Codes of Conduct are a part of C3 Church Melbourne North Ltd’s commitment to safe emotional and physical environments, providing appropriate duty of care, including health and safety considerations.

This Volunteer Workers Code of Conduct contains the expected standards of behaviour for all volunteers at church and applies to all our volunteers whether in teams or on rosters.

Volunteering in church life is a highly valued and important part of service to the church. As a volunteer worker your integrity ensures these standards of behaviour should apply not only to your church life but also your personal life.

Servant Hearted  - Volunteers are servants of Christ, who should endeavour to become servant leaders as modelled by Jesus (John 13:3-14). The misuse of authority can be a particular temptation when being given a position of trust and power at church, this is not acceptable behaviour for a volunteer.

Behaviour - Volunteers at our church:

• will act in the best interests of those we serve.
• must not be abusive in any way toward others, spiritually, emotionally, physically or sexually, including domestic and family violence.
• will avoid the use of offensive language (e.g. swear words, sexual connotations, and racial or religious slurs).
• will exercise caution with all potentially addictive behaviours and/or harmful substances. Drunkenness is never acceptable behaviour for a volunteer.
• will not use any illicit substances.
• will use caution when initiating or receiving physical contact with those we serve, including gestures of comfort as such gestures can be unwanted or misinterpreted.
• will act with sexual integrity. Sexual innuendo and harassment of a sexual nature are always inappropriate.
• will report their concerns of abuse or children at risk of harm.
• will treat all people in our church fairly and in accordance with church policies and guidelines.
• will communicate with integrity, including accountable and wise use of electronic communication.
• will acknowledge when they are out of their depth, do not possess the required skill set in difficult pastoral situations, such as helping a victim of abuse, or a person who needs professional counselling, and seek help from a supervisor or church leader.
• will not take property belonging to others, including intellectual property (copyright).

Financial Matters - Volunteers are encouraged to have integrity in their financial dealings. Volunteers must not seek financial gain from their church role.

Confidentiality - Trust is essential in serving the church. Confidential information must not be disclosed and must be treated with the utmost care. Exceptions include when disclosure is required by law, abuse notifications whether required by law or not, there are concerns for the safety of the person or others, or when the information is in the public domain. Disclosure is a serious matter and the assistance of a supervisor or your Pastor should be sought.

Commitment to Team Ministry - Volunteers:

• will embrace the vision, values, and mission of the Church, and continue to develop ministry skills through a variety of means including team meetings.
• are accountable to the team, watch out for each other and protect each other's integrity.

Implementation of this Code of Conduct

1. Any breach of this code involving a criminal offence shall lead to a report being made to the relevant authorities. 
2. Any breaches relating to the harm, or risk of harm of a child or young person will be dealt with according to church procedure. 
3. Any other breach will be considered in the light of the best interests of the volunteer and those we serve and may result in the volunteer being stood down either temporarily or otherwise.
4. Breaches deemed serious misconduct (those which are subject to a state based Reportable Conduct Scheme where applicable, or breaches which if proven on balance to have occurred would result in disciplinary action against the volunteer) may result in workplace investigation according to the principles of natural justice.
5. Volunteer workers need to be open to correction and humble enough to modify behaviours so as to not discredit the gospel.

Thank you for your desire to volunteer at C3 Church Melbourne North Ltd. This declaration is part of our church's commitment to ensuring our duty of care to all people, and also to fulfil our insurance obligations, health and safety and other requirements.

Personal Details

Working With Children Check

Consent to Hold Information

Referee

If you have been in our church less than 1 year.

Declaration

1. I understand that the church operates in an environment of numerous legal and ethical restrictions, and I will fully cooperate with the church in abiding by these. I assure the church, in considering me for a volunteer role that:

   • I have no health impediment that will put me or any other person at risk in the fulfilment of my designated role.

   • Other than those matters disclosed by me to the church (noted above) at the time of making this declaration, 
I know of no past behaviour that renders me unfit to serve as a volunteer or which detracts from the obligation of the church to operate as a place of safety to a minor or any other person. Such past behaviour may include being the subject of an allegation of sexual abuse (whether convicted or not), including any type of molestation, indecent exposure, sexual harassment or intimidation.

2. I understand that if I am unclear as to any of the statements in this document, I will seek clarification from a team leader or church leader before signing.

3. I have provided this information, and any documents accompanying it in good faith and declare they are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

4. I understand that any material misstatement in or omission from this questionnaire may render me unfit to hold a particular role in the church.

5. I have received a copy of the Volunteer Code of Conduct and I agree to uphold it.

6. I understand that when considering whether there is an avenue for my voluntary services, my church may refer to their policies, procedures and guidelines.

7. I will respect the decision of my church as to where I volunteer my services within the church, and whether my services are required, from time to time.

8. I understand that a team leader will be available to me to discuss my service.