Code of Conduct

Volunteer Code of Conduct

The Rose Haven Code of Conduct is a statement of rules and guidelines designed to promote ethical and professional service delivery within our organization. This code is vital to our mission that affirms the dignity and rights of all people who come to us for assistance. We conduct ourselves at all times in a way that respects people and recognizes their worth. In striving to fulfill our mission, we choose the course of highest integrity and ethical conduct.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Guest Confidentiality concerns the legal right of clients to be protected from unauthorized or illegal disclosure of their information.

• Information concerning the well-being or safety of Rose Haven guest should only be shared with a Rose Haven team member.

• All information concerning this community shall be treated as confidential. 

• Information shared within the agency shall be limited to those who need this information for the services and/or safety of the guest.

• Volunteers will respect the guest’s right to privacy, and observe all agency policies with regard to confidentiality.

MAINTAINING BOUNDARIES

Volunteers are expected to uphold key boundaries to protect themselves, our guests, and Rose Haven as an agency. These boundaries are meant to ensure that relationships between social workers and clients remain professional, even when working on very personal and difficult issues.

• Volunteers will maintain professional boundaries with guests. Some of our guests have not had the opportunity to develop safe boundaries for themselves. Responsibility for appropriate boundaries lies with staff and volunteers.

• Volunteers will avoid dual relationships (i.e. professional and personal) with guests, and will not foster a relationship that is social, parental, romantic, sexual, or otherwise unprofessional in nature. This includes sharing personal contact information, adding on social media, or sharing personal issues, problems, history, or feelings with guests. Volunteers will not accept gifts from guests.

• Volunteers will respect professional boundaries regarding physical contact or hugging guests. Never touch a guest without their consent.

• If a volunteer comes into contact with a guest outside of Rose Haven, the volunteer will take the cue from the guest as to if the guest would like to interact or not.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Volunteers must conduct themselves in a professional manner, upholding the values of honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability, confidentiality and respect.

• Volunteers must treat all guests fairly and equal. This includes not doing any personal favors for a guest. All services must go through the proper guidelines & procedures.

• When a volunteer is unclear as to an appropriate response to a need, they will seek advice from an experienced volunteer or staff member.

• All services at Rose Haven are free. Volunteers do not seek or accept any gifts, including food, or any monetary compensation from guests.

• Volunteers will dress in appropriate casual attire.

• Volunteers will not use drugs or alcohol at Rose Haven.

Community Agreement

The Community Agreement is a contract upheld by all Rose Haven guests, staff, and volunteers. Each person must sign before joining the Rose Haven community. Although some of the guidelines may only apply to guests, we all sign it to demonstrate an understanding of the values upheld within our agency and community.

Rose Haven is a community of peace, healing, support, storytelling, wellness, and transitions. In order to create a safe space, Rose Haven observes the following community guidelines and expectations.

I will:

• respect myself and others in all my behaviors

• use non-violent language, actions and treat each person with dignity and respect

• respect others’ belongings and personal space

• recognize not all women are assigned female at birth

• maintain privacy by not talking to others about the people I meet at Rose Haven

• help keep Rose Haven clean by picking up after myself

• maintain safety by not engaging in drug/alcohol activity, or having drug/alcohol paraphernalia or weapons

• respect staff requests and not remain on the property off-hours or spaces when I am asked to leave

• not camp on the property at any time

• be responsible for those I bring to Rose Haven (children, pets, companions)

I will seek a staff/volunteer person:

• if I am having a conflict with someone

• when I wish to talk about the difficult aspects of my life story

REGARDING CONFLICTS:

Our way of dealing with conflict is to ask everyone involved to step outside. This request does not mean we are blaming anyone. It is simply a method of taking the disruptive energy outside. 

I agree:

• to step away when I am asked

• to not start or participate in any conflict

• to notify a staff person if I need  help

• to only bring people to Rose Haven who are eligible for services

I understand that:

• if I violate the community agreement, progressive consequences will apply, which may result in temporary or permanent exclusion from all Rose Haven services

• If I am asked to leave, I will speak with a staff member before returning

• I am only able to get services for myself and my children

Next Section: Values