Community Guidelines

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Respectful Communication

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Members should engage in respectful and courteous communication at all times.  To further maintain a positive and relaxed retreat environment please refrain from “yucking” someone’s “yum” during any group activity!

Zero Tolerance Policy

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Harassment and abusive language directed at other guests or staff is not tolerated. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, offensive verbal comments related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, spiritual beliefs, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Guests and staff asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Promoting hate or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability, verbally, or by any other manner, is strictly prohibited. After one warning, the violator will be removed from the retreat without a refund.

Privacy

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Members must respect the privacy of others and not share personal information without consent, not to others on the retreat, and not online.

If you’re posting retreat photos or videos, please make sure everyone featured is comfortable being shared—especially if you’re posting outside the group or tagging Hey Bestie! Reading Retreats. Consent always comes first.

No illegal activity

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Respect the space

Prohibited Items

Property Damage

Trigger Warnings and Sensitive Subjects

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Illegal activities of any kind are strictly prohibited on Hey Bestie! time and premises. There is no drug use allowed at any time. To the extent permitted by the property, smoking and vaping is allowed only in a designated area removed from the buildings and gathering spaces. Alcohol consumption is limited to designated areas and times during group events.

Participants must leave the grounds and common and resident spaces in the same condition they are found in and report any damage that may occur while you are on the property.

Respect for the property is crucial to our time together in the space. Guests and attendees are required to:

  • safeguard and keep free from damage the premises, including the walls, flooring, ceiling and grounds, and all other items in and around the premises;

  • safeguard and keep free from damage any furniture, appliances or objects on display

Attendees cannot bring the following to the retreat without permission:

  • pets (except for guide dogs and certified emotional support animals, for which documentation will be required in advance for admittance)

  • appliances or other equipment for heating or cooking purposes

  • any sporting equipment, including but not limited to boats or floatation devices, such as canoes, kayaks or rafts.

Attendees are liable for any damage, however caused, to Hey Bestie! Reading Retreat spaces  or injury to any person caused by violation of the Code of Conduct or this policy. The company reserves the right to retain attendee credit or debit card details and charge or debit such amounts to pay for loss, damage, costs or expenses.

When discussing books with heavy themes (violence, trauma, grief, etc.), please give a quick content warning so guests can choose whether to engage. Everyone’s comfort levels are different, and we want this to remain a safe space for all.

Group changes and removals

To keep the space positive and supportive, Hey Bestie! reserves the right to remove members who break the guidelines or disrupt the community vibe. We want to protect the warmth and trust that makes this space special.

Safety is our first priority

Hey Bestie! Reading Retreats is a private company, and the retreat experience must remain a safe environment for all Besties. Anyone who violates the core tenets contained in this policy will be asked to leave the retreat premises early, without refund at the sole discretion of Hey Bestie!