A Playbook for Enforcing Your Community Code of Conduct

Your Code of Conduct is a promise to your members. It describes the kind of safe, productive, and welcoming space you intend to maintain. But a promise without a process is just a marketing slogan, and it will be seen as such.

When a member violates that code, what happens next? If the answer is 'it depends' or 'a staff member figures it out', you don’t have a process. You have a liability. This is the playbook for building a real process.

Policy is Not Process: Why a CoC Isn't Enough

A Code of Conduct (CoC) is a policy document. It states your values. It defines behavioural boundaries. It is the 'what'.

An enforcement playbook is a process document. It details the steps taken when the policy is breached. It is the 'how'. Without the 'how', your 'what' is meaningless.