Rules of Conduct

• Volunteer Opportunities
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• Volunteer Responsibilities

By accepting to volunteer with us, you have a responsibility to SAWERA and your fellow volunteers to adhere to certain guideline of conduct. SAWERA tries to keep rules to a minimum. The purpose of these standards of conduct is not to restrict your rights, but rather to be certain that you understand what conduct is expected and necessary as a volunteer of SAWERA. When each person is aware that he or she can fully depend upon fellow volunteers to follow the rules of conduct, then our organization will be a better place to volunteer for everyone.

Unacceptable Activities

Generally speaking, SAWERA expects that each person will act in a mature and responsible manner at all times. However to avoid possible confusion, some of the more obvious unacceptable activities are noted below. If you have any questions concerning any volunteer or safety guideline, or any of the unacceptable activities listed, please speak with the volunteer coordinator.

1. Willful violation of any agency rule; any deliberate action that is extreme in nature and is obviously detrimental to SAWERA.
2. Willful violation of security or safety guidelines or failure to observe safety guidelines
3. Show courtesy, cooperativeness, diligence, and tact in dealing with fellow volunteers, staff of SAWERA and the general public.
4. Safeguard all information of a confidential nature and refrain from disclosing any portion thereof, except in a manner and to the extent authorized.

Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is an important part of being a SAWERA volunteer. To achieve confidentiality, one agrees to:

1. Refrain from discussing information about women or others who are clients of SAWERA except with staff or trained volunteers or those directly involved with the specific cases.
2. Keep location, address, and telephone number of Safe Homes confidential.
3. Keep the names and phone numbers of all volunteers confidential.
4. Use code names in all correspondence over the telephone, email, in public places.

SAWERA will not disclose any information regarding any client to anyone who is not an active volunteer/staff member unless:

1. The client knows, approves and has signed a written release of information
2. The child abuse reporting policy applies, or
3. The person’s or others life is in danger, or
4. If legally obligated by the court

All volunteers and staff will sign statements in agreement with this policy.