The most essential resource of any charity is its people. Volunteers play a particularly important part in executing the work of GOCAL.
Our staff supports volunteers in carrying out their duties and always, in terms of their conduct, serve as an example of how everyone in this organization should conduct themselves in order to reflect the values of GOCAL.
The purpose of the Code of Conduct for Volunteers is to set out standards of behavior expected from volunteers of GOCAL. All volunteers should ensure that they have read and comply with this Code of Conduct.
Volunteers should maintain the highest standards of behavior in the performance of their duties by:
- Fulfilling their role as outlined in the volunteer role description.
- Performing their volunteer role to the best of their ability in a safe, efficient and competent way
- Following the charity’s policies and procedures as well as any instructions or directions reasonably given to them
- Acting honestly, responsibly and with integrity
- Treating others with fairness, equality, dignity and respect
- Raising concerns about possible wrongdoing witnessed by the volunteer in the course of the volunteer’s role
- Meeting time and task commitments and providing sufficient notice when they will not be available so that alternative arrangements can be made.
- Communicating respectfully and honestly at all times
- Observing safety procedures, including any obligations concerning the safety, health and welfare of other people in line with training provided to volunteers.
- Reporting any health and safety concerns
- Directing any questions regarding GOCAL’s policies, procedures, support or supervision to the volunteer’s supervisor
- Addressing any issues or difficulties about any aspect of their role
- Declaring any interests that may conflict with their role or the work of the GOCAL
- Keeping confidential matters confidential
- Exercising caution and care with any documents, material or devices, containing confidential information and at the end of their involvement with GOCAL returning any such documents, material in their possession
- Maintaining an appropriate standard of dress and personal hygiene
Volunteers are expected NOT to:
- Bring GOCAL or the event into disrepute - including through the use of email, social media and other internet sites, engaging with media etc.
- Seek or accept any gifts, rewards, benefits or hospitality in the course of their role.
- Engage in any activity that may cause physical or mental harm or distress to another person (such as verbal abuse, physical abuse, assault, bullying, or discrimination or harassment on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or race
- Provide a false or misleading statement, declaration, document, record or claim in respect of GOCAL, its volunteers or employees.
- Engage in any activity that may damage property.
- Take unauthorized possession of property that does not belong to them.
- Engage in illegal activity while carrying out their role.
- Improperly disclose, during or after their involvement with GOCAL ends, confidential information gained in the course of their role with GOCAL.
Where a volunteer is found to be in breach of the standards outlined in this Code of Conduct or any of GOCAL’s other policies and procedures this may result in the volunteer’s position being terminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, volunteers should note that GOCAL may terminate a volunteer’s position without cause.
Volunteers acknowledge that no employment relationship is created in the context of their role with GOCAL.