FYP Code of Conduct

Purpose

This code is our promise to each other: as we grow individually, we grow stronger collectively. It outlines how we support each other's flourishing while building powerful youth advocacy.

The closer you are to FYP's core work, the more we expect you to embody these principles - not as a burden, but as a commitment to both your own growth and our collective impact. What starts as guidelines for followers becomes clear standards for associates, because your influence shapes our community's future.

Scope

This code guides everyone in the FYP family, with increasing levels of responsibility:

By joining FYP in any capacity, you're committing to nurture both individual and collective flourishing, with the understanding that your responsibilities grow as your involvement deepens.

Agency

Our power begins with self-love

I. We commit to radical self-love and self-actualization.

In Practice at FYP:

  • We prioritize our happiness over any work, because we can't help others to be happy if we can't make ourselves happy
  • Step back from fyp projects that drain rather than energize you
  • Leadership initiates supportive intervention if member's wellbeing appears compromised

Enforcement Level:

Research shows that individuals with higher levels of self-acceptance and self-actualization demonstrate greater resilience, lower rates of anxiety and depression, and increased capacity for social impact (Ryff & Singer, 2008; Maslow, 1971).

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Authenticity

Because being real is revolutionary

II. We commit to enriching work and meaningful engagement.

In Practice at FYP:

  • Build projects that excite you (e.g., mental health art initiatives, climate anxiety workshops)
  • Contribute to Wiki sections you're passionate about

Enforcement Level:

Engaging in purposeful work significantly increases life satisfaction and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety (Steger et al., 2012; Frankl, 1959).

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III. We commit to authentic self-exploration and expression.

In Practice at FYP:

  • We use FYP projects to discover what moves us - this space is for finding yourself
  • We bring our whole selves - interests, dreams, fears and all
  • We honor diverse ways of being and knowing

Enforcement Level:

Authentic self-expression and identity exploration during youth significantly improve mental health outcomes and foster psychological well-being (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

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IV. We commit to boundary-conscious collaboration and self-advocacy.

In Practice at FYP:

  • We set clear limits and honor others' boundaries. Always
  • We say "no" without guilt when work doesn't align
  • Protected right to decline what doesn't serve us or our community
  • One strike for failing to deliver on dependencies

Enforcement Level:

Strong personal boundaries and effective self-advocacy skills are fundamental to preventing burnout in youth advocates and maintaining long-term mental health (Cloud & Townsend, 2017).

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Compassion

Because kindness transforms everything

V. We commit to radical compassion.

In Practice at FYP:

  • We meet our struggles with kindness. No harsh self-judgment here
  • We use non-violent communication. Always
  • When we disagree, we listen first. Hard conversations need soft hearts
  • Use "I notice/I feel/I need" format in difficult conversations
  • Offer support when team members miss deadlines
  • Listen fully to opposing views in policy discussions
  • Practice trauma-informed communication in mental health advocacy

Enforcement Level:

Self-compassion is strongly correlated with reduced anxiety and depression while increasing resilience and capacity for social connection (Neff & Germer, 2017; MacBeth & Gumley, 2012).

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Openness

Because growth requires curiosity

VI. We commit to critical engagement.

In Practice at FYP:

  • Question everything - our work shapes youth futures
  • Provide honest feedback on FYP rules & projects effectiveness
  • Challenge assumptions in advocacy strategies
  • Evaluate impact metrics critically

Critical thinking reduces anxiety by increasing agency (Paul & Elder, 2020)

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VII. We commit to open knowledge sharing

In Practice at FYP:

  • Document event planning processes on Wiki
  • Share advocacy strategies that worked/failed
  • Create resources for future organizers
  • Write up community building lessons learned

Enforcement Level:

Open knowledge sharing multiplies community impact (hooks, 1994).

VIII. We commit to cultural humility and epistemological advocacy

In Practice at FYP:

  • Actively include diverse mental health perspectives in FYP projects
  • Adapt FYP Slay Index for different communities
  • Question Western-centric mental health frameworks
  • Center marginalized voices in policy discussions

Enforcement Level:

Culturally responsive approaches to mental health and well-being lead to significantly better outcomes across different communities, with research showing up to 40% higher engagement and effectiveness when interventions honor cultural perspectives (Sue & Sue, 2016).

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IX. We commit to collective accountability

In Practice at FYP:

  • When we see a fellow team member struggles, we speak up
  • We report serious violations. Safety requires courage
  • We hold standards higher as involvement deepens Required participation in peer review processes

Enforcement Level:

Joy

Joy is a form of resistance

X. We commit to revolutionary joy, play, and purpose

In Practice at FYP:

  • Have fun

Integrating play and joy into purpose-driven work significantly reduces burnout while increasing both personal well-being and movement sustainability (brown, 2019; Brown, S., 2009).

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Enforcement & Accountability

Accountability Framework

  1. Strike System

Three strikes within a calendar year trigger an intervention. Two additional strikes lead to a disciplinary hearing. Possible outcomes include:

  1. Peer Support System Any Associate can initiate a peer support intervention when they notice:
  1. Serious Violations Some actions bypass the strike system and require immediate review:

Enforcement by Role

FYP Associates & Operation Team

Must actively model all values

FYP Assistants

Community Members

General Participants

Types of Enforcement

[Strike System]

A structured, progressive system for addressing repeated violations.

Process:

  1. inital three strike: Documented warning & Intervention at third strike
  2. fourth and fifth strike: Disciplinary hearing

Reset: Strikes reset annually

[OM Supervision]

Direct oversight parenting by Current Operation Manager with escalation to Principal for serious concerns.

Process:

  1. OM provides regular check-ins and support
  2. OM documents concerns and growth areas
  3. OM can initiate intervention when needed
  4. Principal involvement for serious or unresolved issues

[FYP Family Peer Support]

Any Associate or Assistant can call for peer support intervention.

Process:

  1. Member raises concern to involved parties
  2. Facilitated conversation with neutral peer mediator
  3. Collaborative development of resolution plan
  4. Community support in implementing solutions

[Standard Committee]

For serious violations requiring formal review.

Process:

  1. Committee formed of 3 Associates and 1 Advisor
  2. Formal investigation and hearing process
  3. Binding decisions on serious matters
  4. Appeals possible through Principal

Enforcement Tags

In solidarity and with fierce hope for our collective liberation,
The Youth of ForYouPage.Org

Revision #53
Created 11 June 2023 21:19:56 by Marx
Updated 10 January 2025 04:29:11 by Admin