This form may be adapted to use with preteen or teenage participants in your program. You may wish to make the language less formal or the vocabulary less sophisticated, depending on the developmental stage of the young people in your programs. You might also wish to add or subtract components to the code. You may find you get more buy in” if the participants are part of the development process. If you use a “contract” such as this, you must be willing to enforce the consequences if the code is broken, or otherwise the “contract” has no meaning for the participants. Including youth and staff together in one code strengthens the notion that rules are part of life that both youth and adults have to follow.
[Name of Nonprofit] is a youth-serving, community-based organization dedicated to providing [description of mission or services]. Participation in the organization’s programs is subject to the observance of the organization’s rules and procedures. The activities outlined below are strictly prohibited. Any participant or staff member who violates this Code is subject to discipline, up to and including removal from the program.
I have read and I understand the [Name of Nonprofit]’s Code of Conduct. I agree to abide by the rules described above and understand that I may be removed as a participant if I violate any of these rules.