Code of Conduct for Volunteers

1. Purpose of the Code

1.1. We recognise that although the role of volunteer (including PCC member) is a voluntary one, volunteers agree to be bound by church regulations as well as acting in roles such as charitable trustees and employers. It is therefore vital that standards of conduct be set in the best interests of everyone involved.

1.2. This Code of Conduct has been adopted by the Parochial Church Council (the ‘PCC’) of The Benefice of Dartmouth & Dittisham as an expression of what it means, in the context of the work of the PCC, to respond to the Gospel imperative to “Love God and love our Neighbour as ourselves”. It is intended to guide volunteers in how they discharge their responsibilities and is consistent with the expectations in that respect of the Diocese and the Charity Commission.

1.3. The Code was adopted by the PCC on 15th April 2024. It will be reviewed at two yearly intervals, or more frequently if required.

2. Duties of Volunteers

2.1. The primary duty of volunteers is to ensure that the functions of the PCC are discharged effectively, in cooperation with the Incumbent and in compliance with the relevant requirements of the Church of England and of applicable secular legislation. In particular,

volunteers have all the responsibilities of Charity Trustees in relation to the management of the resources (buildings and money) held by the PCC on behalf of the Church.

2.2. Volunteers must therefore ensure that they are familiar with and at all times have regard to relevant provisions of ecclesiastical and secular legislation and to any policies or guidance adopted by the PCC or issued from time to time by, for example, the Diocese of Exeter or the Charity Commission which bear on their responsibilities.

3. Conduct of Volunteers

3.1. Volunteers must conduct themselves at all times in ways which further the best interests of the Benefice of Dartmouth & Dittisham and inspire trust and confidence in the Church and the PCC. They should not undertake any action which could bring the PCC or the Church into disrepute.

3.2. They should perform their duties in accordance with the seven principles of public life enunciated by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. These are:

Selflessness - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

Integrity - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

3.3. Volunteers should also seek to represent and promote the interests of all members of the congregation and parish.

4. Conduct at Meetings of the PCC and generally

4.1. Volunteers must act towards one another as they would expect to be treated themselves, that is in a manner which is respectful, considerate and courteous, even in the face of disagreement, and which helps to build collective trust.

4.2. When attending meetings or other events on behalf of the Church or PCC, volunteers should conduct themselves in a manner which reflects positively on the PCC and Church.

5. Conflicts of Interest

5.1. Volunteers must act at all times in the best interests of the Benefice of Dartmouth & Dittisham and avoid situations where there may be an actual or potential, real or perceived, conflict of interest between their personal interest and the interest of the PCC and/or Church.

5.2. Members of the PCC must declare at once any conflict of interest which may arise in relation to a matter under consideration by the PCC and refrain from participating in the PCC’s decision on that matter.

6. Authority to Speak on behalf of the PCC and/or Church

6.1. Members must not purport to speak on behalf of the PCC unless specifically authorised to do so by a meeting of the PCC or by a standing committee or Chairman of the PCC.

6.2. Volunteers must also ensure that in using social or other media they do not bring discredit on the PCC and/or Church.

7. Trustee Responsibilities

Members of the PCC must complete, on their election or appointment to office, the required Declaration that they comply with the ‘Fit and Proper Persons’ legislation and so are not disqualified from acting as a charity trustee

8. Safeguarding

All volunteers must familiarise themselves and comply with the Safeguarding Policy agreed by the PCC. They must complete any Safeguarding Declaration required of them and be willing to undertake DBS checks and safeguarding training from time to time as required.

9. Failure to Comply with this Code

9.1. Any alleged failure by a volunteer to meet the terms of this Code must be reported in writing to the Secretary of the PCC in the first instance, detailing the nature of the alleged failure. The Secretary shall report the receipt of such a complaint to the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the PCC.

9.2 After conferring with the Vice-Chairman, the Chairman may direct the Secretary or one of the Churchwardens to enquire into the circumstances of the alleged failure and in so doing to seek an explanation from the person who is the subject of the complaint.

9.3 Upon receipt of the report of such an enquiry, if it appears that there is a prima facie case that the requirements of this Code have not been observed but that the breach of the Code is minor and the person who is the subject of the complaint accepts the finding of the inquiry, the Chairman of the PCC may, after conferring with the Vice-Chairman, issue a verbal or written warning to the person who is the subject of the complaint in question.

9.4 If it appears that the breach of the Code is major and/or the person who is the subject of the complaint contests the findings of the inquiry, a standing committee of the PCC may establish a panel of three members of the Committee not previously involved in the case to hear the complaint and the response to it of the person who is the subject of the complaint.

9.5 The panel shall report the outcome to the PCC and to the person who is the subject of the complaint. If the panel upholds the complaint, the PCC may in its absolute discretion resolve to do any of the following:

9.5.1 Issue a written warning to the person against whom the complaint has been upheld.

9.5.2 Publicly censure the person concerned by reporting the complaint and its outcome to the congregation.

9.5.3 Request that the person concerned stand down from being a volunteer / trustee /member of the PCC.