Expectations of CM Volunteers

We are grateful that you have chosen to work with Crisis Ministry! We consider our volunteers to be partners in ministry and so we also share certain responsibilities and expectations. As volunteers, staff and interns, we strive to insure that our clients are being served in the most efficient manner possible. It is important to be aware that a client may view you as a person with power and authority over their circumstances, affecting whether or not they receive assistance. Many clients willingly divulge personal and delicate details of their lives, so it is important to keep this in mind when interacting with them. Consequently, we offer these following policies so that an abuse of power does not take place. Code of Conduct When volunteering at the Crisis Ministry, there is an expectation to conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner. As a volunteer, you may be the only person that the client will remember when visiting the Crisis Ministry. Our core values consist of a warm and welcoming environment, and our behavior and actions speak louder than words. So, it is in this spirit that we want to reflect our agencys values of service, integrity, justice, dignity and self-worth of our clients. In order to emulate a place of hospitality, we expect our volunteers to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects love and kindness. We believe in placing our central focus on the importance of human relationships. Remember that your conversations and behavior reflect a ministry that God has provided to serve those already most vulnerable in this world. Sexual Harassment Policy The Crisis Ministry is committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, the program maintains a strict policy prohibiting unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment. It is important for all volunteers to understand that jokes, stories, cartoons, nicknames, and comments about appearance may be offensive to others. Sexual harassment of volunteers, as well as employees, supervisors or vendors is prohibited. Unlawful sexual harassment includes unwelcome flirting, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. Volunteers who believe they are being harassed in any way, should report the facts of the incident(s) to the store manager or other staff member without fear of reprisal. In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes unlawful harassment, the totality of the circumstances, such as the nature of the conduct and the context in which the alleged incident occurred, will be investigated. Confidentiality Statement Volunteers should respect confidential information shared by clients and other volunteers in the course of their work at the Crisis Ministry. Volunteers authorized to use the computers, will have a one-on-one training with their direct program area director/staff as part of our volunteer training procedure. This training will re-emphasize the volunteers obligation to respect confidentiality and any exceptions related to it. Should the confidentiality of any client be breached, we will immediately investigate. Violation of these policies may result in asking the volunteer to leave without returning.

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