Potential standardized wording for this section, to offer multiple choice options about intentional community diversity, was discussed at length with a DEI consultant. The diversity section is write-in because different generations and different political groups often have specific language preferences. For example, the younger often embrace “queer” as an identity, while many older prefer the term LGBTQ+.
Here’s how we tried to make these issues searchable for those who value intentional community diversity.
The item “IC types I would live in or am forming” has the following options:
– Medical risk bubble
– Shelter for homeless
– Housing or shelter for a vulnerable group
This can be further refined in the search field for Service-based IC, with options for various types of disabilities and marginalized identities.
A keyword search in the Team Up page could be used to search for various accommodations offered or identities that are a focus for a forming intentional community. A keyword search (added with the paid upgrade as low as $10 for one-day access) in the members page would work similarly.
Our goal is to connect you with compatible people in your preferred regions. We’ve worked to find a balance between providing detailed options and avoiding an overwhelming list.
Regions with a higher level of interest have more specific listings, like individual states. As more members join from a particular region, we can subdivide it further to provide more focused matching.
To ensure consistency and avoid overlapping categories, we’ve assigned new, more specific locations to existing member profiles who previously selected a broader area. This allows us to keep the database organized and helps you find the most relevant matches possible.
Our goal is to keep you informed without flooding your inbox. We know that getting a notification for every single chat message can get annoying, especially when you’re in an active conversation.
To prevent this, we send notifications in two specific scenarios:
- First chat with a new person: You’ll get an email when you receive a message from a new contact. This ensures you don’t miss an important initial connection.
- Unread message check-in: If one or more of your messages remain unread for a week, you’ll get a follow-up email. This is a gentle reminder to check your account, without overwhelming you with a barrage of daily notifications.
This approach helps you stay connected to your matches while avoiding email fatigue.
There are two ways to start a direct message:
- From their profile: While logged in, open the user’s profile and locate the “send message” button, typically found to the right of their profile picture. Click this button to open a new chat.
- From the Chats tab: Go to the “Chats” section. Above your existing conversations, you should see an oval search field. Type into this field the display name of the person you want to message. Their image and name should then appear below the search field, allowing you to select it and begin a new chat.
If you or the other member changes a response to a matching question, this prompts the backend to look for matches. If your prior responses and new responses both were a match, then you’ll have matched up twice. This function could be helpful if someone you previously didn’t match becomes a new match when one of you changes your responses.
Although the profile thumbnail of the other person will remain visible, chat messages will disappear after 6 months. Please copy and save those that are important to you. It’s necessary for us to limit the data load in our system.
With the fremium model, where you only pay for extras and the main services are free, we are making a bet that if we provide a quality service that people need and want, we will eventually get the member numbers to a point where even a small percentage of members subscribing will cover expenses. In the ethos of the sharing economy, we feel it’s important to buck the trend of monetizing everything. ICmatch is not built to be sold and shifted into a profit-maker. Read more in our mission statement.
ICmatch doesn’t want to police the chats, but we do want all members to feel respected. We request the following:
- Please do not write to others to give them feedback or criticism about their profile answers unless they ask for your comments. Do not offer unsolicited feedback even if you feel your critique is important. Do not offer unsolicited feedback even if you intend to state it kindly. Do not offer criticisms in the form of questions, for example, “Why would you believe it is appropriate to…?”
- If you find a chat comment irritating or immature, we ask that instead of seeing it as a teachable moment, you simply disengage.
- If you feel a comment shows a clear intent to insult or offend, do provide ICmatch helpdesk a screenshot of the comment, including your statement that the commenter was responding to. If members report hostile or goading comments or questions in the chats or profile responses, and show evidence, this will result in a warning. Second or third offenses may cause membership to be paused or revoked.
- There is no obligation to respond to any questions in chats, unless you are a group coordinator and others inquire about joining. We’ve tried to make it easy to politely block unwanted chats. Use the pre-fab responses button, found above the chat box when a chat message is open. See the FAQ “What do the pre-fab responses say?”
Not only do we insist on ICmatch being a place where communication is respectful, we help you find the right words. If you’re reading a chat message, at the top right there’s a button labeled “pre-fab responses.” Here are the messages that are sent from the three options:
- Invitation to check back later: I don’t currently have the capacity to look over your profile and respond promptly. If I don’t get back to you within a month, feel free to check back if you’re still interested in chatting.
- Polite decline: I’ve taken a look at your profile and I don’t see that we have enough compatibility in the areas that are most important for me for right now. I’ll contact you if that changes. Good luck in your search.
- Polite decline and block: I’m convinced that we don’t have a level of compatibility that would work for me. I won’t be responding further. Good luck in your search.
