Our Policies

Eligibility

Participants must be 21 years or older. We meet at bars and discuss mature topics. Meetup.com does not allow minors on their platform.

Code of Conduct

1. Keep discussions respectful, spoiler-free, and Safe for Work.
   Please be thoughtful and patient when you speak and act.
   • Give everyone a chance to participate. Respect everyone’s identity, pronouns, boundaries, and lived experiences.
   • Use spoiler tags liberally! When in doubt, cloak plot points and character development, especially for titles released in the last 6 months. Use vague content warnings like Violence, Consent, Drug Use. We do not consider production facts spoilers.
      
2. Arrive on-time, presentable, and ready to chat!
   Respect your fellow members by updating your RSVP as your plans change.
   • We kick anyone that No-Shows when there’s a Waitlist, or No-Shows three times.
   • Last-Minute Cancellations within 12-hours of a Waitlisted event is a No-Show.
   • Late Arrivals (15 minutes after start time) are moved to the end of the Waitlist.
   • Unexpected guests will be asked to leave.
      
3. Imbibe responsibly and lawfully when using alcohol or cannabis.
   Confirm with your host that these substances are allowed at each event. DO NOT arrive intoxicated, pressure others, disrespect personal boundaries, engage in unsafe activity, commute unsafely, or violate laws regarding controlled substances.
    
4. Avoid disruptive or unsafe activities.
   We ban ads, solicitations, political endorsements, illegal downloads, divisive comments, trolling, and promotion of unsafe or unlawful behavior. We are critical of AI-generated material, and may remove this content at our discretion.
    
5. Report any form of harassment or hate.
   We have zero-tolerance for abuse or harassment. Actions motivated by hatred, prejudice, or intolerance and behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning environment are forbidden.
   
   Harassment includes: remarks that reinforce exclusion based on gender, gender identity and expression, body size, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, and religion. It also covers sexual imagery, innuendo, stalking, recording without consent, inappropriate contact, and unwelcome attention. Hate includes language, symbols, and memes that promote bigotry, fascism, and defense thereof.

Reporting Something

Please contact us immediately if you are uncomfortable, concerned, or have witnessed any policy violation that makes you or others feel less excited about participating in our community. There are four ways to contact us.

1. Use @Team to flag us in your public Discord message
2. Speak with any teammate, online or in-person
3. Type /report in Discord to silently escalate a concern
4. Click “Contact the Organizer” on Meetup.com

If we missed the mark, or there are ways we can improve, please let us know privately.

Privacy and Solicitation

AnimeChicago does not sell, trade, or share information we collect from participants with third-parties. We do not officially endorse products based on solicitation requests, and sponsorship agreements will be disclosed during the promotion of said sponsors. Member information will remain confidential unless otherwise required by law, overriding public health and safety concerns, or authorized by the member in question.

Website Terms and Conditions

We grant visitors permission to use this website (AnimeChicago.com) and you agree to the terms of use below by visiting this website.

Copyright and Use License
Materials displayed in this website are the property of AnimeChicago and others. AnimeChicago material is protected by copyright and trademark law where applicable.

• You may:
  • quote materials for Fair Use, with proper attribution and credit
  • request use of materials for other purposes
• You may NOT:
  • modify or copy the materials
  • use the materials for any commercial purpose
  • use the materials for any public display (commercial or noncommercial)
  • remove any copyright or other proprietary notations from the materials
  • transfer the materials to another person or “mirror” the materials on any other server

Limitations of Warranties and Disclaimer
We provide information “as is” without any kind of warranty. AnimeChicago assumes no liability for any direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, the website and any of its contents.

Revisions and Errata
Materials on the website may include technical, typographical, or photographic errors. We may alter materials at any time without notice, do not make any commitment to update materials, and do not guarantee materials are accurate, complete, or current.

External Links
We don’t review sites linked to our website and aren’t responsible for the contents of any such linked site. Links to other websites do not imply endorsement or guarantees about the operators, information, products, or services of those websites. Use external links at your own risk.

Liability

By participating in any activity or event, you agree not to hold AnimeChicago liable in the event of injury or damage to any person or property as the result of an organization-sponsored meeting or activity. Damages are the sole financial responsibility of the negligent party.

Governing Law

Any claim relating to AnimeChicago shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to its conflict of law provisions.