Rhine Valley Expats Community – Code of Conduct

1. Purpose of our community

The Rhine Valley Expats Community exists to:

Help internationals and expats feel at home in the Rhine Valley.
Support each other in settling, integrating and navigating daily life here.
Build meaningful connections between local and international members.
Create opportunities for growth, purpose and alternative career paths through networking and collaboration with local and international businesses.

Everything we do, online and offline, should reflect this purpose.

2. Our core principles

By joining and participating in this community, you agree to act in line with these principles:

Respect
- Treat everyone with courtesy, even if you disagree.
- No insults, personal attacks, bullying or harassment.
Inclusion
- We welcome people of all cultures, nationalities, backgrounds and beliefs.
- No discrimination based on race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or any other personal characteristic.
Support and collaboration
- Share knowledge, tips and experiences to help others settle and integrate.
- Offer help when you can and ask for help when you need it.
- Look for ways to collaborate with local people, organizations and businesses.
Constructive communication
- Be kind, clear and honest in your communication.
- Critique ideas, not people.
- Assume good intent, clarify before you react.
Contribution to local life
- Respect local laws, customs and norms.
- Be a good neighbor, guest and colleague.
- Aim to contribute positively to the region, not only benefit from it.

3. Online spaces (WhatsApp, social media, forums)

To keep our online spaces useful and pleasant:

Stay on topic
- Use the right group or channel for your message (social, housing, jobs, events, buy/sell, etc.).
- Avoid spam, chain messages and repeated posting of the same content.
Be considerate with promotions
- You may share your business, services or events if they are relevant to the community and region.
- No aggressive selling, pressure tactics or misleading offers.
- Mark ads or self-promotion clearly so people can choose to engage or skip.
No hate, harassment or harmful content
- No racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic or degrading comments.
- No content that glorifies violence or promotes hate groups.
Sensitive topics
- Discussions on politics and religion can easily escalate.
- If they appear, keep them respectful, local and practical (for example, voting rules, public holidays, how things work here) and avoid campaigning or attacking groups of people.
- Moderators may close or remove conversations that create division rather than community.
Language
- English is our main language so as many people as possible can participate.
- You are welcome to use German or other languages in private messages or clearly marked posts.

4. Offline meetups and events

When you attend or host an event under the Rhine Valley Expats name:

Be on time and reliable
- If you RSVP, do your best to show up.
- If you cannot come, cancel early so others can take your place.
Respect the host and venue
- Follow house rules and venue rules.
- Leave the place as clean or cleaner than you found it.
Consider families and children
- If an event is child-friendly, respect that some people are there with kids.
- Be mindful of language, alcohol use and safety.
Alcohol and substances
- Drink responsibly if alcohol is served.
- No illegal drugs at community events.
Safety first
- Follow local regulations and basic safety rules.
- If someone feels unsafe or uncomfortable, take it seriously and support them in speaking to an organizer or moderator.

5. Professional networking and business activities

Our community encourages collaboration between expats, internationals, local professionals and businesses.

Be honest and transparent
- Share accurate information about your services, products or company.
- Do not make false claims or hide important details.
Respect boundaries
- Do not pressure people into business deals, coaching, MLM schemes or investments.
- If someone is not interested, accept it graciously.
Give more than you take
- Aim to provide value: advice, introductions, resources, support.
- Think long-term relationships, not quick wins.
No exploitation
- Do not use the community to exploit vulnerable people, especially those who are new, do not speak the language yet or are under financial pressure.

6. Privacy and data

Respect the privacy of other members.
Do not share screenshots, messages, photos or personal information outside the group without clear permission.
Do not add people to groups or mailing lists without their consent.
If you collect any data (for example for a project, event or survey), be clear about why and how it will be used.

7. Conflicts and issues

Conflicts will happen. How we handle them matters.

Try to solve small misunderstandings directly in a calm and respectful way.
If you feel harassed, discriminated against or unsafe, or if direct resolution is not possible, contact a moderator or organizing team member.
Moderators may:
- Ask people to change or remove a post.
- Move a discussion to a more appropriate space.
- Issue a warning.
- Remove members from events or groups in serious or repeated cases.

The organizing team will act in good faith to protect the community and its purpose.

8. Acceptance of the Code of Conduct

By joining the Rhine Valley Expats Community and participating in its online and offline activities, you confirm that you:

Have read this Code of Conduct.
Agree to follow it.
Understand that repeated or serious violations can lead to removal from the community spaces and events.

Together we can build a supportive, friendly and inspiring community that helps each of us feel at home in the Rhine Valley and contribute positively to our new home, whether temporary or long term.