Habitat’s commitment to ethics & safeguarding
Details of Habitat for Humanity International’s commitment to safeguarding can be found in Habitat’s safeguarding policy, or you can view Habitat’s safeguarding orientation video in English or with Spanish subtitles to learn more about what safeguarding is, how to recognize safeguarding violations and how to report them.
Becoming a Habitat volunteer comes with great rewards and responsibilities. Volunteers are representatives of Habitat for Humanity and our mission. When you accept a volunteer role with Habitat for Humanity, you are committing to act in a way that promotes Habitat’s mission, respects the local community, and ensures the safety of all participants. In addition to complying with all laws, regulations and Habitat for Humanity policies, all volunteers are expected to follow the volunteer code of conduct noted below.
Principle 1: Promote a Respectful Community
Treat all volunteers, employees and community members with respect, courtesy and dignity
Make efforts to understand and honor the local culture
Engage others with cultural humility and contribute to a safe environment that celebrates diversity, practices equity, prioritizes inclusion, and promotes belonging
Avoid insensitive or offensive language that could be interpreted as humiliating, demeaning, or sexually suggestive
Do not engage in any form of harassment—verbal, physical, or sexual; including comments, jokes, gestures, or looks that could be considered inappropriate, unwelcome, or could contribute to a hostile or intimidating environment
Do not judge whether clients are “worthy” of Habitat’s services
Follow all rules and policies set forth by a staff member or supervising volunteer.
Principle 4: Protect from Harm
Do not engage in any behavior—verbal, physical, or sexual—with children or adults that may be interpreted as inappropriate, unwelcome, grooming, harmful, or abusive
Do not meet, spend time alone with, or show preferential treatment to any person partnering or receiving services from Habitat, children or adults. A minimum of two adults should be present when interacting with a child or other vulnerable person
Do not invite any person partnering or receiving services from Habitat, children or adults, into your residence or other accommodations; take them into a personal vehicle; seek to make contact, visit or spend time with outside of the scope of the Habitat project
Volunteers should not use any photos, videos, or stories of any person partnering or receiving services from Habitat, children or adults, on any social media or online communication platform
Allow Habitat staff and appointed family services representatives to communicate needed information with any person partnering or receiving services from Habitat
Any type of sexual activity is never considered appropriate between Habitat volunteers and any person partnering or receiving services from Habitat, children or adults, even if allowed by local laws
Principle 2: Prioritize Safety
Safety rules, procedures, and guidelines at build sites, ReStores, repair sites, Habitat offices and properties have been created to keep you and others safe as you volunteer and must be followed. Activities or behavior that raises the risk level should be avoided
Report any unsafe working conditions to the appropriate onsite supervisor
Principle 3: Zero-Tolerance for drugs, alcohol, and weapons
The purchase or possession of illegal drugs or weapons is prohibited on Habitat property and volunteer sites
The purchase or possession of alcohol is prohibited on and in transit to Habitat property and volunteer sites
Principle 5: Follow Gift-Giving Guidance
To avoid potential misunderstandings, embarrassment, injured feelings or jealousy, volunteers are asked not to exchange gifts with any person partnering or receiving services from Habitat, children or adults, without first consulting Habitat staff or designated family services personnel. Appropriate ways to exchange gifts can happily be discussed that will benefit the entire community
Principle 6: Protect Habitat Assets
Use reasonable care to protect all Habitat for Humanity resources. Stealing, misappropriation or diversion of Habitat funds, property or other assets for personal benefit is not permitted, nor is engaging in fraudulent activity regarding Habitat for Humanity’s assets, operations, or the community members or families who partner with Habitat
Principle 7: Maintain Confidentiality
Build trust by respecting the confidentiality of volunteers, staff, community members, and any person partnering or receiving services from Habitat, children or adults. Unless you receive prior written approval from Habitat, do not disclose personal stories or confidential information verbally, in writing, or online in any form.
Principle 8: Speak Up!
· Habitat embraces a “see something, say something” culture. If you become aware of potential misconduct, help reinforce our culture of courage and accountability by sharing your concerns with appropriate Habitat staff or a supervising volunteer. You can also anonymously report potential misconduct using the confidential Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line: www.heal.habitat.org or on a mobile device www.healmobile.habitat.org
If you have questions about this code or want to discuss its applications, please contact West Tuality Habitat for Humanity at (503) 359-8459 or via email at volunteer@westtualityhabitat.org