" = fine (you don't benefit)
- "Buy rackets through my shop for 10% off" = not fine (you benefit)
Community benefit:
- Free resources that genuinely help members
- Venues offering special rates for Keep Calm (coordinated through organisers)
- Equipment donations or group purchases
How to Handle It
If you want to share something borderline:
- Ask an organiser first
- Explain what it is and why it might be useful
- Accept their decision
If someone promotes to you:
- You're not obligated to engage
- If it's in a group, you can flag it to an organiser
- If it's persistent or uncomfortable, tell an organiser
If you're an organiser and see promotion:
- Send a private message explaining the policy
- If it's a first offense, assume they didn't know
- If repeated, treat as a strike offense
Photography & Privacy
- Ask before taking photos that feature specific people prominently
- Group shots are generally fine - give people a moment to step aside if they prefer
- Don't share unflattering photos of others or tag people who prefer not to be tagged
- Contact details, home addresses, and anything shared in confidence stays private
For the full photography and data policy, see data-privacy.md.
Conflict Resolution
Disagreements happen. How we handle them matters.
Step 1: Direct Conversation
If you have an issue with someone:
- Talk to them directly and privately first
- Assume it might be a misunderstanding
- Be specific about what bothered you
- Listen to their perspective
- Try to resolve it between yourselves
Step 2: Organiser Support
If direct conversation doesn't work:
- Contact an organiser privately
- Explain the situation calmly and specifically
- Share what you've already tried
- Ask for their help mediating
Step 3: Core Team Involvement
For serious issues or if organiser mediation fails:
- The issue will be escalated to the core team
- Both parties will be heard
- A decision will be made about next steps
- This may include warnings, restrictions, or removal
What Organisers Will Do
- Listen to all sides without pre-judging
- Keep conversations confidential where possible
- Take action proportionate to the issue
- Follow up to make sure the situation is resolved
- Document patterns of behavior
What We Won't Do
- Take sides based on who we know better
- Ignore serious complaints
- Allow retaliation against people who raise concerns
- Discuss private conflicts publicly
Serious Issues
Some things require immediate escalation:
Report immediately to an organiser:
- Harassment or threatening behavior
- Any form of discrimination
- Safety concerns
- Illegal activity
- Anyone feeling unsafe
What happens:
- The person raising the concern will be supported
- The accused will be spoken to or removed from events pending investigation
- Serious issues may result in immediate removal from Keep Calm
- Criminal matters should be reported to police (organisers can support but aren't a substitute)
Consequences
Conduct violations follow the community's 3-strike system. Offenses that can trigger strikes include:
- Harassment, discrimination, or bullying
- Repeated advertising after being warned
- Creating a hostile atmosphere or aggressive behavior
- Privacy violations
Severe offenses (harassment, threats, discrimination) may result in immediate removal without the normal strike progression.
Creating the Culture We Want
Rules only go so far. Culture is created by everyone, every day.
Small things that matter:
- Saying hello to someone standing alone
- Introducing yourself to new faces
- Asking someone how their game went
- Inviting someone to join post-game drinks
- Sending a friendly message to check in on someone who missed a few sessions
- Thanking organisers publicly
- Giving genuine compliments
The vibe we're building:
- People look forward to events, not just for the sport
- Newcomers become regulars become friends
- Different skill levels mix and learn from each other
- People feel comfortable being themselves
- The community improves people's lives in Barcelona
Summary
| Topic | The Rule |
|---|---|
| Respect | Treat everyone with kindness and patience |
| Inclusion | Welcome all, exclude none |
| Harassment | Zero tolerance - report it |
| Advertising | Not in groups or at events |
| Privacy | Ask before photographing, don't share personal info |
| Conflicts | Talk directly first, then involve organisers |
| Serious issues | Report immediately, we'll act |
Related Documents
- Rules.md - Rules overview and hub
- Event-Rules.md - Event participation policies
- WhatsApp-Rules.md - Group communication guidelines
- Partnerships-Reciprocity.md - Policy on commercial relationships