Volunteer Code of Conduct and Ethos

1. Radical Inclusion:
• Explanation: We welcome individuals of all backgrounds and identities, especially those from marginalized communities, feels valued and included.
• Example: Hosting open community meetings where all voices are heard, and implementing anonymous feedback systems to include perspectives from all community members. Making everyone feel welcome and valid in all aspects of our events and programming.
2. Gifting:
• Explanation: Encourage sharing of time, knowledge, and resources selflessly to enrich our community without expecting anything in return. We encourage volunteers to share their skills, time, and resources generously, creating a culture of altruism and mutual respect.
• Example: Volunteers offering free workshops or skill-sharing sessions, providing learning opportunities to others without charging fees. Encouraging the community to create and offer their skills and talents to others freely, creating a system of sharing that we all benefit from.
3. Decommodification:
• Explanation: Strive to create environments less affected by commercial influence, focusing on human connections rather than transactions. We maintain an environment where community and artistic expressions are not influenced by commercial interests, focusing on the value of community.
• Example: Encouraging support from sponsors and donors as an act of love, not a quid pro quo. Encouraging support of small businesses and entities over large corporations. Ethical, thoughtful fundraising initiatives.
4. Radical Self-reliance:
• Explanation: Encourage personal responsibility and the exploration of individual capabilities, supporting each other's journey towards independence and self-discovery.
• Example: Providing resources and tools for community members and volunteers to initiate their own projects or solve problems creatively without immediate external intervention.
5. Radical Self-expression:
• Explanation: Support and celebrate each person’s unique contributions and expressions, within the respect of the community’s boundaries. We support and celebrate individuality and creativity, providing a safe space for all forms of personal expression, as long as they respect community welfare.
• Example: Facilitating an art show where community members can display their artworks, showcasing diverse forms of personal expression.
6. Communal Effort:
• Explanation: Collaborate and work collectively towards shared goals, recognizing that we achieve more together. We work together as a team, valuing each person’s contribution towards our shared goals, fostering a sense of unity and collective responsibility.
• Example: Organizing community events where everyone can build and create together, encouraging participation from every person in our community to contribute.
7. Civic Responsibility:
• Explanation: Act responsibly and ethically within our community and the broader society, respecting shared spaces and laws.
• Example: Coordinating with local authorities to ensure public events comply with city regulations, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
8. Leaving No Trace:
• Explanation: Commit to minimizing our environmental impact, ensuring we leave spaces better than we found them.
• Example: Implementing recycling and composting programs at events, and organizing participants to clean the venue thoroughly after use.
9. Participation:
• Explanation: Encourage active involvement and engagement in community activities, emphasizing that personal action leads to collective change.
• Example: Inviting community members to take part in decision-making processes or to volunteer for different roles within events and projects.
10. Immediacy:
• Explanation: Foster genuine connections and presence, valuing the here and now, and encouraging authentic interactions and experiences.
• Example: Creating phone-free zones at gatherings to encourage face-to-face interactions and immediate engagement with the experience.
11. Radical Empowerment:
• Explanation: Foster an environment where individuals are encouraged to explore their potential and participate actively within the community.
• Example: Establishing mentorship programs where experienced community members guide and empower newcomers, helping them to navigate and contribute to the community effectively.
12. Radical Consent:
• Explanation: Prioritize clear, enthusiastic, and ongoing consent in all interactions, establishing a culture of respect and boundary recognition.
• Example: Implementing consent workshops at events and providing clear guidelines on consent, ensuring all participants understand and respect personal boundaries and perpetuate this into the outside world.

The principles of Radical Inclusion, Gifting, Decommodification, and others have been transformative in various communities around the globe, fostering environments where collaboration, openness, and mutual respect flourish. In communities previously marred by exclusivity and tribalism, these principles have broken down barriers, encouraging a culture where every individual feels valued and part of a collective whole. By embracing Radical Inclusion, communities have moved away from cliquish behaviors, welcoming diverse perspectives and individuals. The practice of Gifting and Decommodification has shifted the focus from transactional relationships and personal gain to selflessness and community well-being. Moreover, Radical Self-expression and Radical Consent have empowered individuals to express themselves authentically while respecting others' boundaries, creating a safer, more vibrant community space.

In our local community, particularly one that has struggled with cliquishness and division, adopting these principles represents a beacon of change. We aim to cultivate an environment where everyone, regardless of their background or previous experiences, can find a sense of belonging and contribute to a collective vision. Through education, open dialogue, and shared experiences, we are committed to transforming our local community into a place characterized by understanding, respect, and unity. By integrating these principles into our daily interactions and community initiatives, we strive to dismantle old patterns of tribalism, fostering a new culture where everyone is empowered to participate fully and genuinely.

Over time, these values can cultivate a culture of openness, trust, and mutual support that extends beyond individual events or interactions, fundamentally reshaping social dynamics and relationships. As these principles become deeply ingrained, we anticipate a ripple effect: reduced social fragmentation, increased collaborative initiatives, and a stronger sense of collective identity and purpose. This transformation can lead to a community where individuals are not only more connected to each other but also more engaged with and invested in the well-being and success of the community as a whole.

In the long term, we envision a community where the fear of exclusion gives way to the confidence of belonging, where competition is replaced by cooperation, and where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated. This shift can result in more innovative solutions to communal challenges, a richer, more dynamic cultural landscape, and an increased capacity for collective action and resilience. By fostering an environment where every member feels empowered and valued, we lay the foundation for sustainable, positive change that can inspire neighboring communities. This is the lasting legacy we aim to create.. Thank you for being a part of this journey – your contributions make a world of difference.