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FYP Code of Conduct

Purpose

We, the youth of ForYouPage.Org, know that real change happens when we can be fiercely ourselves while supporting each other. This Code of Conduct is our commitment to creating spaces where every one of us can flourish - where our individual well-being fuels our collective power, and our collective strength supports our personal growth.

This isn't just a set of rules. It's our promise to each other about how we'll work together, support each other, and create change together. It outlines clear standards and enforcement mechanisms that grow stricter the closer you are to FYP's core - because the more influence you have in our community, the greater your responsibility to model and maintain our values.

Scope

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

  • FYP Associates & Operation Team: Highest standards for self-love and authentic leadership
  • FYP Assistants & Event Organizers: Strong commitment to values and community support
  • Community Members & Partners: Basic standards for respectful participation
  • General Followers: Guidelines for engaging with our spaces

The code applies across all FYP spaces - from team meetings to community events, digital interactions to public representation. 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:

  • FYP associates and assistants must prioritize well-being over any work
  • Required tohoose work that furthers personal dreams and growth
  • Leadership initiates supportive intervention if member's wellbeing appears compromised

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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II. We commit to resilience growth.

We view challenges as opportunities, supporting each other to learn and bounce back stronger.

In Practice:

  • document and share learnings from mistakes/challenges

Developing resilience and a growth mindset significantly improves mental health outcomes and increases likelihood of achieving both personal and social change goals (Dweck, 2006; Duckworth, 2016).

Read More:

  • "Growth Mindset" by Carol Dweck
  • "Grit" by Angela Duckworth

Authenticity

Because being real is revolutionary

IV. We commit to enriching work and meaningful engagement.

We choose to mindfully devote our time and energy to work that genuinely enriches our lives and our communities, fearlessly saying no to what drains us to protect our capacity for meaningful impact.

In Practice:

  • Only take on tasks that align with genuine interests and capacity, rather than accepting them due to external pressures or a sense of obligation

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

Read More:

  • "The Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris
  • "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl

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

We strive fiercely to explore, discover, and express our genuine selves, creating spaces where youth can freely find themselves and be themselves.

In Practice:

  • Use personal interests and passions to guide FYP involvement

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

Read More:

  • "True to Ourselves" by Cameron Anderson
  • "Authenticity" by Stephen Joseph

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

In Practice:

  • Required to develop and maintain clear personal boundaries in all FYP interactions
  • Must communicate boundaries proactively and decline misaligned commitments
  • Enforcement: Protected right to say "no" without penalty to tasks that cross personal boundaries

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

VII. We commit to radical compassion.

In Practice:

  • Radical Self-Compassion: approach personal limitations with understanding rather than criticism
  • Radical Compassion for Others: Mandatory use of non-violent and non-emotionally abusive communication

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

IX. We commit to critical engagement.

We pledge to examine everything we do as a community with rigorous honesty and careful consideration, recognizing that our actions today shape the future of youth advocacy.

In Practice: All are invited to challenge and examine rules and work of FYP at all time

Developing critical thinking skills significantly improves youth mental health outcomes by enhancing decision-making capacity and reducing cognitive distortions associated with anxiety and depression (Paul & Elder, 2020).

Read More:

  • "Critical Theory and Social Justice" by Iris Marion Young
  • "Teaching Critical Thinking" by bell hooks

VI. We commit to open knowledge sharing

In Practice: Documentation of processes and learnings on FYP Wiki

X. We commit to cultural humility and epistemological advocacy

We actively embrace diverse cultural perspectives on well-being and mental health, striving to build systems that honor and uplift different ways of knowing and healing.

In Practice:

  • Must practice inclusive language and behaviors
  • Discrimination results in immediate review

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).

Read More:

  • "Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain" by Zaretta Hammond
  • "How To Be An Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi

We commit to collective accountability

We hold ourselves and each other responsible for maintaining our values and standards.

In Practice: Required participation in peer review processes Report serious violations to leadership

Joy

Joy is a form of resistance

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

In Practice:

  • 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).

Read More:

  • "Pleasure Activism" by adrienne maree brown
  • "Play" by Stuart Brown

Enforcement & Accountability

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

  • [Strike] - Subject to strike system
  • [OM] - Under Operation Manager supervision
  • [Peer] - Peer intervention appropriate
  • [Standard] - May require Standard Committee review

Serious Violations

Certain actions may require immediate Standard Committee review:

  • Harassment or discrimination
  • Intentional harm to community
  • Breach of core values
  • Violation of trust

These cases bypass standard progressive enforcement and move directly to Ethics Committee review.

These commitments serve not as mere guidelines but as our collective pledge to each other and to the movement we are building. Together, we demonstrate that authenticity, agency, and compassion are not just ideals but practical tools for transformation.

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

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