For all others: It’s fun seeing the community growing up. Hope to see you soon somewhere in this world ;o).

Though what are the ‘engineers’ belodged.com-twitter using for? They simply complain about the new ‘community ambassador’… ;o)

Well, it might happen that you recently stumbled upon a dude named “Community Ambassador” . This guy’s mission is to take care about you and the entire belodged.com community. His ‘job’ is to answer your questions, to give feedback, to solve problems and to give advice to new and “active” members whatever they might bring up…

What you cannot see: He works like hell! He takes all the notes he get from YOU and bothers the programming team, the translators, the designers and everybody else involved in the further development of the belodged.com project / idea. As a result the team from belodged.com become more and more busy in order to get this never-ending load of work properly done.

So what exactly is the idea behind this ‘Community Ambassador’?

It is just as simple: Taking care about YOU!

This Community Ambassador is going to be your broker / mediator / spokesperson or however you name it. Contact him in the discussion boards on belodged.com no matter what you need to know/ think or miss. In order to turn belodged.com even more hassle-free he is going to undertake everything to find the best solution for all parties involved.

But, who actually is this ‘ambassador’?

For the time being it is just 1 person, Hannes Ulrich is his name, 36 years of age, called “Ambassador” by the belodged.com community.

He is fluent in English and German and already got an account in Facebook.

Apparently he lives in an happy relationship (sorry, dating is currently not wanted ;o( ).

Of course, he travels a lot. Nevertheless he promised to take all of his time available to fulfill the community’s needs.

What does he expect from you?

1. A warm welcome – just send him a hug
2. Questions, questions, questions…
3. Answers, answers, answers – and feedback from you
4. nothing more and nothing less

What can you expect from him?

1. Answers to your questions within a day (on weekends it may take longer , he is this type of party animal). (And please also keep the time zones in mind)…
2. Open-minded answers and discussions…
3. And always bear in mind: he is on your side, always ;o) ! Obviously he is unable to neither do any website programming, nor web design, nor is he a bank, nor is he responsible for peace and freedom in the world. But he will hardly try to do everything related to the idea behind belodged.com and give all support needed by the community. And if there is something he cannot solve he will discuss it with the belodged.com team and give you feedback – asap.
4. nothing more and nothing less

This safes you more or less 2-5 clicks and page loads. So this is becoming more comfortable to you.

Big thanks to the David which gave this input to our new “Community Ambassador” via Facebook. But please note: The first discussion and feedback platform is as always the discussion board within belodged.com .

We will write an extra article about this strange ;@) person “Community Ambassador” soon. But you can meet him already here:

• belodged.com Team
• belodged.com discussion boards
• Facebook Account of Hannes

By the way: next time you wanna join Glastonbury or ‘Glasto’ (or any other big event in the world), do not miss to rather use free lodging instead of paying expensive for tipi rents!

For those throwing a major event like this: be welcome to introduce and promote your event on belodged.com! Our members are curious to find out about it, especially as free peer to peer accommodation comes along…

(Link to the website of Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts)

PS: Guess who goes after me on shot #12? Yep, Neil Young!… and on pix 31? Yep again, the Boss alias Bruce Springsteen!…and on #24? you got it, it is Tom Jones, the ever rocking tiger ).

… wow – or should we rather say ‘my god’ – are we perhaps witnessing a revolution in Iran?

Although most of the demonstrating people (many of them are students and teachers) seem to be – like belodged.com members – modern, wired, vibrant and eager to engage with the outside world and for more social freedom, we recommend not to travel to Iran at the moment.

So, dear members (and all travelers and tourists), listen carefully: feel free to give any emotional support to all people involved in this ongoing political conflict, but please wait and observe the current dramatic changes from the safe distance as long as we believe that ‘strikes, riots, and civil commotions’ are most likely !

