These are the expectations for the in-person Gathering. You can view Gathering expectations for online events here.
FGC In-Person Gathering Expectations
The Gathering seeks to be a community of Friends living in the discipline of the Spirit. It is a rare opportunity for personal spiritual growth and sharing. We endeavor to balance the opportunity for individual seeking with the challenges of living together. We ask all Gathering participants to respond with respect and support to the best efforts of host site staff, Gathering staff and volunteers, and other registrants, and to comply with regulations and requests of the host institution.
An All-Age Event. The Gathering includes programs for adults, children, and teenagers. All attenders are asked to make the Gathering a safe and supportive community for children and elders alike. Parents and sponsors of all Junior Gathering participants are expected to be actively responsible for their children at all times when they are not in Junior Gathering sessions.
Quiet Time. Quiet time is expected to be respected in and around all dorms between the hours of 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
A community of respect, free from harassment. Friends General Conference, in keeping with Friends’ historical concerns for equality and justice, is committed to providing environments which are free of discrimination and harassment. FGC will not tolerate racist words or actions, sexual harassment or intimidation, and other harassment – whether overt or subtle – at the Gathering. Actions, including words, jokes, or comments, which demean groups or individuals will not be tolerated. This includes for example: ethnicity, race, age, gender, sexual identity, or orientation, faith and religious belief, or physical or cognitive abilities. Any Gathering attender who believes they may have witnessed or experienced discrimination or harassment is encouraged to seek support using the processes outlined in the Harassment and/or Racial Wounding policies distributed to all Friends at check-in. All allegations will be investigated thoroughly and fairly.
An event for registered attenders. The Gathering programs and facilities are restricted to registered attenders, except for use of the dining hall when cash sales are permitted by the host site. In no case is someone who has not registered for the Gathering permitted to stay overnight on campus.
Helmet safety for all ages. Friends of all ages are required to wear helmets when using wheeled vehicles (e.g., bicycles, skate boards, roller blades); pedestrians have the right of way and vehicle operators should be cautious in their presence. Use of these vehicles on access ramps, steps, and inside buildings is prohibited and may be further restricted by campus regulations. This policy does not apply to users of personal mobility devices (e.g., wheelchairs), golf carts, or registered motor vehicles.
Prohibited items. Alcohol, recreational marijuana, weapons, fireworks, and sparklers are not permitted. Use or possession of illegal drugs is prohibited. All host site buildings and facilities are smoke free.
Animals. The Gathering is not an appropriate event for pets; do not bring them. Service dogs trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability are permitted when arranged in advance. Emotional support animals cannot be considered to be service animals
COVID Policy. All Gathering attenders are required to abide by the provisions and restrictions found in the Friends General Conference Pandemic Health and Safety Policy. The policy in effect on the date when registration opens will be the policy in effect for the Gathering, unless changing conditions require us to be more restrictive.
FGC may ask any Friend unable to function within these guidelines to leave the Gathering.
Approved by LRCP 3/5/23