Citizen Code of Conduct: Overview & Usage
Guide to the Citizen Code of Conduct, a community-focused alternative to the Contributor Covenant with emphasis on expected behavior and community building.
Detailed Explanation
Citizen Code of Conduct
The Citizen Code of Conduct is an alternative to the Contributor Covenant that places greater emphasis on community building and positive behaviors. Originally created by the Stumptown Syndicate, it focuses on what it means to be a good community citizen.
Philosophy
While the Contributor Covenant focuses on listing protected characteristics, the Citizen Code of Conduct takes a broader philosophical approach. It acknowledges that communities are mixtures of professionals and volunteers and that diversity, while a strength, can lead to communication challenges.
Key Differences from Contributor Covenant
| Aspect | Citizen CoC | Contributor Covenant |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Community citizenship | Protected characteristics |
| Tone | Aspirational | Prescriptive |
| Positive behaviors | Welcoming language, empathy, constructive criticism | Empathy, respectful disagreement, accepting feedback |
| Enforcement | Flexible | Four-tier system |
| Length | Shorter | More detailed |
When to Choose Citizen CoC
The Citizen Code of Conduct works well for:
- Smaller communities that prefer a less formal tone
- Meetup groups and local tech communities
- Projects that want to emphasize positive culture over enforcement
- Organizations that value community-building language
Customization
The Citizen CoC is designed to be a starting point. You should customize the specific behaviors, community spaces, and enforcement procedures to match your community's needs. The generator lets you modify every section while keeping the overall structure.
Use Case
Communities that want an approachable, community-focused code of conduct that emphasizes positive participation over enforcement procedures, such as local tech meetups or collaborative projects.