This post is the latest in a series of articles aimed at re-hashing the ActiveRain Community Guidelines. With so many new real estate professionals joining the fold, it's a good idea to review these guidelines regularly, and to ensure that there is a clear understanding on what the expectations are for members who participate in this great network.

The next guideline is pretty straight forward, and reads as follows:

"There is zero tolerance for predatory behavior, stalking, threats, harassment, invading privacy, or the revealing of other members' personal information. Anyone caught doing these things may be permanently banned from ActiveRain."

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we're blessed with an abundance of all things green - varieties of pines, cedars, and native ferns. Washington is known as the 'Evergreen' State. Our climate and physical geography provide an environment that is conducive to and promotes such rich growth.

One of the keys to the successful growth of ActiveRain has been providing a safe and encouraging environment for our members. Many of the people who join ActiveRain have never had a blog or written a post. Jumping in and getting your blogging feet wet can be a fairly daunting endeavor for most. Fortunately, we have a very substantial core of veteran members who consistently make a point of providing helpful advice and encouragement to newer members. It's this constant cycle of 'Paying it Forward' that makes ActiveRain such an enjoyable and valued experience for its members.

Every once in a great while though, a bad apple comes along who attempts to threaten or diminish that experience. Our members need to know that ActiveRain Management takes such matters very seriously, and will act swiftly/decisively towards anyone who would jeopardize/violate the safety or privacy of one of our members.

If any of our members ever feels threatened or victimized, contact any of the ActiveRain Staff immediately. Bob Stewart, Brad Andersohn, and myself all have our cell phone numbers published on our profile pages. You can also contact us through the ActiveRain E-mail System, or by submitting a 'Contact ActiveRain' form, located at the bottom right of your screen.

We want to thank all of you who make it a point to reach out and help our newer members find their way around in the Rain. You are the ones who prove daily that "the true value of our network community rests within its members!"