Dear Canto Members:

We are in the process of adopting some changes in the Cantonese Language Group so that we can serve you better. The changes are to address to three issues: 1) No Shows and Flakes, 2) Identifying Group Members, and 3) Unsolicited and Offensive Messages

NO SHOWS AND FLAKES

We discourage both no-shows and flakes. Our great member Kat has used the "three strikes" rule in discouraging no-shows and flakes. If you have RSVPed YES to an event, please show up. If something came up, please notify the organizer of the event as why you are not showing up. If you have 3 unexplained no-shows, we will remove you from this group.

In addition, we really discourage members from holding a spot in the event and changing their minds just a few days before the event date. That is both inconsiderate to the organizer and members who really want to attend the event. Again, we understand things do come up. If you don't let the organizer know as why you are doing that, we will treat you as a no-show. And again "three strikes", you are out.

IDENTIFYING GROUP MEMBERS

We have hosted events in a public setting where we cannot find members and waste the entire group's time figuring out who has arrived before starting. We also have members who have not participated in any event. A few of you don't have any photo posted in your profile. After discussing these two issues among the Canto Organizers and with organizers of other groups, we decide that we make it mandatory for each member to have a photo of himself/herself in the profile to prevent anonymous malicious activity and allow the group to identify you at an event. We also need you to update your profile so that your first name would appear there. We have already made it a requirement for any new membership request.

I understand why people want to stay a bit anonymous, but at the same time, this makes things problematic due to abuse (sending malicious email, being aggressive with members, etc etc), and of course trying to take a proper head count before starting a event (especially true for ticketed events).

UNSOLICITED AND OFFENSIVE MESSAGES
After talking to organizers from other groups, I have learned that we need to discourage inappropriate messages to fellow members. If you have received those messages from other members that are not solicited, please report them to both Meetup.com and the Canto Organizers. We will REMOVE and BAN those members from the Cantonese Language Group.

Thank you and We appreciate your understanding,
Your CLG Organizers