EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
We want everyone to have a great time at our events. The SFVS Community Agreements (below) is our simple way of making sure everyone feels respected, included and comfortable. It’s a shared promise to show up with kindness, listen well, and treat each other with care. Together, we create a space where everyone belongs and thrives.
SFVS Community Agreements
Our Community Agreements apply to all official SFVS events, including potlucks, volunteer days, book club, and restaurant dinners. To ensure SFVS is a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space, we invite everyone to practice these shared commitments:
We value each other's time
Arriving on time—especially for restaurant reservations or volunteer shifts—shows respect for the collective group and our hosts. If running late, we do our best to notify the event host.
We greet with consent
Some of us love hugs, while others prefer a wave, a fist-bump, or a smile. This applies to our non-human friends, too! We always ask before touching a person, their children, or their companion animal. Greeting others—human or non-human—the way they prefer helps everyone feel safe and respected.
We protect personal space
We combine We avoid hovering or crowding, recognizing that some people and animals need extra physical space to feel at ease. If a person or an animal’s guardian requests space or declines an interaction, we honor that boundary fully and gracefully.a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
We practice presence and support
We strive to bring encouraging energy to our gatherings. If we need to use our phones, we step away from the group to keep the social space focused on connection.
We make space for all voices
If we tend to talk a lot, we practice pausing and inviting others in. If we are naturally quieter, we remember our voices matter and share them when we feel comfortable.
We share the bounty
At potlucks or dinners, we remain mindful of others when serving ourselves to ensure there is plenty for everyone.
We care for our environment
We keep pathways and exits clear for accessibility. If we make a mess, we tidy up after ourselves to support our volunteer team and restaurant hosts.
Upholding Our Space together
Because we prioritize a safe and comfortable environment over any single individual’s right to attend, our event hosts are empowered to ask anyone to leave if they are unable to respect these personal or animal boundaries.
Supporting One Another
If you feel uncomfortable or notice something that concerns you, please speak to an SFVS host on-site immediately so we can support you in the moment. While our ability to intervene after an event is limited, we always want to know how we can do better; you can share feedback or report a conduct issue via the feedback form on the Contact page of our website.