The Society's Commitment to
the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement and
the Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code
On January 17, 2006, the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities adopted the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement and the Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code. Please read the following summaries for an outline of what this commitment entails.
Volunteer Canada's Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement
Summary*
Volunteer Canada developed and launched the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement. as part of the resources developed for the International Year of Volunteers—2001. The Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement has three elements including: values, guiding principles and organization standards applicable to volunteer programs in non-profit and voluntary sector organizations. As an organization that has adopted this code, the Society commits to upholding the values, principles and standards in its volunteer programs.
The values statements focus on core values which are integral to volunteer programs. They highlight the important role volunteerism and volunteer involvement play in ensuring citizen involvement and engagement in society to the benefit of communities.
Values for Volunteer Involvement
Volunteer involvement is vital to a just and democratic society.
It fosters civic responsibility, participation and interaction.
Volunteer involvement strengthens communities.
It promotes change and development by identifying and responding to community needs.
Volunteer involvement mutually benefits both the volunteer and organization.
It increases the capacity of the organization to accomplish its goals, and provides volunteers with opportunities to develop and contribute.
Volunteer involvement is based on relationships.
Volunteers are expected to act with integrity and be respectful and responsive to others with whom they interact. |
In addition to the values statements, the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement contains two guiding principles. While these guiding principles supplement the values statements, they are important because they further articulate the reciprocal relationship which develops between the organization and the volunteers and act as guides for the organization standards.
Guiding Principles for Volunteer Involvement
Voluntary organizations recognize that volunteers are a vital human resource and will commit to the appropriate infrastructure to support volunteers.
The organization’s practices ensure effective volunteer involvement.
The organization commits to providing a safe and supportive environment for volunteers.
Volunteers make a commitment and are accountable to the organization.
Volunteers will act with respect for beneficiaries and community. |
The final element of the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement is a set of ten organization standards for the volunteer involvement program. These ten statements are the core standard practices which any voluntary sector or non-profit organization should have in place for an effective volunteer program.
Organization Standards for Volunteer Involvement
- The boards of directors and senior management acknowledge and support the vital role of volunteers in achieving the organization’s purpose or mission.
- Policies and procedures are adopted by the organization to provide a framework that defines and supports the involvement of volunteers.
- A qualified person is designated to be responsible for the volunteer program.
- A clearly communicated screening process is consistently applied.
- Volunteer assignments address the purpose of the organization and involve volunteers in meaningful ways —reflecting their various abilities, needs and backgrounds.
- Volunteer recruitment and selection reaches out to diverse sources of volunteers.
- Volunteers receive an orientation to the organization, its policies and procedures, and receive training for their volunteer assignments.
- Volunteers receive appropriate levels of supervision according to their task and are given regular opportunities to receive and give feedback.
- Volunteers are welcomed and treated as valuable and integral members of the organization’s human resources.
- The contributions of volunteers are regularly acknowledged with formal and informal recognition methods.
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*Content from this summary was drawn from the Volunteer Canada website and related Articles)
http://www.volunteer.ca/volunteer/pdf/ManagementAuditEng.pdf
http://www.volunteer.ca/volunteer/pdf/CodeEng.pdf
For additional information on this code, please visit the Volunteer Canada website: www.volunteer.ca
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Imagine Canada's Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code
This Code has been developed by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, in consultation with charity leaders throughout Canada for the purpose of assuring donors of the integrity and accountability of charities that solicit and receive their financial support.
Charities that adopt this Code commit to: upholding fundraising practices that respect donors’ rights to truthful information and to privacy, responsibly managing the funds that donors entrust to them and reporting their financial affairs accurately and completely.
Please click here to read a detailed description of Imagine Canada's Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code as posted on the Imagine Canada website www.imaginecanada.ca
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