Country -  City

Rank 1: Buenos Aires in Argentina
Rank 2: Vilnius in Lithuania
Rank 3: Moscow in Russia
Rank 4: Riga in Latvia
Rank 5: Zurich in Switzerland
Rank 6: Hamburg in Germany
Rank 7: London in United Kingdom
Rank 8: Mexico City in Mexico
Rank 9: St. Petersburg in Russia
Rank 10: Berlin in Germany
Rank 11: Jakarta in Indonesia
Rank 12: Istanbul in Turkey

As you can see the belodged.com community is quite well balanced over the majority of 136 countries (please note the calendar date of this post). The reason why Germany is relatively over-represented in this list is the fact that many members from the former globiwalk.com website wished to be transfered to the newer belodged.com portal. Little Switzerland on Rank 6 is quite surprising, ok, but it is less if you consider the circumstance of having the core development team living in the heart of Europe for the time being… ;o)

Rank 1 – 17.3% :  Germany
Rank 2 – 5.2%:     United States
Rank 3 – 4.1%:     Spain
Rank 4 – 3.4%:     India
Rank 5 – 3.4%:     Russia
Rank 6 – 3.2%:     Switzerland
Rank 7 – 3.1%:     France
Rank 8 – 2.9%:     Argentina
Rank 9 – 2.7%:     China
Rank 10-2.7%:     Mexico

All in all belodged.com ‘globalizes’ more and more…
So invite others to join the international free lodging community!

Hosting international people can be an enjoyable and exciting experience for all involved. We hope that the following questions and answers will be helpful to hosts (actually at belodged.com all members play two roles at once: both host and guest! There is no ‘being invited as a guest’ without ‘welcome and accommodate visitors’ ) who take part in this free lodging project. Beneath you can also see the guest guidelines to get another perspective on this experience.

The overall aim is to behave well and thus to enjoy and have fun together )

Orientation guideline for HOSTS:

1. Do I have to entertain the visitor or plan special activities?
   While arranging special activities can be fun for everyone, the host might prefer to relax and get some extra rest. Visitors often feel the same way. Traveling can be exhaustive and after being on the road for quite some time, guests could find the opportunity to relax in a pleasant atmosphere a welcome treat.
   
2. Am I expected to pay the costs of any activity to which I take a guest?
   You are not expected to pay for the entertainment of any guest. However, it is only fair to give the guest an idea of how much money he or she will need over the stay, especially if it is a somewhat substantial amount. For example, if you are planning a ski or city trip, the guest would certainly have to know that in advance and be made aware of the expenses. On the other hand, the overnight accommodation as well as the use of the shower room or drinking water the guest should obviously not pay for.
3. Will my guest be compatible with me and my circle of friends/social environment?
   Visiting members and prospective hosts should both exchange information and accommodation requests via the internal e-mail messaging service that is provided by belodged.com to facilitate the communication with each other. The e-mail service will not provide each other with information about common interests etc. This is self-imposed and up to everyone’s choice and way of communicating. Only the user’s profile contain information about pets, allergies, and/or any special circumstances…
   
4. Is it most favorable to host two guests at the same time, or always just one?
   The answer of this question depends on the individual guest and – of course – you. Some young people are able to make themselves comfortable wherever they might be and don’t need the recognition of having a friend along. Others might feel more comfortable when they are with another buddy/guest who speaks their native language. However, if your goal is to integrate the guest into your social environment and to share customs and language, then perhaps one guest is better for you.
5. What do I do if my guest simply wants to stay exclusively on its own?
   Again, this might be exactly what that guest possibly needs to do to chill out – staying in his or her room and read or sleep. Remember, being away from home and having little privacy can be exhausting. It is best to offer the guest the opportunity to participate in any activities and then leave the decision up to him or her.
6. What do I do if a guest falls ill or needs to go to the hospital?
   Should there be a need for hospitalization, the host is kindly requested to furnish the guest with the name and phone number of a close hospital. In the case of hospitalization, family and/or a friend of the guest should be notified. However, for less serious illness, it is expected that you will care for the guest in the same manner that you would care for your own friends and family.
7. Do I have to have a separate bedroom for the guest?
   No, it is fine for same-sex members to room together. Again, this topic is always to be resolved between the host and guest and as far as possible pre-decided.
8. Is it important for me to know anything in particular about the culture of my guests?
   Of course, it is always smart to understand a little bit about a person’s background, but it is not necessary. If you are interested in your guest’s culture, she/he will be more than willing to show and explain that to you.
   
