Grote Gracht 74
6211 SZ, Maastricht
Phone: +31 6 34347277
E-Mail: info@innbetween.nl
Web: www.innbetween.nl
Bank: NL58INGB 0007 7173 63
Code of conduct for volunteers
1. Introduction
Within The InnBetween and Refugee Project Maastricht many volunteers are active in all kinds of areas.
Voluntary work shows social commitment and since we have a social function, it is important to record how we interact with each other in a document. In this document we would like to briefly consider this.
There are a number of aspects that we must be alert to and have agreements about.
For example:
• Respect for privacy
• Aggressive behavior
• Discrimination
• Transgressive (sexual or otherwise) behavior
2. Starting point and goal
First and foremost, a code of conduct is an important means of preventing and combating aggression, (sexual) intimidation and discrimination. As a result, employees and volunteers receive clear rules of conduct, draw the same line and can hold the person concerned to account in case of violation of the rules, while it also becomes clear to volunteers what is and what is not allowed. The introduction of a code of conduct also offers the possibility of making said undesirable behavior negotiable within The InnBetween and Refugee Project Maastricht.
3. Scope of the Code of Conduct
This code of conduct applies to all employees and registered The InnBetween and Refugee Project Maastricht volunteers who work in the various fields of the organization.
4. Volunteer Agreement
Failure to enter into, terminate or renew a volunteer agreement must not be related to a discriminatory principle. For example: a volunteer may not be rejected on non-intrinsic factors such as philosophy, gender, skin color, sexual orientation, …
5. Place of execution and work environment
The InnBetween and Refugee Project Maastricht is committed to a healthy, safe and discrimination-free environment for the volunteers. This also includes preventing volunteers from being exposed to aggression and discrimination by third parties. The interaction between employees, volunteers and visitors is determined by respect for non-intrinsic factors such as philosophy, gender, skin color, sexual orientation, age and others.
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6. Dealing with volunteers and visitors
Employees and volunteers do not accept aggressive behavior from volunteers and visitors and do not themselves initiate aggressive behavior towards them. Nor are cross-border (sexual or otherwise) behavior and discriminatory behavior of volunteers, visitors and employees accepted.
7. Other rules of conduct
• Employees and volunteers who have confidential information must act in accordance with the confidential adviser scheme. Confidential information means information obtained from and about the volunteers. This also includes information relating to (the intention to and the consequences of) criminal offenses, as well as information in the relational sphere that affects both the volunteers and the functioning and objectives of the employees of The InnBetween and Refugee Project Maastricht.
• The InnBetween’s Data and Privacy policy is applicable to RPM and can be found on the website: www.theinnbetween.nl
• The InnBetween and RPM follow the Corona guidelines of Maastricht University and COA/AZC. In case of online activities RPM uses Maastricht University’s Zoom environment.
• If a volunteer identifies matters within the organization that in their eyes do not fit in the context of acting with integrity, they must immediately inform the confidential counselor.
• The use of illegal drugs and excessive use of alcohol is prohibited while volunteering, as well as being under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
• The Addendum – Code of Conduct for volunteers working with minors, governs the behavioral rules and regulations for volunteers who interact with children and youth under 18 years old. All volunteers working with minors need a certificate of good behaviour or “Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag” (VOG).
8. Supervision
The members of the Complaints Committee and the chairman are responsible for the supervision and compliance with this code of conduct. Of course, every employee is also responsible for properly implementing and following up this code of conduct. The confidants of The InnBetween and Refugee Project Maastricht can also play a role in this. In case of non-compliance with the code of conduct, it will be examined which actions are necessary or desirable (assistance, aftercare, sanctions, legal action).
9. Complaints about inappropriate behavior
When a volunteer has a complaint about undesirable behavior, there is a complaints procedure.
• The interested party who is confronted with undesirable behavior can in the first instance turn to the confidential adviser. • If the consultation with the confidential adviser does not lead to a satisfactory solution, the interested party can submit a written complaint to the complaints committee.
Confidential counselor for students: Wendy Geijen wendy.geijen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Confidential adviser employees: Leonie der Kinderen l.derkinderen@centrumvaktherapie.nl
10. Evaluation
This document – Code of Conduct for volunteers – is put on the agenda of the team meeting once a year and checked for topicality. Last updated 28/10/2020
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Addendum – Code of Conduct for volunteers working with minors
11. Introduction
The Code of Conduct for working with children and youth, in short: minors (<18 years old), consists of two parts: rules that contribute to an open, transparent and safe environment for minors and the description of sexually transgressive behaviour that is the starting point of the disciplinary and sanctions policy that is conducted by the organization. When you come to work with us, as a volunteer, trainee or as a paid Board member, you declare that you know the code of conduct and act according to the code of conduct when signing your (volunteer) contract.
12. The rules of conduct for volunteers working with minors
● The volunteer must provide an environment and an atmosphere in which the minor feels safe and respected. ● The volunteer refrains from treating the child in a way that affects the minor in his dignity.
● The volunteer does not inquire further into the private life of the minor than is functionally necessary.
● The volunteer refrains from any form of sexual approach and abuse against the minor. All acts, sexual acts, contacts, and relationships between volunteers and minors are not permitted under any circumstances and are considered as sexually transgressive behaviour.
● The volunteer may not touch the minor in such a way that this contact is expected to be experienced as sexual or erotic in nature.
● During the various programs, the volunteer will be very cautious and respectful of minors and the spaces in which they find themselves, such as the dressing room or class room.
● The volunteer has the duty to protect the minor by all means against forms of unequal treatment and sexually transgressive behaviour and will actively ensure that the code of conduct is observed by everyone involved with the minor. ● If the volunteer identifies behaviour that is not in accordance with this code of conduct and suspicions of aggressive or sexually transgressive behaviour, they are obliged to report this to the persons appointed by the board, the pastors of The InnBetween.
● The volunteer will not receive or give any (im)material allowances that are not reasonable.
● In those cases where the Code of Conduct does not provide (immediately), or in case of doubt about the admissibility of certain behaviours, it is within the responsibility of the volunteer to act in the spirit of the Code of Conduct and, if necessary, to come into contact with a the board appointed person (the pastor).
13. Description of sexual cross-border behaviour with minors and sanctions policy
By sexual cross-border behaviour with minors we mean: any form of sexual behaviour or sexual approach, in verbal, nonverbal, or physical sense, intentional or unintentional, which is experienced by the person undergoing it as undesirable or forced; and / or takes place within an unequal balance of power (adult-child, care provider-client, teacher-student, trainer-pupil, management-youth member, etc.); and / or other acts or conduct that are punishable under the Penal Code.
Behaviour that, according to the above description, falls under sexually transgressive behaviour with minors, can be sanctioned by disciplinary proceedings in which there will be hearing and rebuttal.
The sanctions consist of excluding voluntary work with minors for a certain period by including personal data in a central register. Sexual cross-border behavior with minors whose management judges that they are covered by the Criminal Code will be reported to the police / judiciary.
14. Evaluation
This document – Code of Conduct for volunteers working with minors- is put on the agenda of the team meeting once a year and checked for topicality.
Last updated 28/10/2020
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