Code of Conduct

This code of conduct sets out the expectations that the United in the Community (UITC) has of its trustees, volunteers and staff employed to support it.

UITC will provide copies of this code of conduct to all trustees, employees and volunteers with specific roles upon commencement of that role. Other volunteers may receive this code of conduct on request and the principles of this document will be communicated within UITC publicity and promotional materials and as part of its activities.

Staff employed to support UITC will be provided with the code of conduct upon their appointment.

Principles
UITC is committed to operating to the highest standards of personal and corporate integrity.

In order to do this, UITC recognises it must set out the expectations it has of its trustees, volunteers and of the staff employed to support it.

General Expectations
All UITC trustees, volunteers and members of staff, are expected to:

• treat each other and those with whom UITC conducts business, with respect and value differences of opinion
• support an open, fair and safe environment for UITC activities
• act within the philosophy of equal opportunities
• comply with all other UITC policies and procedures

In addition, all parties should:

• declare any conflict of interests when participating in UITC activities
• not represent UITC or act on its behalf without agreement from the UITC board.
• not accept gifts or hospitality over the value of £20 on behalf of UITC without authorisation from the UITC Board of trustees

Expectations of trustees and volunteers with specific roles
UITC has certain expectations of trustees and volunteers who have specific roles to act or carry out work on behalf of UITC which include, but is not limited to, those who:

• sit on the UITC trustee board,
• are authorised to represent UITC on other groups or committees
• are authorised to act or communicate on behalf of UITC in any other way

UITC expects members and participants with specific roles to:

• adhere at all times to the vision of UITC and their specific role within it
• ensure any communication or action on behalf of UITC reflects current UITC policy and not personal views
• declare any conflict of interests upon commencement of their specific role
• avoid any action that might bring UITC into disrepute, even if this is outside UITC’s activities

Additional expectations of board members
In addition to the general expectations and the expectations of volunteers with specific roles, UITC has certain expectations of its trustees. These are to:

• act corporately and collectively in order that UITC has clear and unambiguous direction and voice
• declare any potential conflict of interests according to the UITC Conflict of Interests policy and where a conflict does arise, submit to the judgment of the remainder of the board with regards to reaching a resolution
• pay particular regard to the UITC Confidentiality policy
• support the outcome of any democratic decision reached
• continually seek ways to improve UITC governance practice and support the chair in his/her role
• notify the chair in advance and in writing if they wish to resign from the board, stating their reasons

If the board loses confidence in any individual board member then it reserves the right to ask for resignation and must give a full reason for the request.

Staff employed to support UITC
UITC expects staff employed to support it will act professionally and will uphold the spirit of the expectations that apply to its trustees and volunteers.

In particular, UITC expects staff employed to support it, will:

• adhere at all times to the vision of UITC and act corporately and collectively with the UITC board to ensure a clear and unambiguous direction and voice
• not communicate or act on behalf of UITC without the authority of the board
• Avoid any action that might bring UITC into disrepute, even if this is outside UITC’s activities

Breaching the code of conduct
UITC will take any failure to comply with this code of conduct very seriously and encourages its members and participants to report any breach through the UITC Complaints Procedure. If staff employed to support UITC identify any breach of this Code of Conduct, they must inform the UITC board.

All reports of action outside of this Code of Conduct will be investigated according to the UITC Complaints Procedure.

Footnote:
This policy was reviewed/ approved by trustees on 04/02/2022.This policy will be reviewed every two years as part of UITC wider policy/procedure review. Should there be changes in relevant legislation it may need to be reviewed earlier.

Trustees - Russell Cheasley (Chair), Caroline Preedy, Chris Oleksy

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