9. May I treat my guest as a member of the family/flat-sharing community and expect him or her to do the same things I expect of my own house-mates?
   We recommend all guests to take the initiative to offer to help with everyday tasks such as clearing the table or making the bed etc.; however, if they do not, it is perfectly acceptable to ask them for assistance. The goal of this free lodging program is not to create more work for the hosts, but to provide a safe, comfortable and open-minded environment for any international visitors while they are away from home. In general, nothing makes a person feel more a part of a foreign culture than to be able to participate in daily life.
10. Are there any legal issues or obligations when housing a guest?
    Your legal responsibilities are no greater than any other time you might bring a friend home to stay for the night. However, it is expected that all hosts will ensure a “safe house” which is a promise not to seduce any guest to conspicuous tobacco, alcohol or drug consumption (the listing is obviously not complete!).
11. Will my guest be able to communicate with me in English if I am not familiar with his or her native language?
    Foreign-born guests have different language abilities. Some guests come to stay with a very good command of the English language, while others may be shy about using their English. Every guest should be, at the very least, fluent enough to go on a journey… If you are worried about hosting a guest with very limited ability to speak either English or your native language, it is best to say so on your information exchange during accommodation approach process. However, we believe that most hosts and guests find a way to communicate. A friendly smile and a caring gesture go a long way in making guests feel welcome and relaxed. Also, guests are encouraged to speak as much English as possible when in a host home.
    
12. Is there anything else I should know about hosting a guest with limited language ability?
    Yes, trying to speak in a language other than your native language can be exhausting, so be patient with your guest and don’t be offended if he or she does not try to keep up a constant conversation. Also, some guests are embarrassed by their limited ability, so letting them see that you are pleased with their efforts. Encourage your guest to use this time with you to improve her/his English.
13. To be continued by YOU…

Orientation guideline for GUESTS:

1. Do I have to participate in everything that my host does?
   If your host has special plans for your stay, you will be probably made aware of them before you accept her/his invitation. Some hosts enjoy staying home and resting, while others prefer to go on short trips or sight-seeing tours. You won’t be expected to stay with any host whose plans would create a financial misery for you. However, if you agree to stay with a host, you are expected to integrate yourself into host’s life to some extent. It is always expected that your visit should not create additional work for your host, so please be polite and make your bed, clean up your dishes, keep your room tidy. Just leave the place as you found it.
2. If I am a vegetarian, allergic to cats or afraid of dogs, will my host know?
   Yes, provided that you inform your host beforehand. Or would you visit a host’s home where your health or safety would be compromised? No, you would not!
3. What if I am not fluent in English yet? Am I expected to speak English during my visit?
   As you exchanged information before your host will be certainly aware of your language abilities and will not be expecting perfection. However, try to speak as much English as possible during your visit. This is a great opportunity to improve your skills. Above all your host is certainly more than willing to help you…
4. Do I get to choose my host?
   If you are invited by a friend to stay with a belodged.com host, we certainly would encourage you to do so. However, if you are in need of housing during traveling, but have not received an invitation by a belodged.com member, all you have to do is to log in the portal and do your best to look for a compatible host. The more complete and accurate your profile presentation is, the better your host will know you and your needs.
5. What if I don’t get along with my host?
   Again: try your best to find compatible matches between guest and host, but of course there is a possibility that personalities might clash. Since these visits/stays are of relatively short duration, it is expected that both the host and guest will try to make the best of any situation. Remember, however, that belodged.com hosts volunteer to take in visitors, so they will do their best to make you feel at home.
6. May I take my good fellow along with me on my stay?
   This decision lies in the hands of the host. Better to ask and inform your host before surprising upon arrival! Some hosts might prefer two visitors at a time, while others are comfortable only hosting one guest.
7. To be also continued by YOU!

Well, so “fair” so good!

Please remember that the belodged.com core team is always happy to get further input, suggestions and encouragement and is always willing to answer questions regarding this worldwide free accommodation service provided by belodged.com!

After all, be nice and caring to each other and behave yourselves properly!

