Code Of Ethics – Action Saint-François

1.1. MISSION STATMENT

Action Saint-François’s mission is to ensure the management, restoration, and remediation of waterways, riverbanks and flood plains within the St. Francis River watershed.

1.2. OBJECTIVES

The organization’s objectives are as follows:

Clean up the watercourses, the banks and the floodplains that make up the St. Francis River.
Revegetate and restore the banks and the floodplains along the St. Francis River.
Educate and empower the population regarding water quality within the St. Francis River drainage basin.
Involve the population in Action Saint-François’s

1.3 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Paramountcy of a healthy environment;
Democratic operations;
Cooperation between groups and individuals, as well as free collaboration;
Integration of the organization’s actions within a global environmental remediation and conservation approach, while ensuring these actions become rooted in the community;
Integrity (freedom of conscience) of the organization in order to ensure a high degree of transparency with the public and individuals;
Commitment towards these principles from all our partners;
Involvement of individuals as citizens, rather than as representatives of a corporation.

1.4 FOSTERED VALUES

With respect to the guiding principles above, there are several values that Action Saint-François strives to uphold, both in the accomplishment of its mission and in its relationships with partners. These values include respect, shared responsibility, mutual aid, solidarity, community openness, democracy, partnership, and commitment to the mission.

2. MUTUAL MORAL RESPONSABILITIES

The following responsibilities apply to all people working with Action Saint-François, namely administrators, employees, members, and volunteers.

ALL PEOPLE who work with Action Saint-François agree to:

2.1 FOSTER RESPECT

through relationships based on simplicity and openness, rather than authority and rigidity;
for each person, no matter their age, gender, education, experience, personality, or values;
through working conditions that ensure the organization’s smooth running and enable initiative and autonomy.

2.2 HAVE TRUST

in each person’s potential, skills and commitment;
in others’ abilities to find solutions to better organize the work;
in each person’s integrity and honesty.

2.3 ACKNOWLEDGE OTHERS

for their personal skills and strengths;
for the importance of their roles and duties;
for their effort and work on a daily basis;
for their professional and personal self-development.

2.4 PROMOTE COMMUNICATION

so all people can be informed of the organization’s decisions and procedures to follow;
to encourage creativity, involvement, and motivation;
so all members (and citizens) can be informed of the organization’s activities and direction.

2.5 ENCOURAGE MUTUAL SUPPORT

even in the most challenging situations;
by implementing structures to properly guide interventions, develop people’s strengths and improve their skills;
in order to create a work environment where each person can find support and encouragement from their coworkers.

2.6 BE OPEN

to the expression of feelings such as anger, worry, and sadness, while ensuring everyone is respected;
to the use of humour in everyday life;
to new ideas shared to update practices.

2.7 CREATE A CULTURE OF INVOLVEMENT

to motivate and mobilize each person to help achieve the organization’s goals;
by consulting with staff about the organization’s operation, the chosen priorities for the year, and the development of services;
to help staff better organize their work.

3. MORAL RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS VOLUNTEERS

Action Saint-François considers volunteers as key partners and much-needed helpers to achieve its goals. It is therefore important to outline specific moral responsibilities towards them.

This is why ALL PEOPLE who work with Action Saint-François agree to:

3.1 ENSURE VOLUNTEERS ARE RESPECTED

by taking into consideration their preferences and availability;
by being responsive to their needs, strengths and limitations;
by encouraging them to talk about their feelings and challenges regarding their involvement.

3.2 RESPECT VOLUNTEERS RIGHT TO BE INFORMED

by ensuring they have access to all information regarding their role and the organization;
by ensuring they receive ongoing training specific to their tasks;
by informing them of available recourses in the event of an injury.

3.3 PROTECT VOLUNTEERS

by warning them of possible dangers related to their tasks and teaching them how to prevent injuries;
by providing them with tools and devices required for their safety and make sure they use them.

3.4 SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS

by ensuring they find satisfaction in their work;
by making them feel they are important for the organization.

4. MORAL RESPONSABILITIES TOWARDS THE ORGANIZATION

4.1 RESPECT THE ORGANIZATION’S MISSION

by making sure to promote Action Saint-François’s values in all their work and keep the organization’s philosophy at heart;
by helping the organization achieve its goals to the best of their abilities.

4.2 CONTRIBUTE TO THE ORGANIZATION’S SMOOTH RUNNING AND DEVELOPMENT

by respecting its rules to the best of their knowledge;
by refraining from behaviours and/or attitudes that may be detrimental to the organization’s credibility, its independence, or even its very existence;
by strictly adhering to the organization’s funding policy;
by fostering a spirit of collaboration with others;
by showing resourcefulness and creativity to help the organization accomplish its projects;
by putting their skills and experiences to the benefit of the organization.

4.3 PROMOTE THE ORGANIZATION

by projecting a positive image of Action Saint-François at all times;
by representing the organization properly in the performance of their assigned duties;
by raising awareness about the organization’s goals and needs within the community.

4.4 PROTECT THE ORGANIZATION’S CREDIBILITY

by providing quality services;
by ensuring sound management of the organization;
by sharing relevant information about the organization’s services, direction, and stance.

5. MORAL RESPONSABILITIES TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY

Any community organization’s existence is justified by the needs of the local population. This reality prompted Action Saint-François to define its moral responsibilities towards its community.

This is why ALL PEOPLE who work with Action Saint-François agree to:

5.1 SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION INTEGRETION IN ITS COMMUNITY

by playing a key role in raising awareness about environmental issues, especially those related to Action Saint-François’s
by ensuring the organization’s initiatives are meaningful and efficient.

5.2 ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THE ORGANIZATION GROW

by sharing information about the organization’s needs it can help fulfill;
by making sure the organization’s structures allow its members to guide its direction.

6. MORAL RESPONSABILITIES REGARDING CONFLICTS OF INTREST

Citizens have the choice to become members or volunteers with Action Saint-François, and their involvement should not enable them to benefit from services or perks other than those set out, eligible, and authorized as part of the organization’s operations.

This is why ALL PEOPLE who work with Action Saint-François agree to:

6.1 AVOID ANY CONFLICT OF INTERST

related to the use of Action Saint-François’s property and equipment for personal use or purposes other than the organization’s activities;
related to the use of Action Saint-François’s name and logo for personal use or purposes other than the organization’s activities;
related to the use of member and volunteer lists for personal use or purposes other than the organization’s activities;
by making hiring decisions regardless of intimate or family relationships.

The members of the board of directors are elected at the general assembly in order to run the organization and ensure the completion of its activities in accordance with its mission, general rules, and Code of Ethics.

Hence, EVERY MEMBER of the board of directors agrees to:

Inform the other board members of all potential or existing conflict of interest.

7. FINAL PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF ETHICS

This section aims to inform the reader about the administrative management of this Code of Ethics.

7.1 APPLICATION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS

Failure to comply with this Code of Ethics can result in a complaint.

7.2 DISSATISFACTION AND COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE

Action Saint-François established a procedure to deal with dissatisfaction and complaints, which is appended to this Code of Ethics. A copy of this procedure must be handed out upon request.

7.3 ETHICS COMMITTEE

The ethics committee is established by the board of directors and is responsible for promoting, interpreting, and updating the Code of Ethics, as well as dealing with complaints, among other duties.

7.4 REVIEW OF THE ETHICS

The Code of Ethics must be revised within the three years following its adoption.

7.5 EFFECTIVE DATE

The Code of Ethics takes effect on the day it is adopted by Action Saint-François’s general assembly.