1.
What’s Ethics Got to
do with This?

2.
Welcome!

3.
How often do you think about the
role of ethics in your work with
volunteers?
2

4.
3
Let’s create a safe space for an honest
conversation.
• Respectful interactions
• Confidentiality outside this room
• Listen and connect
• Nurture innovation and creativity
• What else?

5.
4
We all
carry
around
an ethics
backpack

6.
Ethics are:
Morals – personal identification of right and wrong
Beliefs – an idea held to be true
Values – guide decision-making and prioritization
Principles – a standard or code for decision-making
Culture – goals, values, and beliefs for an organization

7.
How do you know if you’re in an
ethical dilemma?
6

8.
What types of ethical dilemmas have
you faced in your work with
volunteers?
7

9.
CCVA Ethical Core Values and
Principles
Citizenship
Respect
AccountabilityFairness
Trust
8

10.
9
Citizenship
Volunteerism is a foundation of civil
societies and guides the organization
and its stakeholders toward active
community participation.
• Philosophy of Volunteerism
• Social Responsibility
• Philanthropy
Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration, CCVA 2016

11.
10
Respect
Acknowledges the inherent value, skills
and abilities of all individuals and affirms
the mutual benefit gained by the
volunteer and the organization.
• Dignity
• Inclusivity
• Privacy
Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration, CCVA 2016

12.
11
Accounta-
bility
Demonstrates responsibility to the
organization, its stakeholders and the
profession of volunteer administration.
• Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement
• Professionalism
Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration, CCVA 2016

13.
12
Fairness
Commits to individual and collective efforts
that build and support a fair and just
organizational culture.
• Impartiality
• Equity
• Justice
Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration, CCVA 2016

14.
13
Trust
Maintains loyal and trusting relationships
with all stakeholders and is dedicated to
providing a safe environment based on
established standards of practice.
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Commitment
Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration, CCVA 2016

15.
Why should we talk about ethics?
14

16.
What are our choices if we find
ourselves in an ethical dilemma?
15

17.
Ethical Decision-Making
Facts
Ethical
Issues
Options
Decide &
Test
Act!

18.
Testing Your Decision
Consequence
Legal
Image
Culture
KnotCouncil for Certification in Volunteer Administration, November 2016

19.
When have you faced an ethical
dilemma?
How could ethical decision making
help?
18

20.
Steps for Ethical Decision-Making
1. Gather more information. What do you need to know?
What led to this situation?
2. Determine where the ethical dilemma lies – which two
or more core values are in conflict.
3. Review and explore the options available.
4. Make a decision and test it. Does this feel like the right
solution? If this decision was public knowledge would it
represent your organization’s, or your, ethical principles?
5. Act! Once a decision has been made and tested don’t
continue to review it. Act with confidence and
professionalism.

21.
How can you use your ethical
backpack, your organization’s, the
field’s to make decisions?
20

22.
Talk about it
• Start a conversation about your organization’s culture
– goals, values, and beliefs – of volunteer
engagement
• Open, honest, and transparent communications
around decision making
• Share ‘what if’ stories with your organization
• Leadership, leaders/managers of volunteers, paid and
volunteer staff
• Address where the organization may be exposed to
risk
21

23.
Resources
Independent Sector (sample codes)
www.independentsector.org
Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration
www.cvacert.org/resources-and-media/professional-ethics/
How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the
Dilemmas of Ethical Living, by Rushworth M. Kidder
Josephson Institute of Ethics
www.josephsoninstitute.org
22

24.
Thank You!
Jennifer Bennett, CVA
VolunteerMatch
jbennett@volunteermatch.org
Michele Matter
Council for Certification in
Volunteer Administration
execdir@cvacert.org

25.
Ethical Decision-Making for Volunteer Engagement
An ethical decision is not just a hard decision, or a decision where one party or stakeholder will
fail to get what they want, and ethical decision is one in which two or more core values are in
opposition – where an obvious right answer, no matter how difficult, isn’t available. When facing
an ethical dilemma you want to consider the Core Values of Volunteer Engagement, your own
personal morals and beliefs, and those of your organization.
Think about where your ethics, your organization’s ethics, and the field of volunteer
engagement’s ethics overlap? Where do these ethics align? Where are there differences?
Does your organization have a written code of ethics or stated values and beliefs around
volunteer engagement?
If you don’t have a written statement or code can you identify or clarify your organization’s
culture around volunteer engagement through observed priorities? Are these in line with your
ethics and the Core Values of Volunteer Engagement?
Using Ethical Decision-Making
Use this process to discuss an ethical dilemma and determine the best path forward. Remember
in an ethical dilemma there may not be a clear right answer or solution.
1. Gather more information. What do you need to know about the situation and the
stakeholders? What led to this situation?
2. Determine where the ethical dilemma lies – which two or more core values are in conflict.
What about this issue makes it an ethical dilemma?
3. Review and explore the options available.
4. Make a decision and test it. Does this feel like the right solution? If this decision was
public knowledge would it represent your organization’s, or your, ethical principles?
5. Act! Once a decision has been made and tested don’t continue to review it. Act with
confidence and professionalism.
Discuss Ethics in Your Organization
Does your organization have a stated code of ethics, or written values or beliefs? If you don’t, are
these topics discussed informally or during strategic planning activities?
If you’re starting from scratch can you identify where values and beliefs are used to support
volunteer engagement? Limit the work of volunteers?
Begin informal conversations with stakeholders and leaders about the importance of ethical
decision-making and its role in risk management.
Use scenarios or likely situations to explore and model ethical dilemmas with paid staff and
volunteers.
Find others in your organization who can help you explore and determine the best course of
action when you’re faced with an ethical dilemma.