And dear visiting guests: make a little effort and may bring a small gift to your hosts… You never know, it could be the beginning of a long-lasting friendship!

Related articles on this topic:

Safety – Checklist for hosts and guests
Hospitality portals: Safety for using accommodation
Security checklist – for HOSTS only!
Security checklist – for GUESTS only!

]]> http://myblog.belodged.com/2009/05/16/rules-of-practice-for-a-joint-hassle-free-hospitality-between-belodgedcom-members/feed/ 0 McAlm (CH) all_generations_80x80 belodged_in_Sand House_In_Sand_with_Palmtree appt_keys_on_france_map http://myblog.belodged.com/2009/05/10/hospitality-portals-safety-for-using-accommodation/ http://myblog.belodged.com/2009/05/10/hospitality-portals-safety-for-using-accommodation/#comments Sun, 10 May 2009 17:54:03 +0000 McAlm (CH) http://myblog.belodged.com/?p=226 ]]> Daniel Hofer, the co-founder of CS made the point in front of a small audience at the Berkman Center (April 2009): “You can not be for sure. If anyone says: Can you guarantee that couchsurfing is safe? I say no – absolutely not! There is no guarantee at all.”

First of all let us clearly emphasize: belodged.com as a community portal is as safe in technical and privacy security matters as it can be in terms of what the core team is capable to do in programming and financial issues. On the other hand, the idea of ‘free peer to peer lodging’ – as practiced by CS or belodged.com -  is some sort of ‘life style  traveling’ that only can be safe if everybody take care for himself !

What does ‘safety’ actually mean?

In many people minds’ belodged.com would be at 100% safe if the portal guarantees the identity of a member by validating his name, gender, address, date of birth, social reliability and so on. This idea requires some sort of real life face 2 face validation, whenever and where-ever… To speak frankly, a dream would come true, indeed, but it is only a dream and not manageable out in this world at all.  As in any other portal in the world wide web belodged.com doesn’t want their members to go such a hard and rocky way…

What about “ebay stars”?

Correct – something like a rating or feedback system should be in place. So it is already: we only call it guest-book (check out  >> Member Navigation >> Your Profile >> Guest-book).  We promise to bring up this ‘feature of trust’ in our next news(letter) and other communication media to make members using it more frequently.

But let’s come back to the subject ‘ebay stars’… Did you hear about the big trouble ebay has with its “star-system”? We call it “feedback farms”. You create i.e. 10 user accounts for yourself with the objective of rating yourself via these accounts… is this fair?
But yes …. we are still “brainstorming” about that subject. Any suggestion or discussion is always helpful. Just post it here – it does not hurt. belodged.com members are pleased to use the discussion forums (more convenient discussion functionality) on the portal. Thanks a lot for your understanding!

What about “personal references”?

One member can mark another member as “reliable” by knowing this person personally, face 2 face, in real life. This can only be done by members already marked 3 times themselves. Sounds great – doesn’t it? Only it has to take-off somehow, that’s why the belodged.com core team would start  to mark several members as trustworthy. As a result a sort of pyramid system would emerge…

So how about people who are not living in big cities? They will never get marked when they do not meet already marked members in real life. They will never have the chance to take part in this ‘pyramid of trust’. Furthermore: in theory this “pyramid” system implies that the belodged.com core team would guarantees for each single marked person’s  reliability (also in 1000th level). And – if only one person is marks another one without knowing  – all further levels would be rather unconfident and the system would be cannibalized by itself. Such we would affect a system of pseudo safety which is not given…

What about credit card verification?

First of all what kind of information does a credit card showing to us? A name – nothing more. No address, no gender, no age (it looks like the “member” is at a “legal” age). But do we know, if the holder of a credit card is at the same time the ‘owner’ of the credit card? Not really!

Second: Who has a credit card? It’s not only a question of financial wealth or culture. For example in the Netherlands only a very small number of people have credit cards. Or how about students – in many countries it’s hard to open a bank account or getting a credit card without any regular income.

Third: If you still think that makes sense: Only 5.6% of all CS users are so called “verified” by help of their credit cards.

Postal verfification?

