Newsletter

BeWelcome – May 2023 Newsletter

BeWelcome – The Largest Free Hospitality Community

 

Hello anonymous, 

 

Travels are happening and what better way to experience travel than to make new friends in the place you are traveling to. Everyday, BeWelcome creates memorable experiences, friendships and connections that can more likely than not, last a lifetime, because many of us won't lose that passion to travel and have new experiences. Whether hosting, staying, or meeting up, we can be 18 or 87 to do it. 

 

Thank you for being part of this growing and continually developing community we have. In this Newsletter, you can learn more about meet ups, staying in touch via Instagram, and some tips as you use BeWelcome.

 

Happy Traveling, Hosting and Connecting,      

 

 

Contents:

 

  •  BeWelcome Meetups that Happen Around the World 
     
  •  The New Instagram channel!  @bewelcome
     
  •   Some Important Safety Advice for Hosts
     
  •  Donations Campaign
     

 

BeWelcome Meetups that Happen Around the World 

 

BeWelcome meetups are always happening but many members don't always know they are going on. Being a member of BeWelcome isn't just limited to hosting and staying, but rather members enjoy meeting up at pubs, cafes, parks, houses, restaurants, beaches, and boats to name a few options. You can create activities or discover them at https://www.bewelcome.org/activities/upcoming

Here are a few photos from some meetups across the world as they happen. 

Here in Brazil a BeWelcome group meets for a shared Yoga class : 

 

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Here in Serbia, large groups get together for language and cultural exchange: 

 

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Here a regular meetup in Dusseldorf happens every Friday 

 

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Want to find or create your own events? Check out Activities here 

 

 

New Instagram Channel @bewelcome

 

After some attempts over the years, we finally were able to claim the Instagram handle @bewelcome! The old instagram @bewelcome.hospitality has now been retired. 

You can check out fun stories and experiences at our Instagram Here 
and also feel free to tag your pictures and videos with #bewelcome

Additionally, If you want to show how active BeWelcome is please send an email to instagram@bewelcome.net or media@bewelcome.org with your photos. A link to where we can find videos is also welcome. Please mention where you want us to post your pictures: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or in our next newsletter.

 

 

Some Important Safety Advice for Hosts

 

The influx of new members from another hospitality exchange platform has attracted not only good people but a few bad seeds. Unfortunately, one serial thief has been discovered who started to use BeWelcome. As you plan to host,  the BeWelcome Safety Team has some advice:

  • Take some time to read your potential guest's profile. You don't need to feel pressured to say yes from last minute requests.
     
  • Does your potential guest have any comments made by others on their profile? What do they say about the person?
     
  • Is the person you invited into your home recognizable in a photo? If not: be a bit extra careful and you can always take a photo with your guest early on (which is always a good idea). 
     
  • Don't just hide valuables somewhere between your stuff - put them somewhere really safe. Valuables are not only cash or electronic gadgets like tablets, notebooks or cameras but also souvenirs that are important to you.
     
  • If there is any doubt in your mind, then don't host the person, or just end the hosting experience. 
     
  • It's always good to answer hosting requests in the BeWelcome messaging system. This way in case of problems with a member, the Safety Team can warn you and you can prove more easily what was discussed and agreed. 
     
  • Hand over keys only when needed and you really trust your guest. 
     
  • Report problems to the Safety Team or write a profile comment as quickly as possible. 
     

Always remember: Hospitality is a gift that you grant voluntarily and does not include moral obligations.

 

 

Donations Campaign

 

BeWelcome runs on a small budget of around 5,000 Euros per year because ALL work is done by unpaid   volunteers. What BeWelcome still has to pay are for example server costs and domain registration. 

 

Each year the General Assembly of BeVolunteer, the legal entitly behind our community, decides the budget for the upcoming year and sets a donation goal. Some years ago, BeWelcome received a large donation - that allowed our budget to be very low for many years. Now, for this year 2022 - 2023 the donation goal reflects the true budgeted expenses: 4,912 Euros. So if you can: 

   Please donate!

 

Finally, what BeWelcome needs more than money are volunteers! If you have some hours to spend and are willing to move our community forward please get in touch with the contact for your area of interest

Help BeWelcome 

We have great thought out ideas for improving our website and mobile app and need help developing and implementing these features so everyone in our community can benefit. Come join the family.

 

Thank you for reading 


Your Communications Team

 

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