Community guidelines

VillageGather is built for parent-controlled, lower-pressure homeschool connections. These guidelines keep the app focused, respectful, and safer for families.

Use parent-to-parent contact

• No child accounts.
• No child-to-child messaging through VillageGather.
• Parents or guardians should manage all introductions and contact sharing.

Protect children

• Avoid full names, exact schedules, school-like routines, street addresses, or other identifying details.
• Use nicknames or first names for child interest profiles.
• Avoid uploading identifiable photos of children unless you have permission and are comfortable with signed-in parents seeing them.

Be honest and respectful

Do not impersonate others, harass families, pressure people for contact details, post hateful content, or misrepresent your intentions.

Use Local Plans thoughtfully

• Choose community interests that genuinely fit your family.
• Suggest plans only when the details are appropriate, accurate, parent-led, and suitable for a public or family-friendly space.
• Use RSVP tools honestly so plan creators can understand interest.
• Do not use Local Plan tools to spam, solicit, pressure, or bypass another family's boundaries.

Respect privacy settings

If another family pauses visibility, hides from Directory, blocks you, or declines an intro, respect that choice and do not try to work around it.

Meet thoughtfully

If you choose an in-person plan with another family, start in a public place or family-friendly public space such as a library, park, museum, community center, or similar location. Keep communication parent-led and use your own judgment.

Keep notifications welcome

Email alerts are meant to help parents notice relevant activity. Do not create plans, RSVPs, or profile activity just to trigger unwanted notifications.

Report concerns

Use report and block controls when something feels wrong. Reports help admins review accounts, images, and safety concerns.