Respectful Community Guidelines
A Chautari is a place of welcome, and we keep it that way together.
The Foundation
Nepali culture has always valued hospitality, respect for elders, care for guests, and community harmony. These are not just traditions from the past, they are values that can guide how we treat one another here in Thunder Bay, too.
NEST is built on these values. Our community events, our volunteer work, our social media presence, and our shared spaces are all extensions of the same Chautari: a place where everyone is welcome, and where everyone is expected to act accordingly.
Our Community Standards
NEST asks all community members, event participants, volunteers, members, and guests to:
1. Treat everyone with dignity
Every person at a NEST event, in our social media spaces, and within our community deserves to be treated with basic respect, regardless of where they are from in Nepal, how long they have been in Canada, what language they speak, what they believe, or what role they hold.
2. Disagree respectfully
You may not agree with every decision NEST makes, that is entirely reasonable. Respectful questions and constructive feedback help us improve. Personal attacks, insults, name-calling, or harassment of board members, volunteers, or community members are not acceptable and serve no useful purpose.
3. Contribute before you criticize
Communities are built by those who step forward. If something is not going the way you think it should, consider helping to change it: volunteer, offer your skills, come to the AGM, or submit a suggestion through the contact form.
4. Respect privacy
Do not share photos, personal information, or stories about community members without their knowledge and consent.
5. Use official NEST channels
For questions about NEST decisions, events, or policies, please use official channels: tbaynepali.ca, @tbaynepali, or [email protected]. NEST cannot be held responsible for information, rumors, or claims circulated through unofficial groups, chats, or pages.
6. Protect the children and youth in our community
All events involving children require appropriate care, supervision, and consent. Any inappropriate behavior toward children will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
7. Support volunteers
Our board members and volunteers are unpaid community members who give their time freely. Please treat them with the same patience and generosity you would want extended to yourself.
Why This Matters
It is easy to build a community when everything is going well. The real test is how we treat each other when things are imperfect, when an event does not go as planned, when a decision is made that not everyone agrees with, or when volunteers are stretched thin. In those moments, we ask: what kind of community do we want to be? We believe the answer is the kind where people help first, criticize gently, and keep coming back.
Consequences of Disrespect
NEST reserves the right to remove individuals from community events, social media platforms, or future participation if their conduct is disrespectful, harmful, or damaging to the community. This is not about silencing disagreement, it is about protecting the community, including the volunteers who give so much to make NEST possible.
A Final Word
A Chautari is only as good as the people who use it with care. Come to this community willing to give something, and you will always find it was worth it. Help us build the community you wish to see.