You tell us your name and address. After that you can not change your address anymore. We send you a code via snail mail. You have to enter this code on the website.

This seems to be the most promising solution (except age and gender). The technical process can be set up within a 2-4 period. But if we grow like we do right know the expenses for this process would be too expensive. As long we have no sponsor for these costs we would be obliged to charge each single member. And we would end up in a an enormous credit card verification task…

And very important: What does an address verification telling us? Only that this address is existing! And this only in a very small time frame. Some time later the letter box is maybe gone – but the member would be still verified and using the ‘free lodging’ services by belodged.com without any obstacles…

Other financial based verification solutions?

We know – especially country based – that there are many other solutions and tools around to validate an online user. Whereas the main reason for such systems is not to validate the identity from “USER” to “WEBSITE” (for Shops, Tools, Games etc.) but to make financial transactions (except of online Banking). If the money is coming in – ok – we send the book. For buying a book online the identity is not THAT important for the safety of your live. But here we talk about the identity from “USER” to “USER”.

What about privacy?

Last but not least we do not want to be portal number XYZ where you have to host your identity data. Maybe you are up-to-date concerning all risks and discussions currently flying around. The goal is to provide a fast and simple way to get in touch with each other for a better way of traveling… We do not want to be Facebook Number XYZ.

Summary

For sure – all these processes mentioned above can make it harder to fraud the system or your personal trust. But on the other hand – if we employ them – you will believe you are ‘safer’! At the end – you take less care of yourself. The person who really is willing to fool you has a much higher chance to be “successful”.

With this situation – we are not still sure – if we should offer one of the tools – or not. We are waiting for your input. If the community wishes to have such features in place – you will get them!

There is help around!

On the other hand we will provide you with more and more check lists for your safety. Just follow the guidelines. But hey – its still an adventure, a fascinating way of getting in touch, making the world smaller, getting to know other cultures, fullfilling another goal of the so called “globalization”.

Pending and coming soon this month: Safety checklist for all, Safety checklist for the guest, Safety checklist for the host,  How to request an accommodation? How to be a good guest? How to be a great host?

Feel free to comment this article. And members of belodged.com – take part in the disussion on belodged.com

belodged.com on its part is sure that giving a little support to visiting students and young professionals from around the world by using our private peer to peer lodging service to facilitate free accommodation is of great importance and benefit for both the visitors and the fair.

To get a brief introduction of avanti!…

avanti! is one of the largest fairs in the region of Berlin and Brandenburg regarding the topics of learning and working abroad. Each year more than 80 exhibitors come to the Berlin City Hall to present their programmes and services. This includes au-pair agencies and language schools, globally operating job agencies, international universities and development aid organisations. More than 40 lectures, seminars and presentations will be given by experts during the two avanti-days.
avanti! covers the entire range of opportunities for a stay abroad.

On the avanti webportal you are able to find everything you need to know about the fair.

ENTRANCE FREE

avanti!2009 Focus Scandinavia

Venue:
Berliner Rathaus (Berlin City Hall)
Thursday, 18 th June 2009
Friday, 19 th June 2009
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Organiser:
Europäisches Informationszentrum, Voßstr. 22 , 10117 Berlin, Germany
www.eu-infozentrum-berlin.de

Project Management:
Ms. Juliane Schmeling
phone +49 (0)30.88 412 204
juliane.schmeling@eu-infozentrum-berlin.de

public transport: S+U Bahnhof Alexanderplatz

PATRONAGE:
- Ján Figel’, Member of the European Commission, responsible for Education, Training, Culture and Youth
- Prof. Dr. E. Jürgen Zöllner, Berlin Senator for Education, Science and Research

CULTURAL AMBASSADOR:
“Go for it!“

On the ground of our music, we get around and travel a lot. Especially the oversea gigs are of particular interest. Thanks to our diverse knowledge of foreign languages, it is possible to dive deeply into the particular culture and to come in contact with locals. Foreign language competence is an important requirement to discover another culture – some of us had worked for some time in different countries. Jump at the chance and participate at avanti! Go and provide yourself with your prospects to stay abroad!

Seeed.

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