Yearn Community Guidelines

Our Intent

Welcome to the Yearn community. Our mission is to serve as the platform that inspires you to spread positive light into the world. 

How we show up for each other drives so much of the experience. These guidelines are meant to create a space where we can feel safe being open, vulnerable, and deeply authentic. 

1. Be Fully Present

• The Yearn is an opportunity to disconnect from our everyday lives to reconnect with ourselves. Please yearn to be present and open for each other.

• Be deeply curious about others. We invite you to skip the small talk and yearn for meaningful conversation.

• Yearn to know who people are, not what they do. We discourage the question "What do you do?" as the Yearn is for connecting, not networking. 

2. Respect Safety and Confidentiality

• Having others feel safe is our collective responsibility and highest priority.

• Invite rather than push: if someone, including you, is not ready to share something, that should be respected.

• We practice mindful media. Please receive consent before sharing any media online. 

• Please maintain strict confidentiality (Chatham House Rules). What happens at the Yearn, stays in your heart. 

• Take action by notifying an elder or event organizer if you notice someone feeling unsafe.

3. Be Curious and Playful

• You said Yes to The YEARN. Continue to say Yes at The YEARN. Curiosity will get you everywhere. 

• We play with purpose. Play nourishes our souls and bonds us. Express the joy that inspires others to do the same.  

• Bring an open mind. Accidentally on purpose, serendipity happens with impossible probability at the Yearn. Follow that white rabbit. 🐇 

4. Honor Time and Attention

• When listening, focus attention on understanding rather than responding. When sharing, be mindful of the allotted air time to allow room for everyone to share.

• Be judgement free. Before offering advice or feedback, please ask if it's welcome.

• Be a host. Warmly welcome others into conversations. Provide the inclusion you’d love to experience.

• Practice “divine timing”. Yearn to get to sessions on time so the group is not kept waiting.

5. Get Clear Consent

• Let consent be a natural part of how we connect, simple, human, and easy to ask. Before any physical touch, check in rather than assume.

• Honor all responses. Silence or hesitation are a “no.” Err on the side of care. Practice the “enthusiastic yes” principle. Anything less than a clear yes is a “no, thank you.” Receive all responses with warmth and respect.

• Stay curious and present. Notice cues, check in, and allow people to change their minds at any time. Connection takes many forms. Let every interaction be mutual and chosen.

6. Do Not Solicit

• Even subtle solicitation gets in the way of full participation. So the Yearn is a strict non-solicitation zone. If you are asked, feel free to speak about professional offerings but save commercial conversations for after the Yearn and only, if invited.

• Ask before posting. If you are not sure if and how you can engage an individual or the community with an offering, please ask an Elder.

7. Integrate the Experience

• Recognize that time will help you reflect, rest, and integrate your experience at the Yearn back into your everyday life. We recommend you make a conscious commitment to do so.

• The transformation continues long after our gathering concludes.

• If inspired, we hope you share that positive light you will carry back home from the Yearn with your friends, family, coworkers, and community.

For Workshops & Sessions

• Honor the expertise of presenters. Share your own wisdom only if asked.

• Participate at your own comfort level, knowing "pass" is always an option.

• If you arrive late, respect any signs to not interrupt the group.

• Practice JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out. Don’t worry about getting to every session and don’t feel anxiety if you miss one. At The YEARN, you are always exactly where you are supposed to be.

Questions?

Please reach out to a Yearn elder.