Welcome to Keep Calm! To keep our WhatsApp groups friendly and functional for everyone, please follow these guidelines.
General Etiquette
Keep Messages Relevant
- Post only sport/event-related content in sport-specific groups
- Use the appropriate group for your message (don't cross-post unnecessarily)
- Save general chat for the social group or in-person meetups
Minimize Noise
- Keep the chat manageable - important updates need to be easy to find
- Avoid excessive back-and-forth conversations - use private messages when possible
- Don't spam polls, memes, or promotional content
- Limit voice notes and large media files
Be Positive
- Keep communication friendly and constructive
- No negativity or complaints that don't help solve problems
- Especially important during weather issues - trust the organizers and rain policies
- Support fellow members and welcome newcomers
Respect Others
- Be inclusive and welcoming to all members
- Respect different skill levels and backgrounds
- No harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate content
- Remember we're all here to have fun and stay active
Event-Specific Guidelines
RSVPs and Polls
- Vote in polls if you plan to attend - this helps organizers plan
- Only vote if you genuinely intend to participate
- Vote for the time you'll actually arrive (especially for ping pong, volleyball)
Court Bookings and Links
- When posting Playtomic booking links:
- Share clearly with all necessary details
- Tag relevant players
- Use "Share Externally" feature as instructed
- Share booking links with your sport organiser
Changes and Cancellations
- Give as much notice as possible if you can't make it
- See Event Rules for cancellation policies
- Help find replacements if you need to drop out
- Don't repeatedly ask "Are we playing?" - check pinned messages and trust organizers
Weather-Related Communication
- Don't ring venues directly about cancellations - let organizers handle this
- Don't try to persuade others to cancel
- Trust the process - games are on unless officially cancelled
- Keep weather-related chat minimal
For Bookers/Organizers
- Post important updates clearly and concisely
- Pin critical information when appropriate
- Share booking confirmations promptly
- Coordinate with other bookers to avoid confusion
Unsolicited Direct Messages
Being in the same Keep Calm group does not give you permission to DM other members out of the blue. This is something we take seriously and will act on.
What's not OK
- Sending flirty, romantic, or sexual messages to other members
- Inviting members to other WhatsApp groups, communities, or external platforms without their consent
- Sending promotional messages, advertising your services, or sharing referral/affiliate links via DM
- Messaging someone repeatedly after they haven't responded or have asked you to stop
- Using member contact details for any personal or commercial purpose they didn't agree to
We've had cases of members receiving unwanted messages - including romantic approaches and invitations to unrelated groups. This is not acceptable and undermines the trust that makes Keep Calm work.
What to do if this happens to you
Contact an admin immediately. Don't wait, don't brush it off, don't feel like you're overreacting.
- Screenshot the messages and send them to any admin or organiser as soon as possible
- You will not be judged or questioned for reporting - we want to know about it
- Action will be taken: the person will be spoken to, and serious or repeated cases will result in removal from the community
The sooner you report it, the sooner we can act.
Consequences for unsolicited DMs
Anyone found to have sent unsolicited DMs - whether romantic in nature, advertising-related, or inviting members to external groups - will face consequences. Depending on severity and pattern:
- A formal warning
- Removal from one or more Keep Calm groups
- Permanent removal from the community
There is no grey area here. We do not tolerate this behaviour.
What to do if you want to message someone
If you've met someone at an event and want to message them about something sport-related or genuine, use common sense. If they don't reply, leave it. If you're unsure whether a message is appropriate, it probably isn't.
What to Avoid
❌ Referral links & promotions - No referral codes, affiliate links, ClassPass-style invites, or "sign up with my link" posts of any kind - in groups or via DM ❌ Event promotion - No posting guestlists, nightlife events, third-party fitness events, or invitations to other communities ❌ Spam - Promotional content, repeated messages, excessive media ❌ Off-topic chat - Save it for social groups or in person ❌ Negativity - Complaining without offering solutions ❌ Pressuring others - Let people make their own decisions about attending ❌ Venue harassment - Don't contact venues directly about bookings/cancellations ❌ Unsolicited DMs - Don't message members with invites, promotions, or unwanted contact ❌ Drama - Keep it friendly and drama-free
New Members
Joining Mid-Week
- If you join between polls, you may need to wait for the next cycle
- Can act as a reserve player or join ad-hoc games
- Use the time to read through pinned messages and get oriented
- Don't hesitate to ask questions - we're here to help!
Getting Started
- Read pinned messages in each group
- Introduce yourself briefly (name, experience level)
- Check out the sport-specific README files for details
- Join in the next poll or event
Consequences
We use a 3-strike system for repeated violations. In WhatsApp groups, strikes can be given for:
- Repeated rule violations or spam
- Harassment or inappropriate content
- Unsolicited DMs that make members uncomfortable
- Negative behavior affecting group morale
Serious cases (harassment, threatening messages, sexual content) may result in immediate removal without the normal strike progression.
Questions?
If you're unsure about anything:
- Check the pinned messages in your group
- Read the sport-specific README
- Ask an organizer privately
- Post a polite question in the group
Remember: These groups exist to bring people together through sports and fun. Let's keep them positive, organized, and welcoming for everyone!
See also: Event Rules for participation policies, and Organising in the Open if you're planning something for a niche within a bigger group.