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The Code of Conduct is designed to help a volunteer to achieve the most out of his stay in a safe manner. It also ensures that the organizations and people he works with are treated with respect and that consideration is given to other cultural aspects during the volunteer stay.
A volunteer acknowledges that a breach of any of these rules may result in the termination of his contract with The way home.
• to listen to, and follow any advice or requests of the sending organization as well as the host organization, and to act accordingly,
• to understand that he is a volunteer of not only The way home but also his country of origin and act accordingly,
• to respect, and seek to understand the culture of India. This involves being tolerant to varying approaches of the local people (the host organization can explain the cultural standards and give advise). A volunteer understands that many things in India might seem for him/her unfair, backward or untoward, and thus very hard to understand. This occurs due to various historical phenomenon and thousands of years of development. A volunteer has no power to change it, but local people themselves if they understand and feel the need to change. One of the most effective ways of empower people is education.
• to follow the Rules and conditions of volunteer program, to respect the local community and accommodation providers regarding consumption of alcohol,
• to be aware of potentially different attitudes towards sexual relationships in India and understand the effect that any such relationship may have on individuals and the local community,
• to treat all people with respect and dignity,
• to dress appropriately at all times with regard to the culture the volunteer lives in,
• not to engage in political demonstrations, corruption or in other illegal activities,
• to accept, that to change project or accommodation is only possible with agreement with host organization
• to consult the host organization outside normal working hours only in an emergency,
• to endeavor maintaining a positive mental attitude throughout his stay,
• to act as a conscientious member of the team. The volunteer is relied on as a dedicated member of team,
• to abide by all the rules of the project and respect them as any other volunteer,
• to work hard to achieve not only his own personal goals, but also those of the project and the people and/or organization that the volunteer is working in,
• to inform the sending organization in case he is not able to fulfill the duties to which he has committed,
• to carefully handle all given materials and devices entrusted to him/her during his stay,
• not to receive any payment for his work or services.
• to respect local customs and to abide all given rules of accommodation,
• to check with the person in charge of the accommodation before inviting anybody to his room,
• to respect the given accommodation and pay for any damage he may cause to the property,
• to keep his room clean and tidy,
• not to smoke in the accommodation premises,
• to remain at the given accommodation premises changed by the host organization,
• to settle any outstanding telephone and other bills before leaving the project.
In case the volunteer shares the accommodation with other volunteers, he shall keep in mind that it is also a place for other volunteers to rest and prepare for their everyday duties. Therefore, among other rules that are valid at the premises to ensure the safety and well being of the personnel, there might apply a curfew that requires the volunteer to be back at the accommodation at a certain time.
All local rules, laws and customs shall be respected!
• firstly, to try to resolve any conflict or complaint at the level of the conflict or complaint,
• if unable to resolve the conflict or a complaint with the parties involved, the volunteer shall contact the sending organization and/or the host organization.
• to be sensitive to the surrounding environment
• to identify with the mission of The way home and to act and represent it accordingly, and also not to cause harm to any other organizations
A volunteer is broadminded in social life. He is willing to listen to others, respect different opinions and make compromises, if necessary. A volunteer is determined to build relationships with the local community and not only with the other volunteers. A volunteer appreciates that local people will watch him/her with great interest and he is ready to engage in the activities of the founder of the mission - the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) even if that is not a well-known community to him/her. A volunteer understands that they he is regarded as an authorized volunteer of the Jesuits and as a volunteer of "the West" or "rich world". A volunteer is broadminded when it comes to other people's prejudices; he is benevolent and open to change in his own misconceptions. A volunteer acts in all his activities with respect for the dignity, values, history, religion and culture of people he works with, in accordance with the fundamental human rights. A volunteer respects other organizations and does not spread misleading or deceptive public statements about them.
• to be responsive to other people's needs and fulfill the tasks which a volunteer has committed himself/herself to
A volunteer shall act on the basis of solidarity and not purely out of sympathy for the poor. He realizes that his activities play a significant role in correcting the injustices and inequalities that are mainly caused and maintained by the developed countries. A volunteer lives simply, mostly from the local sources and does not support the economic and social disparities, preferring traveling from work or living isolated from the local communities. The work of a volunteer shall be rather humble community service, and not the fulfillment of personal needs and perceptions. Only in such a way, the volunteers can become the envoys of change.
• to ask for work related help when needed
A volunteer is adaptable and flexible. He shall not judge a new culture based on his standards and criteria, but rather shall seek and enjoy new perspectives he can benefit from. A volunteer stays frank and open-minded to the new cultures, even if they seem confusing. A volunteer shall not incline to the assessment separating 'them' from 'us'. A volunteer is determined to learn and grow through the efforts to understand the differences. Even if a volunteer finds it difficult to adapt, he tries to have dispassionate attitude despite a situation of cultural shock, sickness, and/or homesickness. A volunteer seeks support and willingly accepts the offered assistance.
• to be a team player
A volunteer is able to face changing and difficult situations. A volunteer is independent and has emotional stamina. A volunteer prefers to solve his problems directly on the spot, before turning to an authority for assistance. Nevertheless, a volunteer appreciates advice from more experienced people and he is willing to work under supervision of a respected authority. A volunteer shall treat everyone with respect.
• to be reliable
• to know and to be aware of his own personal limits (time and health limits)
• shall not misuse gained trust
A volunteer is aware of his capabilities, skills and weaknesses and he knows what he needs to improve. A volunteer is reliable and creative. A volunteer has the ability to recognize when a task or a situation is beyond his capabilities and he appropriately delegates it (i.e. assigns it to someone else).
A volunteer is aware that people everywhere around the world dress differently and not everywhere is the same kind of clothing considered sufficiently discreet. To avoid inconvenience, a volunteer might cause with too provocative clothes, he does not wear clothing that is inappropriate:
• clothing exposing the top of the shoulders (sleeveless dress), tank tops,
• tops revealing breasts (deep neckline),
• too tight clothes,
• transparent clothes,
• too short clothes (trousers, dresses, skirts) which does not cover the knees,
• clothing with holes,
• clothes revealing belly,
• clothes revealing underwear,
• clothes (or tattoo) which displays inappropriate symbols, pictures or words (for example, promoting drugs, alcohol, inappropriate links, inappropriate graphics, etc.).
Hairstyles and accessories should not jeopardize the safety at work, or otherwise interfere with work.
• a volunteer is obliged to ensure his safety and health as well as health and safety of all people present
A volunteer is aware that the new conditions which he is not familiar with are a risk to his safety much more that the environment he knows well. Therefore, a volunteer has to behave in a way so that he does not endanger himself/herself or others. A volunteer shall rather ask for an advice if he is not familiar with the actions or the consequences of his actions.
A volunteer solemnly state, that he/she read above stated Code of conduct and Code of Ethics, that he/she understands its content, and that it is in accordance with his/her real and serious will to respect it and act accordingly. He/she confirms it by adding his/her self-made signatures.
