Bonfire Membership Agreement

Welcome to Bonfire! By joining a Bonfire Local Group and checking the Membership Agreement box, you agree to the following terms of membership.

MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT

As a member of Bonfire, you agree to:

• Participate in good faith, with generosity of spirit, and with kindness
• Engage in local group activities when possible
• Contribute to planning and executing activities for your local group
• Communicate clearly in person and in the WhatsApp group
• Respect the time and effort your Group Leader puts into our community
• Contribute to a positive, growth-oriented atmosphere
• Adhere to and uphold our values and code of conduct

Bonfire is built for anyone who identifies as a woman. However, we welcome people from all genders. We embrace people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, races, religions, sexual orientations, economic backgrounds, and immigration statuses. We seek to create spaces where everyone can thrive authentically. 

OUR VALUES

As a member of Bonfire, you agree to uphold our core values:

Inclusivity – Bonfire is built for anyone who identifies as a woman. We embrace people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, races, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, economic backgrounds, and immigration statuses. We seek to create spaces where everyone can thrive authentically.

Dialogue – We champion free expression and honest conversation, even when topics are complex. We desire to create spaces for difficult discussions while respecting differing and diverse perspectives.

Curiosity – We approach each other and our world with open minds and open hearts. Asking questions, deep listening, and learning together are core to our values.

Local Impact – Change starts in our own backyards. We believe in the power of showing up for our neighbors, engaging with local issues, and building the communities we want to live in. We prioritize empathy and consideration for those in our communities facing challenges or marginalization.

Joy – Caring about the world doesn’t mean we can’t have fun doing it. We believe in the power of laughter, celebration, and finding light even in challenging times.

Authenticity – Real community happens when we show up as ourselves – messy, growing, imperfect, and human. We choose vulnerability over perfection.

Collaboration – Each of us has something to teach and something to learn. Through shared experiences and learning together, we want everyone to be comfortable finding their voice and expressing themselves.

Justice – We believe in fairness, equity, and systems that work for everyone. When we see injustice in our communities, we organize, advocate, and take action together.
Democracy – Every person deserves a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. We support fair processes, due process, and equal access to civic participation regardless of background or status.

CODE OF CONDUCT

To ensure every community member feels safe, valued, and empowered to participate, you agree to:

Create Inclusive Spaces

• Welcome everyone: Greet newcomers warmly and help them feel at home
• Use inclusive language: Be mindful that our community includes people of all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences
• Share the space: Make room for others to speak and participate
• Respect different perspectives

Foster Authentic Connection

• Show up as yourself: Bring your genuine self – questions, struggles, sadness, and joy
• Listen with curiosity: Ask questions to understand, not to judge or fix
• Honor confidentiality: What’s shared in our circle stays in our circle unless someone gives permission otherwise
• Support each other: Celebrate wins, offer encouragement during challenges

Engage Constructively

• Disagree with grace: It’s okay to disagree; it’s not okay to dismiss or attack
• Focus on impact, not just intent: If someone feels hurt by your words, listen and learn
• Stay curious about local issues: We’re here to engage with our community, not retreat from it
• Separate people from positions: We can challenge ideas while respecting the humans who hold them

Build Community Together

• Participate actively: Come ready to engage, not just observe
• Follow through on commitments: If you volunteer for something, show up or communicate if you can’t
• Support local engagement: Attend our monthly events as well as the outings, community events, or volunteer opportunities that members organize
• Extend friendship beyond meetings: The real magic happens in the connections that grow outside our monthly gatherings

We Don’t Tolerate

You agree NOT to engage in:

• Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, economic background, or any other identity
• Harassment, bullying, or intimidation in any form
• Hate speech or language that dehumanizes any group of people
• Disrupting meetings or monopolizing conversation time
• Sharing private information about other members without consent
• Using our community to promote personal business interests without permission

CONFIDENTIALITY

You understand that personal stories, experiences, and information shared during Bonfire gatherings are confidential. You agree not to share others’ personal information or stories outside the community without explicit permission.

ACCOUNTABILITY

If you violate this Code of Conduct, Bonfire may take action including private conversation, mediation, temporary suspension from events, or termination of membership. We reserve the right to immediately remove any member whose conduct poses a threat to the safety or wellbeing of other members.

CHANGES TO THIS AGREEMENT

We may update this agreement from time to time. We’ll notify you of any material changes, and your continued membership constitutes acceptance of those changes.