📱HOW TO JOIN the Raincity Athletics WhatsApp Community!

We are excited to launch our new Raincity WhatsApp Community! This space is designed purely for what the name implies: community and chat. It's a place to coordinate weekend hikes, geek out over video games, organize event teams, and connect with your fellow athletes outside the gym walls.

To keep this space safe, fun, and organized for everyone, please review the rules and guidelines below before diving in.

1. Active Membership Requirement

This community is exclusively for active Raincity members. To participate, you must have an active monthly membership or consistently attend a minimum of one class per month on a punch card. If you cancel your membership, we politely request that you remove yourself from the WhatsApp community. We will also conduct a monthly roster clean-up to ensure the group remains active and current.

2. Setting Your Profile Name

WhatsApp often displays only phone numbers for people who are not saved in your contacts. So we all know who we are talking to, please ensure your WhatsApp profile name includes your actual first and last name.

  • Go to your WhatsApp Settings.

  • Tap your profile photo or current name at the very top.

  • Tap your name to edit it to your full first and last name.

3. The Golden Rule: Our Community Code of Conduct

First and foremost, our digital spaces are an extension of our gym floor. These standards apply everywhere our community interacts: in classes, events, travel, social media, and digital spaces connected to Raincity. By joining this WhatsApp community, you agree to abide by the Raincity Community Code of Conduct at all times. Harassment, bullying, and discrimination of any kind are not tolerated.

RAINCITY COMMUNITY CODE OF CONDUCT
RAINCITY COMMUNITY CODE OF CONDUCT

4. WhatsApp Etiquette & Strict Messaging Rules

To ensure everyone feels respected and safe, we have strict boundaries regarding communication:

  • No Unsolicited DMs: Do not direct message (DM) members without their prior permission.

  • Respect the Silence: Multiple messages without a response is unacceptable. Patterns of inappropriate or intrusive social contact, like repeated attempts to create unwanted intimacy or closeness, are prohibited. Ignoring requests to stop one-on-one communication is a direct violation of our Code of Conduct.

  • Respect Our Coaches: Absolutely NO messaging coaches privately regarding membership, billing, programming, or work-related matters.

  • Use Official Channels for Business: All membership requests, billing questions, or official gym matters must be handled through our official channels (emailing info@raincityathletics.ca or using official Slack channels).

  • Slack is Still for Operations: We will continue to use Slack for official tracking and facility usage. For example, Sauna usage tracking and Unattended Facility Access verification will strictly remain in their dedicated Slack channels.

5. Understanding Our Chat Groups

We’ve organized the community into different types of groups so you can tailor your experience:

  • Open Interest Groups (Emoji Label): These chats are open for anyone to join based on your interests! They will always start with an emoji label (e.g., ⛰️ Outside, 🤓 Gamers, 🐶🐢 Dog/Pet Parents).

  • Event-Based Chats (🗓️ Label): Made for major upcoming community events (e.g., 🗓️ 2026 Raincity OPEN). These are open to anyone who wants to stay up to date, whether you are attending or just cheering. These groups will usually be archived and closed ~30 days after the event concludes.

  • Class-Time Specific Groups (Approval Required): Want to chat with your regular 6AM crew? Some chat groups require permission to join. When you request to join, a coach or Community Manager will simply verify that you regularly attend that class time before approving.

  • Athlete-Created Groups: Athletes are totally welcome to create their own groups within the community! Just ensure they abide by the Code of Conduct.

6. WhatsApp Communities 101 (How to Use This Space)

New to WhatsApp Communities? Here is a quick guide to getting started:

  • The Announcement Group: When you join, you will automatically be added to the main "Announcements" group. Only Admins can post here, ensuring you get the most important gym updates without spam.

  • Finding Groups to Join: Click on the "Community" tab (the icon with multiple people) to see the full list of available groups you can join.

  • Mute is Your Friend: Don't want your phone buzzing all day? You can mute specific groups! Just tap the group name at the top of the chat, scroll down, and select "Mute notifications."

  • Leaving a Group: You can leave a specific sub-group at any time without leaving the whole Raincity Community.

7. Reporting & Follow-Up

If you experience or witness behavior that violates this Code, please report it. We take all reports seriously, and retaliation for reporting is never tolerated.

  • Primary Contact: Simon Damborg (he/him) – Owner | thor@raincityathletics.ca

  • Alternate Contacts: Katie Nadorozny (she/her) OR Keith O’Conor (he/they) (Contact information can be found via the community code of conduct)

  • Anonymous Reporting: Anonymous reports can be submitted at www.rncty.ca/feedback (password is the same as the members wifi posted in the gym)