Empowered To Achieve

Student Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

Empowered To Achieve (ETA) students are ambassadors of service, leadership, and community impact. This Code of Conduct sets the standard for how students are expected to represent themselves, ETA, and their community while participating in programs, volunteer activities, fundraising, and scholarship opportunities.

2. Core Values

ETA students are expected to model:

  • Respect — for themselves, peers, parents, mentors, nonprofits, and the community.

  • Responsibility — showing up prepared, completing commitments, and taking ownership of their actions.

  • Integrity — being truthful, accountable, and honoring commitments.

  • Service — focusing on helping others, not just personal gain.

  • Excellence — striving for growth, learning, and professionalism in every opportunity.

3. Expectations of Conduct

Students must:

  • Treat all individuals with dignity and respect regardless of background, identity, or belief.

  • Follow instructions from ETA staff, mentors, and nonprofit supervisors during volunteer or fundraising activities.

  • Arrive on time and ready to participate in scheduled activities.

  • Communicate clearly with ETA staff if unable to attend or complete a commitment.

  • Protect the reputation of ETA by avoiding behavior that could reflect poorly on the program (including inappropriate online activity, bullying, or misconduct).

  • Maintain honesty in recording volunteer hours, fundraising, and program milestones. Falsifying records is strictly prohibited.

3.1 Off-Duty & Social Media Conduct

Students represent ETA both on and off the clock. The following rules apply to off-duty conduct and online activity when the student is identifiable as an ETA participant or when the conduct could reasonably be linked back to ETA:

  • Prohibited content/behavior includes (but is not limited to): sexualized content involving minors or others, sexually explicit imagery, threats or promotion of violence, hate speech or racist comments, bullying, illegal activity, harassment, or sharing private/confidential information about ETA participants or partners.

  • Do not use ETA’s name, logo, or brand in posts that contain prohibited content.

  • If a student’s off-duty or online conduct is found to harm ETA’s reputation, endanger others, or violate law or program rules, ETA may take disciplinary action regardless of whether the incident happened during ETA hours.

  • ETA will notify parents/guardians if a minor is involved in a serious allegation related to off-duty conduct.

3.2 Prohibited Conduct (Zero-Tolerance Areas)

Students must not:

  • Engage in bullying, harassment, or intimidation (in person or online).

  • Possess, use, or distribute alcohol, drugs, vaping devices, or controlled substances during ETA programs or while representing ETA.

  • Bring or display weapons, dangerous objects, or anything intended to cause harm at ETA events, partner sites, or online spaces.

  • Make threats of harm toward themselves, other students, ETA staff, nonprofit partners, or the community.

3.3 Duty to Report Safety Concerns

  • Students are expected to immediately report to ETA staff or a trusted adult if they see, hear, or become aware of:

    • Threats of violence or planned harm

    • Suicidal comments or self-harm behavior

    • Bullying, harassment, or intimidation

    • Possession of weapons, drugs, or dangerous items at ETA or partner events

  • Students must not record, share, or post violent or harmful incidents on social media. Sharing such content may result in disciplinary action.

  • ETA will respond to reports promptly, involve parents/guardians, and notify law enforcement or mental health resources if required for safety.

4. Accountability & Consequences

Violations of this Code may result in:

  • Verbal or written warnings

  • Temporary suspension from activities or portal access

  • Parent/guardian notification and required meeting

  • Loss of eligibility for scholarship credits or disbursement (partial or full forfeiture)

  • Permanent removal from ETA programs in severe cases

  • Referral to law enforcement when conduct appears to violate criminal law

Forfeiture & Review:

  • In cases of serious misconduct (e.g., sexual content, violent threats, hate speech, bullying, substance abuse, weapons, criminal charges), ETA may suspend a student’s participation and pause pending scholarship disbursement during review.

  • After review, ETA may determine that earned scholarship credits or disbursements are forfeited if the conduct is found to be a material breach of this Code and incompatible with ETA’s mission and values.

Appeal Process:

  • Students or parents may request an appeal in writing within 14 calendar days of receiving a sanction.

  • Appeals will be reviewed by an ETA review panel separate from the initial decision-maker.

  • The panel may uphold, modify, or overturn sanctions. Decisions will be final.

5. Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to:

  • Take ownership of their personal growth and goals.

  • Ask for help when needed and seek guidance from ETA staff or mentors.

  • Represent ETA proudly and positively in all interactions.

  • Respect program property, nonprofit spaces, and digital platforms.

6. ETA’s Commitment

In return, ETA commits to:

  • Providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

  • Offering students meaningful opportunities to serve, learn, and grow.

  • Treating all students fairly and respectfully in matters of discipline and accountability.

  • Recognizing and celebrating students’ achievements and milestones.

7. Agreement

By participating in ETA programs, students acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to follow this Code of Conduct.