Keeping Safe

We drill into our children's heads when they are online about staying safe - but what about YOU - how safe are you being online?

With the way our particular MamaBake group works it would be easy to be free in our group (which is closed so only members can read anything that is posted, events are closed to members only - these are the two precautions I can take to try to protect you) online. However, we have to be mindful of what information we share online, and how we go about friending people via facebook.

To give you a rough guide - as admin I do not add a person to the group unless I have:

a) Seen they have friends already in the group - that way I'm making you somewhat responsible for the people entering the group as I believe you will stand up and say 'that person mightn't be the best fit to the MamaBake ideals'
b) In the event they don't have any friends in the group already I will send them a message via Facebook to find out how they found out about us.

I know that sounds like I'm being a control freak and (for want of a better term) a 'parent' but I only do so to try to protect you - if there are suggestions for other ways to protect us please let me know.

At the first sign of trouble I will have no hesitation in removing members who are breeching the ideals as laid out in the MamaFesto- I want people to feel safe and comfortable, afterall we're trying to build communities here. I know there are going to be personality clashes and that is fine - it happens - we're not going to all 'click' with everyone (I'd hazard a guess there are individuals that don't 'click' with me either) - I just trust in that instance you will be adult enough to simply not be in the same space as each other. We're not running a dictatorship but at the same time we need to be mindful of why we're in MamaBake to start with - be it for emotional support, building community, learning new techniques, the list truly goes on.

Cliques and bitchiness will not be tolerated - this is NOT what MamaBake is about, and I know this isn't what anyone else wants for our group - we are about supporting each other, nourishing each other, helping each other. We are grown adults and I trust we can all act that way. Obviously not everyone will like everyone - it's human nature - I just ask that you be adult in your interactions with each other.

If you ever encounter any issues - please feel free to message myself via facebook or email at mamabakeinmacarthur@gmail.com so we can try to sort through the problem with the least amount of fuss possible - often issues are the result of a simple misunderstanding that can be sorted out quite quickly and painlessly.

I have taken the steps to seek out public spaces for the main reason of giving everyone a space to meet in initially that is neutral (plus it's a bonus that it's not our kitchens being used ;) )- so you can get the 'feel' for someone. It's quite a massive step to open your home to people you have never met before and I understand and appreciate that, so I hope that the ability to met in a neutral stress free environment helps to ease those nerves and fears.

That's what I can do to help keep you safe - but what can you do?

1. Smart - Be smart about the information you provide online - Meet people in person before friending on Facebook, don't give out identifying details (children's names/address/school) until you have been to a meet or two and feel comfortable with the person. Ensure that your privacy settings are all set to 'friends only'.
2. Meet - Meeting people you have only talked to online can potentially be an uncomfortable situation - I know we meet in others homes, but maybe come to a more 'public' meet (such as Tallowood) first to 'test the waters'.
3. Aware - be aware of who is attending meets.
4. Reliable - People unfortunately lie online, so never take what people say too seriously until you have meet them and had a 'gut feel' on them.
5. Tell - Tell us if you feel uncomfortable/unsafe, that way we can take steps to change that.

Afterall - I want MamaBake to be a fun, safe, enjoyable experience for everyone - we are here to support each other, but with the medium we are using to meeting just make sure you use commonsense and everything should be fine.