Non-Negotiable Guidelines

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These guidelines are designed to ensure that LangStay remains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for everyone involved, while also protecting the project’s integrity.

• Definitions:
  • Leader: The project team leader responsible for overseeing all operations, managing volunteers, and ensuring the success of the project.
  • Staff or Volunteer: International volunteers who help run and lead the project, contributing to its daily operations and overall mission.
  • Participants: Individuals who use our program or facility, primarily local Koreans, international travelers, or students.

These guidelines are crafted from 「real experiences」 to prevent issues and ensure smooth operations. Adhering to them is essential for maintaining harmony and advancing our mission.

By following these guidelines, we can collectively ensure the success and integrity of LangStay, navigating our unique challenges with professionalism and respect.

• Maintain Cleanliness:
  All volunteers are required to keep their personal spaces and shared areas clean and tidy at all times. This includes cleaning up after meals, organizing materials after use, and ensuring that common areas are ready for the next activity.
• Quiet Hours:
  Quiet hours are from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. During this time, noise should be kept to a minimum to respect the comfort of others living in LangStay.
• Health and Safety Reporting:
  Volunteers must immediately report to the leader if they feel unwell, especially if there are symptoms that may require hospital examination or treatment. This is critical to maintaining the health and safety of everyone in the shared space.
• Respect Shared Spaces:
  Don’t monopolize shared areas; keep them accessible to others. Frequent use brings greater responsibility. Avoid changes that disrupt the setup, mood, or noise level, and keep hallways clear of personal items to ensure easy movement. If you show responsibility in maintaining these spaces, you may be granted extended use or have personal requests considered by the leader. Shared spaces should be welcoming for everyone.
• Do Not Move or Alter Shared Equipment:
  Do not move or modify shared equipment or items, especially if they are related to facility maintenance or need to be accessible to multiple people. If something is wrong or you have a suggestion for improvement, speak with the leader or suggest your idea in advance, rather than making changes on your own.

1. Mandatory Task Completion:
   Each volunteer is assigned specific tasks that must be completed by the end of each day or week, depending on the task. These tasks are non-negotiable and essential for the smooth running of the LangStay project.
2. Attendance at Group Meetings:
   Attendance at scheduled group meetings and briefings is mandatory. These meetings are crucial for coordinating activities, sharing updates, and addressing any concerns.
3. Communication and Responsiveness:
   Volunteers are required to maintain an open line of communication with the leader. They must promptly respond to any requests or instructions from the leader and report back when asked to provide updates on specific tasks or situations.
4. Demonstrate Proactivity:
   Volunteers should not rely on the leader to manage tasks or make suggestions a precondition for involvement. Instead, they should demonstrate proactivity and start with what they can do, one step at a time.
5. Anti-Idleness:
   Volunteers are expected to stay actively engaged and avoid idleness or disengagement. Rather than focusing solely on finding other opportunities, volunteers are encouraged to contribute by suggesting new ideas, developing programs, or consulting with the leader to address personal needs. The project leader is also supportive of helping volunteers explore better opportunities if appropriate.

1. Be Prepared:
   Volunteers must be ready and prepared before starting tasks. Last-minute rushing or other disruptive behaviors are discouraged to maintain team morale and efficiency.
2. Sincerity and Honesty:
   Volunteers are expected to act with sincerity and honesty in all their interactions. Deceptive behavior, dishonesty, or manipulation is strictly prohibited and goes against the core values of LangStay.
3. Respectful Communication:
   Volunteers must communicate respectfully with each other, the leader, and local Koreans involved in the project. Disrespectful behavior, such as rude language or uncooperative attitudes, will not be tolerated.
4. No Arguments During Tasks:
   Constructive feedback is welcome, but arguments or confrontations during tasks are not allowed. Any issues should be discussed during designated times or privately with the leader.
5. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest:
   Volunteers should avoid activities that conflict with LangStay’s goals or could harm its reputation. Examples include joining similar cultural exchange or language programs at other locations, sharing LangStay's internal strategies with external groups, or engaging in activities that compete with or detract from the success of LangStay.
6. Respect for Leadership:
   Volunteers must respect the leader’s decisions, especially on matters related to Korean cultural norms, the local community, and similar projects. Actions that undermine the leader’s authority or harm the project’s integrity are strictly prohibited.

