Lighthouse uses a structured membership system to ensure a safe, consistent, and well-managed community experience across all platforms (website, Discord, and Minecraft).

This policy outlines how users gain access to the community, how membership levels work, and what is required to participate fully in Lighthouse.

Purpose

The membership system exists to:

• Maintain a safe environment for all members, especially minors
• Ensure accountability across all platforms
• Provide a clear path for becoming a trusted member of the community
• Recognize members who contribute positively and consistently

Access to Lighthouse community spaces is not automatic and is granted based on this structured process.

Website Account Requirement

A Lighthouse website account is required for full participation in the community.

Users must have an approved website account in order to:

• Be promoted to Traveler
• Gain full access to the Discord server
• Be added to the Minecraft whitelist

This ensures that Lighthouse can manage identity, permissions, and safety consistently across all platforms.

Membership Levels

Lighthouse membership progresses through the following levels:

Stowaway

Stowaway is a temporary onboarding stage for users who have agreed to the community Rules and are awaiting staff review.

To become a Stowaway, a user must:

• Register for a website account
• Agree to the community Rules

Stowaways are granted limited access while awaiting approval:

• Access to the #foyer channel in Discord to interact with the community
• Limited access to the website
• No access to the Minecraft server

This stage allows users to begin engaging with the community while staff completes their review. Active participation during this stage may help expedite approval.

Traveler

Traveler is the first level of full community access.

To become a Traveler, a user must:

• Be reviewed and approved by staff

Upon approval, users are automatically promoted to Traveler and granted access to:

• The Lighthouse Discord server
• The Minecraft server
• Full website functionality

Travelers may have minor restrictions in certain areas, but these are generally not disruptive to normal participation.

Resident

Resident is a full member in good standing within the community.

Promotion to Resident is based on:

• Consistent positive participation
• Respect for community rules and values
• Demonstrated trustworthiness over time

Residents receive full access to community spaces and are considered established members of Lighthouse.

Citizen

Citizen is a recognition level for members who go above and beyond in the community.

Citizens are members who:

• Consistently represent Lighthouse well
• Contribute positively to the community culture
• Demonstrate maturity, leadership, and reliability

This level is not a part of the normal player experience on Lighthouse and is only granted at the discretion of staff.

Citizen status reflects trust and recognition, not authority.

Platform Access & Identity

Lighthouse manages access across platforms through the website.

• Discord and Minecraft access are tied to a user’s website account
• Account linking (Discord and Minecraft) is required for full participation
• Permissions and roles are managed centrally through the website

Users who do not complete account setup or linking may have limited or no access to certain community features.

Loss or Restriction of Access

Access to Lighthouse community spaces may be restricted or removed if:

• A user violates community policies and is placed in the Brig
• A user’s account is incomplete or no longer meets requirements
• A parent restricts access or certain features to children accounts they manage

Access decisions are made by staff in accordance with Lighthouse policies.

Guiding Principle

Lighthouse is a community built on trust.

Access is not just about joining — it is about participating in a way that builds trust with others and contributes to a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.