Strategies for Developing Respect and Trust

At the Clubhouse the goal is to create an environment in which Members and Mentors feel safe enough, physically and emotionally, to ask questions, experiment, explore, innovate and take pride in their accomplishments. Everyone is treated with respect and trust – and everyone is expected to treat others in the same way. There is respect for people, ideas, tools, and the act of exploring, learning, and innovating.

Clubhouse structure comes in many forms. The selection of software, the arrangement of furniture, the actions of the Clubhouse Coordinator and Mentors, and the Code of Conduct help structure interactions at the Clubhouse, leading to a culture of respect and trust. As much as possible, the structure is invisible to the participants who enjoy a special feeling of freedom.

Structure & Clear Boundaries

The Code of Conduct - Members and Mentors sign an agreement to abide by the Code of Conduct. Network Clubhouses often modify or restate the Code to fit their own culture and circumstances.

Setting and Enforcing Policies - Set clear policies for printing and checking out valuable equipment. Use sign-up sheets to keep things clear. Ask Clubhouse Members to leave collateral such as keys, ID cards, or even a shoe, when checking out valuable items.

Time and Experience - Trust and respect develop over time, and as a result of experience. There is no substitute for positive experience. Apologies count for a lot when something goes wrong. Clubhouse Members pay close attention to how people are treated around them, and model their own behavior on these experiences.
High Quality Surroundings - The high quality of the Clubhouse space, nice equipment and furnishings all increase the feeling that Members are respected, trusted and valued. Be sure to maintain those high standards over time.

Balance - The Computer Clubhouse approach strikes a balance between structure and freedom. As Clubhouse youth work on projects, they feel freedom to pursue their own interests, yet feel safe because of the structures that are in place

Working with Youth as Colleagues

Feeling Safe Enough to take Risks. Everyone in the Clubhouse is treated as a colleague and active learner. The attitude is one of high expectations. When youth internalize that an adult respects their opinions and can be trusted, they rise far above most adults' expectations. They ask a lot of questions. They take chances and are willing to fail and then try again.

Everyone is a Learner - Everyone learns from everyone, everyone teaches everyone. There is an expectation of sharing knowledge.

Giving Genuine Feedback - Staff and Mentors do not simply dole out praise to improve the "self esteem" of the youth. Real feedback and real encouragement are given. Real-world questions are asked. Members are pushed to consider new possibilities and new solutions. What could you do next? What other ideas do you have?

Recognize Different Learning and Communication Styles - Take time to get to know the Members, their interests, and the way in which they feel most comfortable interacting. For some it may be through conversation, others through working on a project or showing you what they are doing.

Maximizing Choices - Clubhouses provide Members with a great deal of choice so they can find projects and activities that they really care about. Choice conveys respect for the thoughts of the individual. That everything in the Clubhouse is to be used by everyone conveys trust. Members choose when to come, when to leave, what to work on, whom to work with. And, they make the choices about what they want to learn, which is highly empowering.

Taking Responsibility - Each person has to learn to take responsibility for their interactions with people, ideas, tools, and equipment. This is learned as a result of the role-modeling of staff and Mentors, and the way other Members treat each other.