1. Adhere to Safety Protocols:
   All safety protocols must be followed, especially in the context of living in a shared space. This includes locking doors, reporting any hazards, and following emergency procedures if necessary.
2. No Unauthorized Visitors:
   Visitors to LangStay are not allowed without prior permission from the team leader. This rule is in place to maintain the safety and security of all residents.
3. Report Health Concerns Promptly:
   If a volunteer experiences or notices symptoms that could indicate a serious health issue, they must report this immediately to the leader. This helps ensure that any necessary medical attention can be provided without delay.
4. Overnight Stays and Late Hours:
   Volunteers must inform the team leader if they plan to leave Seoul, stay out between 11:30 PM and 6:00 AM, or spend a night outside. If frequent absences (three times per week or more) or staying out overnight impacts their tasks, it will be taken seriously. Failing to report such plans, especially if it disrupts work, may result in removal from the project.
5. Group Gatherings:
   If more than two volunteers plan to gather together outside of the facility, they must report the plan to the leader. Additionally, if the gathering involves over 40% of the volunteers and is not held within the LangStay facility, it requires prior permission from the leader to ensure safety and proper coordination.

1. Focus on Our Program Goals:
   Volunteers are expected to remain focused on the primary goals of LangStay, which are to facilitate cultural exchange and language practice between local Koreans and foreign volunteers.
2. Stay Focused on Our Goals:
   Volunteers should prioritize LangStay’s mission of facilitating cultural exchange and language practice between local Koreans and international volunteers.
3. Maintain Professional Boundaries:
   To preserve the integrity of the program:
   1. No Sharing of Contacts, and Limit Socializing with participants:
      Volunteers should not share contacts with participants or socialize with them outside of program activities.
   2. Suggesting Improvements:
      Instead of forming close personal relationships with participants, volunteers are encouraged to suggest activities or improvements that align with LangStay’s goals.
4. Why These Boundaries Matter:
   These guidelines help ensure that the program remains a structured environment for cultural and language exchange. Personal relationships outside the program can disrupt participation and discourage involvement in future events.

1. Personal Information:
   Volunteers may encounter personal information about participants, staff, or other volunteers. This information must be kept private and not shared or discussed outside of what is necessary for the project.
2. Sensitive Information:
   Volunteers must not disclose sensitive details such as passwords for facilities, devices, or accounts (e.g., door locks, CCTV systems), or detailed information about equipment (e.g., model numbers, serial numbers). Unofficial documents, drafts, plans, and ideas must also be kept confidential.
3. Project Details:
   Information about volunteer or staff schedules, such as arrivals and departures, along with any other internal project details, should remain confidential to protect the integrity and security of the program.
4. Reporting Breaches:
   If you observe, suspect, or even guess that a breach of confidentiality may occur or has occurred, it is your duty to report it to the leader immediately.
5. Responsibility:
   All volunteers are responsible for maintaining confidentiality. Breaches may result in serious consequences, including removal from the project.

• Verbal Warning:
  The first instance of breaking any non-negotiable guideline will result in a verbal warning from the leader.
• Loss of Privileges:
  Continued non-compliance may result in the loss of privileges, such as participation in cultural outings or preferred tasks.
• Possible Removal from Project:
  Persistent disregard for the guidelines, or involvement in serious misconduct as described above, may lead to the volunteer being asked to leave the project.
• Collective Misconduct:
  Collective actions that undermine the leader’s authority, create divisions, or oppose other volunteers will be taken very seriously. Even minor instances may lead to immediate and severe consequences, including removal from the project.