Welcome to CS refugees - Server downtime on Saturday
Written by wind 4 years agoBeWelcome extends a warm welcome to all those from Couchsurfing who have either recently joined, or have re-activated their profile here. Covid is severely restricting travel and hospitality exchange at the moment, but we hope that you will have many successful hospex experiences through this site, once travel safely resumes.
Many aspects of BW are similar to CS. We call references 'comments', but their purpose is the same, and it is just as important to complete your profile. Other things may exist here, but in a different form than on CS, so please check the FAQs or ask in the 'Questions by new members' thread in the Couchsurfing group.
The main difference is in the way BW is organised and run. BW is run by a voluntary association, and its sole purpose, by statute, is "to develop, maintain and promote the practice of hospitality and cultural exchange". There are no shareholders or investors. There are also no paid employees. Everything is done by volunteers, including site support and development.
So, we know that we are far from perfect, but we are trying. :-) And we need everyone's help to improve. Please get involved in the local groups, or set up new groups where these don't exist. (Please check using the group search.) And please volunteer. Volunteers with IT support and development skills are particularly needed, but there is also work for non-technical volunteers. (Check the 'Volunteering' button at the top of the page.)
Due to the increase in new members, we are rolling out some bug fixes and updates at an accelerated pace. Please be aware that the website will be down between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m. (CET) on Saturday May 23rd.
Be welcome!
Johannes - wind,
on behalf of the Board of Directors of BeVolunteer