ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER

VOLUNTEER’S CODE OF CONDUCT

Our children, youth and vulnerable adults are the most important gifts God has entrusted to us.  I recognize my first obligation is to give a good example of charity, kindness and integrity to those whom I serve.  As a volunteer I promise to strictly follow the rules and guidelines in this Volunteer’s Code of Conduct as a condition of my providing services to the children, youth, or vulnerable adults of our (parish, school, facility, diocese, etc.).

Volunteers shall:

• Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
• Avoid situations where they are alone with children, youth, or vulnerable adults at Church activities.
• Use positive reinforcement with children, youth, and vulnerable adults rather than criticism, competition, or comparison.
• Refuse to accept expensive gifts from individual children, youth, vulnerable adults or parents without previous written approval of the pastor or administrator.
• Refrain from giving expensive gifts to children, youth, or vulnerable adults without prior approval of the parents or guardian and the pastor or administrator.
• Report to the pastor, administrator, or appropriate supervisor any suspected abuse.
• Cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children, youth or vulnerable adults.
• Be familiar with pertinent safety policies and follow them as circumstances demand.
• Agree to participate in appropriate training as required by my supervisor.

Volunteers must not:

• Smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of children or youth.
• Use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time or alcohol at any time while volunteering.
• Pose any health risk to children, youth, or vulnerable adults (i.e., no fevers or other contagious situations).
• Strike, spank, shake, or slap any child, youth, or vulnerable adults.
• Humiliate, ridicule, or degrade children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
• Touch any child, youth, or vulnerable adults in a sexual manner.
• Expose any child, youth, or vulnerable adults to pornographic or obscene material in any format.
• Use profanity in the presence of any child or youth.
• Use any discipline that humiliates any child, youth, or vulnerable adults.
• No church personnel should take advantage of anyone to whom they are providing services in order to further their personal, religious, political, or business interests.

Volunteer Place of Service: _____________________________            Position: _________________________

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                               Volunteer’s Signature                                                                                          Date           

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                                               Printed Name