Empowering mentorship. Cultivating respect. Building inclusive leadership.
At Sayyonee, we are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and empowering environment where women, women of color, and nonbinary leaders can grow and thrive through mentorship. This Code of Conduct outlines the values and responsibilities of both mentors and mentees and sets clear expectations for participation in the Sayyonee Mentorship Program.
Core Values
We welcome all individuals regardless of gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, body size, sexual orientation, caste, socioeconomic status, or programming background. Every interaction in our community should reflect our core values:
- Respect: Treat every participant with dignity, empathy, and professionalism.
- Inclusivity: Embrace the diverse backgrounds and perspectives in our community.
- Confidentiality: Respect the privacy and trust between mentors and mentees.
- Constructive Communication: Provide feedback thoughtfully and accept it graciously.
- Integrity: Be honest, punctual, and reliable in all program-related commitments.
Expectations for All Participants
- Communicate Promptly: Respond to messages (Slack, email, or other agreed channels) within 5–7 days. Repeated no-responses may result in removal from the program.
- Keep Sessions Respectful and Confidential: Never share private discussions, personal information, or session content without consent.
- Stay Updated: Join the designated Slack #mentorship channel and check messages regularly.
- Attend Check-in Sessions: Participation in scheduled mentor/mentee catch-up sessions is crucial. If you can’t attend, inform the organizers with a valid reason.
- Cancel Responsibly: Appointments should be rescheduled or cancelled with at least 24 hours’ notice and a reason communicated via your agreed channel.
- Give and Receive Feedback: Use provided forms to submit constructive feedback to help improve the program experience.
- Avoid Promotion: Mentorship is for learning and connection, not self-promotion, advertising, or recruiting clients.
Additional Responsibilities
For Mentors:
- Be a source of guidance, support, and reflective listening.
- Help mentees define goals and offer constructive suggestions.
- Keep your mentorship profile and attendance updated as per instructions.
- Attend mentor feedback sessions and share insights for improvement.
For Mentees:
- Show up prepared and with realistic expectations.
- Respect the mentor’s time—avoid no-shows or late cancellations.
- Refrain from giving public negative feedback—use internal channels for concerns.
- Show appreciation—mentorship is a voluntary, generous contribution.
Unacceptable Behavior
The following actions are strictly prohibited:
- Harassment, threats, or violent language of any kind.
- Discriminatory language or jokes based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or similar.
- Personal attacks or derogatory remarks.
- Sharing personal information or session content without consent.
- Using mentorship access for sales, promotion, or hiring pitches.
Reporting and Enforcement
If you witness or experience inappropriate behavior, please report it via email or Slack directly to the Sayyonee Mentorship Team. All concerns will be reviewed with care and confidentiality.
Violations may result in:
- A formal warning
- Removal from the mentorship cycle
- Suspension from future programs and events
Together, We Thrive
By participating in Sayyonee’s mentorship program, you agree to uphold this Code of Conduct. Let’s build an uplifting, inclusive environment where every voice is valued and every leader is empowered.