HOSPEX member form

RULES (just common courtesy and common sense):

• ALWAYS contact potential hosts in advance (e-mail works best). Never appear at some one's door unannounced.
• Discuss any shared costs in advance. This is a responsibility that both the host and guest share. If you expect to receive payment for something state it on the application. If you see it on the application, discuss it with the host before your arrival. and if you are hosting and expect payment for something, tell your guest prior to their arrival.
• Be sure to discuss and agree on dates of arrival and departure.
• If you want something different than is on the host form, discuss it in advance.
• Be clear and concise in all communication. Remember that English is a foreign language to many people on this list. Don't use colloquial phrases or idioms as these can be misunderstood by some people. And try to be sure that you and your host/guest have communicated what you really meant to say.
• To have access to the database you MUST be willing to serve as a host.

PROCEDURE FOR BECOMING A MEMBER:

• Agree to the spirit and rules of HOSPEX
• Fill out the form. Be clear and concise and make your requirements known. For example, if you do not want guests smoking in your home, put it on your form. Be open and honest!
• Wait a few days to be added to the database (part of this is a manual process) and to the HOSPEX-L discussion list. Please note that current backlog is about a month (June 1997), so be patient.

HOW DO YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM?

First, sit and think for a minute, "what do I want other HOSPEX users to know about me?" What would potential guests like to know about me? Try to fill out the form with as much detail as possible. (Remember to include the area code with your phone number.) If you are not able to provide accommodations, give a shortly explanation why and suggest some other services you might offer HOSPEX visitors instead. When filling in the language field, do not forget to name your mother tongue. Also, state the level of proficiency for all the languages you list in this field (e.g., fluent, elementary, etc.). When filling the 'SHARED EXPENSES' field remember that this is not supposed to be a rent and that the service is free. Usually you use this field to state what do you expect your guest to pay for (e.g. food, phone ...). Field 'EXPECTATIONS' is provided to explain what do you expect your guest to do and not to do when staying with you.

Do not forget to describe yourself. Who are you? What are your hobbies? REMEMBER: The information you provide about yourself creates an image of you in the minds of other HOSPEX members querying the database.