Strikes

Overview

The Secret Society operates on a foundation of trust and accountability. Venues trust that participants will show up. The platform trusts that users will complete their deliverables. Other users trust that accepted spots are being held by committed attendees. The Strike system exists to enforce this accountability and ensure the ecosystem remains reliable for everyone. This article explains how Strikes work, what triggers them, and what you can do to protect your account.

What a Strike Is

A Strike is a formal penalty applied to your account when you fail to meet a key responsibility on the platform. It is the platform's way of recording a significant breach of participation standards.

Strikes are not warnings. Each Strike has immediate consequences for your account. They accumulate over time, and reaching a threshold of 3 Strikes results in permanent account deactivation.

The Strike system is not designed to be harsh without reason. It exists because the platform's integrity depends on users following through on their commitments. When someone does not show up, does not cancel in time, or does not complete their deliverables, other people — users, venues, and the platform itself — are directly affected.

What Actions Trigger a Strike

There are several specific actions — or failures to act — that will result in a Strike being applied:

1. Late Cancellation

Cancelling your booking less than 4 hours before the event triggers a Strike. At this point, there is insufficient time for the platform to find a replacement, and the venue and other potential attendees are negatively impacted.

2. No-Show

Failing to attend an event without cancelling (or cancelling after the event has already started) is a no-show. This is treated as one of the most serious violations because it completely wastes a spot that another user could have occupied.

A no-show triggers a Strike and results in immediate temporary account deactivation.

3. Incomplete Deliverables

If you attend an event but fail to submit your deliverables within the 24-hour deadline, a Strike is applied.

4. Uncorrected Rejected Deliverables

If your deliverables are submitted but rejected by the QC team, and you do not correct and resubmit within the 12-hour correction window, a Strike is applied.

What Happens When You Receive a Strike

Each time a Strike is applied to your account, the following consequences take effect:

Account deactivation for 6 days — During this period, your account is restricted. You cannot participate normally in the platform, accept invitations, or attend events.

Impact on your reliability score — Your standing on the platform is affected. A lower reliability score reduces your chances of being selected for future invitations.

Increased scrutiny on future participation — Users with a Strike history may be viewed less favourably during the invitation selection process, even after the deactivation period ends.

The Difference in Severity Between Violations

Not all violations are treated exactly the same way. Understanding the distinctions helps you understand the level of seriousness the platform assigns to each situation:

Each of these violations has the same immediate consequence — a Strike and 6-day deactivation — but the no-show is treated with particular seriousness because it represents a complete failure of both attendance and responsibility.

What Happens After 3 Strikes

If you accumulate 3 Strikes, your account is permanently deactivated. This means you lose access to the platform entirely with no pathway to reinstatement.

Permanent deactivation is a serious outcome, but it is the product of a pattern of behaviour — not a single mistake. The platform gives users multiple opportunities to course-correct, and the 6-day deactivation period after each strike is designed to prompt reflection and changed behaviour.

Reaching 3 Strikes is entirely avoidable for users who:

• Only accept events they are genuinely committed to
• Cancel promptly and responsibly when plans change
• Take deliverables seriously and complete them on time
• Respond to rejection notifications immediately

How to Protect Your Account

The Strike system is straightforward to navigate as long as you approach the platform with the seriousness it is designed for. Here are the key principles:

Only accept invitations you can genuinely follow through on. If there is any doubt about your availability, do not accept. The platform rewards reliability, not enthusiasm.

Cancel early if plans change. The 4-hour cancellation window is generous. Use it. The moment you know you cannot attend, cancel — do not wait and hope things work out.

Take deliverables as seriously as attendance. Attending the event is only half of your commitment. Completing your deliverables on time is equally important and carries the same level of consequences if missed.

Check your "To Deliver" section after every event. Make it a habit to open the section immediately after attending and begin working on your submissions while the experience is still fresh.

Respond to rejection notifications immediately. A rejection is not a penalty — it is an opportunity to fix the issue. The 12-hour correction window is short, and treating it as urgent is essential.

Maintain a consistent track record. The best protection against strikes is a clean history. Users who are reliable over time build a profile that the platform values, which translates into better opportunities.

Why the Strike System Matters for Everyone

The Strike system is not just about penalizing individual users. It exists to protect the experience for all stakeholders:

For venues — Venues plan their events around expected guest counts. Reliable attendance means venues continue to partner with the platform and offer experiences.

For other users — When someone holds a spot and does not show up, another user who wanted that spot loses the opportunity. The Strike system discourages this behaviour.

For the platform — The Secret Society's reputation with venues depends on delivering engaged, committed participants. A system that enforces accountability is what makes this possible.

When you take your commitments seriously, you are not just protecting your own account — you are contributing to a platform that works for everyone.

Summary

Strikes are formal penalties applied when you fail to meet key responsibilities: late cancellation, no-show, missed deliverables, or uncorrected rejected deliverables. Each Strike results in a 6-day account deactivation. Accumulating 3 Strikes leads to permanent deactivation. Protect your account by only accepting events you can commit to, cancelling responsibly within the 4-hour window, completing deliverables on time, and responding immediately to QC rejection notifications. The Strike system exists to uphold the reliability and quality that makes the platform valuable for users, venues, and the platform alike.

Updated on: 01/05/2026