Community Guidelines

Welcome to the Valpo.blog Community! 🍿

Effective Date: January 16, 2025
Last Updated: January 16, 2025

Valpo.blog exists to strengthen our Valparaiso community by connecting neighbors, supporting local businesses, and celebrating what makes our city special. These guidelines help ensure our platform remains welcoming, helpful, and focused on our shared community.

Our Community Values

🏠 Local First

  • • Content should be relevant to Valparaiso, Indiana and surrounding areas
  • • Prioritize local businesses, events, and community members
  • • Support your neighbors and local economy

🤝 Respectful Engagement

  • • Treat all community members with kindness and respect
  • • Disagree without being disagreeable
  • • Celebrate our community's diversity

📢 Helpful Information

  • • Share accurate, up-to-date information
  • • Verify event details before posting
  • • Help others discover what's happening locally

🛡️ Safe Space

  • • Keep content family-friendly and appropriate for all ages
  • • Report concerning behavior to help maintain community safety
  • • Protect privacy and personal information

Content Guidelines

✅ Encouraged Content

Events & Activities

  • • Local events, festivals, and community gatherings
  • • Business openings, sales, and special offers
  • • Educational workshops and classes
  • • Volunteer opportunities
  • • Community meetings and civic events

Local Business Support

  • • Business spotlights and reviews
  • • Local vendor and creator features
  • • Garage sale listings
  • • Community marketplace items

Community News

  • • Local government updates
  • • School district news
  • • Community achievements and milestones
  • • Public safety information

❌ Prohibited Content

Off-Topic Content

  • • Events or businesses outside the Valparaiso area
  • • National politics or divisive political content
  • • Content unrelated to our local community

Inappropriate Content

  • • Hate speech, discrimination, or harassment
  • • Adult content or inappropriate language
  • • Violent or disturbing imagery
  • • Spam or repetitive promotional content

Misleading Information

  • • False or fabricated events
  • • Misleading business information
  • • Scams or fraudulent offers
  • • Unverified claims or rumors

Reporting Issues

If you encounter content that violates these guidelines:

  1. Use the report feature on the specific content
  2. Contact us through the website contact form
  3. Email with subject line "Community Guidelines Violation"
  4. Provide specific details about the violation

Consequences for Violations

Minor Violations

  • • Content removal
  • • Warning message
  • • Request for correction

Serious Violations

  • • Temporary account suspension
  • • Content review requirements
  • • Loss of posting privileges

Severe Violations

  • • Permanent account ban
  • • Content removal
  • • Law enforcement notification (if applicable)

Appeals Process

If you believe content was removed in error:

  1. Contact us within 30 days of removal
  2. Provide specific information about the content
  3. Explain why you believe the removal was incorrect
  4. We'll review and respond within 5 business days

Contact Us

For questions about these guidelines:

  • Website: https://valpo.blog (contact form)
  • Subject Line: "Community Guidelines Question"
  • Response Time: Within 3 business days

Thank you for helping make Valpo.blog a welcoming space for our entire community!

Together, we're discovering what's poppin' in Valparaiso! 🍿