Code of Conduct
Hives Helping Heroes Code of Conduct
The Gold Coast Regional Beekeepers Inc. (GCRB), has established Hives Helping Heroes on the Gold Coast, with assistance from the Veterans Support Group Men’s Shed at Nerang. We are a not-for-profit organisation focusing on a healthy transition from service for our heroes and beekeeping.
Many of the heroes, veterans and emergency services personnel, find it difficult to cope with life following their experiences, and they often fall into depression, unhealthy relationships and addictive behaviours which can lead to feeling alone, isolated, mental illness and difficulty in coping.
Mission Statement
Hives Helping Heroes mission is to assist heroes in dealing with mental health issues and difficulty in coping, through building relationships for them in their local communities. This is achieved by connecting a hero to an experienced beekeeping mentor. The mentor will provide the hero with the opportunity to learn and be involved in beekeeping. In addition, the social connection and involvement with the therapeutic process of beekeeping can establish a sense of worth and accomplishment.
Code of Conduct
The Hives Helping Heroes Code of Conduct serves as an important resource to ensure our daily interactions are conducted with integrity and respect. The Code has been set up to convey the manner in which all involved in the programme conduct themselves to achieve personal and business goals.
It is the policy and practice of Hives Helping Heroes to maintain the highest ethical standards, and to create a culture free of inappropriate or unlawful behaviour and discrimination. All participants are encouraged to share their concerns about the programme without fear of retaliation.
Failure to comply with the Hives Helping Heroes Code of Conduct can result in removal from the programme.
Role of the Local Beekeeping Club
The programme will be coordinated by a HHH Champion, who is a dedicated member in each participating club with support from the club’s management committee. If required, The HHH champion and committee will oversee the programme, raise funds, promote the programme etc. The heart of the programme is each hero working with a mentor to learn the skills of beekeeping.
Heroes Roles and Expectations
A hero is a veteran or emergency worker in the Hives Helping Heroes programme that is interested in beekeeping. Each hero will be matched with a local area beekeeping mentor based on the application submitted to Hives Helping Heroes online. Upon finding a mentor in their area, Hives Helping Heroes will schedule a meeting with the hero and mentor so that there is a warm hand over.
For insurance purposes, heroes must join their local Beekeeping club. Where possible, the club will loan the use of a bee veil to the hero until they are in a position to buy their own beekeeping PPE. The hero and mentor will work together on a beehive, typically in the mentor’s apiary. The mentor will pass on beekeeping skills and knowledge, while the hero is expected to follow and listen to instructions, absorb information, and begin to get more involved in beekeeping.
Mentors Roles and Expectations
A mentor in the Hives Helping Heroes programme is a beekeeper with at least two or more years of successful beekeeping experience. Mentors are matched with a local Hero based on the application submitted to Hives for Heroes online. Upon finding a hero in the area, we will schedule a meeting with the mentor and hero.
We ask that all mentors continue with their beekeeping practices, the only difference being, that the mentor will have a Hero in attendance. When the mentor and hero believe the hero is ready to have their own hive, we have a donor who has donated most of the materials for the hero to build and paint their own hive.
Volunteer Roles and Expectations
A Volunteer in the Hives Helping Heroes program is anyone who is interested in supporting the mission of Hives Helping Heroes. All volunteers and other participants in Hives Helping Heroes, will act in the best interest of the programme, which includes acting honestly, respectfully and with integrity.
Dealing with External People and Organisations
When acting as a contact point on behalf of Hives Helping Heroes, participants will act in the best interest of the programme, which includes acting honestly, respectfully and with integrity. Hives Helping Heroes partnerships and relationships are to be in the best interest of the programme and not for self-advancement or promotion.
Marketing Materials
Hives Helping Heroes participants, will not create any of their own personal branding or marketing materials using the Hives Helping Heroes name, logo, or likeness, without permission from the GCRB management committee. This includes, but is not limited to, business cards, websites, promotional items, shirts, flyers, honey labels, etc.
Social Media Guidelines
While online and interacting with social media platforms, Hives Helping Heroes participants will be respectful of others. Participants who post photos, videos, and comments that could be viewed as obscene, threatening, intimidating, inappropriate, disparage participants or constitute harassment or bullying, will not be tolerated. Inappropriate postings including discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct may lead to a participant being removed from the programme.
Donations
All donations and gifts will be passed to the management committee of the local club for use by Hives Helping Heroes to benefit all participants in the programme.
For questions and support contact:
Gold Coast Area: Drew Maywald gcrb.secretary@beekeepers.asn.au
Ipswich Area: David Hutton david.hutton756@gmail.com