In addition to the SFBC Values, Anti-Harassment Policy and the Conservation Guidelines, SFBC provides the following guidelines to cover all aspects of our community that we strive to achieve as adventurers, as cavers, and as people. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with them.
- Safety First. Prioritize your safety and the safety of others. If someone says “Stop,” stop immediately. Pause, and work with your group to figure out what is needed to remedy the situation.
- Respect for the cave. Follow our conservation guidelines. Leave the cave better than you found it. Pack out all trash and waste. If you break anything, notify the trip organizer immediately. Do not post locations online. Get permission as needed for the caving trip, such as from the WCC.
- Respect for participants. Our community is diverse. Treat others with respect first regardless of their background, beliefs, or abilities. Discrimination, harassment, and offensive behavior is not tolerated. Familiarize yourself with the policy. Be welcoming towards newcomers and open to experiences and opinions different than your own. Try not to assume someone’s experience level.
- Respect for organizers. Everyone is volunteering their time towards making a trip come to fruition or towards organizing a group. This is a difficult and time-consuming task. Listen to the advice provided about a trip, and ask questions as needed. Self-evaluate your skill level before signing up for a trip, and ask the organizer if you are unsure if you might be a suitable participant. No one is required to invite you on their trip. If someone tells you no, accept graciously and thank them. Do not argue. It is always ok to ask what skills you could improve or why you were not invited to join a trip, they are not required to answer. On inviting friends, always check first. (People of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds are welcome in the Grotto. Bringing pets into a cave is usually not a good idea.)
- Teamwork is a necessary component of caving. Foster a sense of teamwork and cooperation. Help when needed, and communicate openly with your group.
- Some caving gear can be hard to acquire. No one is required to lend your their caving gear. If you borrow someone else’s gear, return it in better condition than you borrowed it in (decontaminated and clean).
- Communication. Talking to people and making friends is the point of many grotto social events. People want to meet each other and learn about cool new caving LiDAR projects or rigging tips. On the other hand, if someone does not seem to want to talk to you, do not force them to. If they are walking away or looking away, they may not want to converse. Additionally, and on a larger scale, some groups of people are constantly talked over, ignored, or dismissed. Try not to interrupt, and try to leave space for everyone in a conversation. Use respectful language at all times. If there is conflict, try to use restorative communication. If there is a violation of the anti-harassment policy or if more assistance is needed, disengage and contact execs@sfbaycaving.org.