Code of Ethics

Penticton and Area Access Society’s (ACCESS) mission can be realized through a common code of ethics upheld by our board of directors, staff and volunteers.

  • We expect integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness in our work; courage in our decisions; and dedication to ACCESS’s values and beliefs.
  • We expect responsible action on behalf of the organization and are accountable and transparent to our clients, funders, community and to one another. We share information when appropriate without sacrificing confidentiality.
  • We expect to be treated and to treat others with respect. We respect the opinions of and the differences among individuals.
  • We expect fairness to be evident in our actions internally and externally. We are equitable in our decisions and mindful of their impact on other groups and people.
  • We expect our actions to demonstrate our care for others and for the community as a whole.
  • We support each other in a humane manner.
  • We care about the well-being of each other, the community, and the ACCESS organization.
  • We expect the actions of ACCESS board members, staff and volunteers to uphold the key values of the organization as listed below:

OUR VALUES:

Respect- We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that treats individuals of diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences with respect.

Equity- We acknowledge that the challenges individuals face are not the same, and that fair solutions are different for everyone. We pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that is flexible in its response to the issues its clients bring forward, and which works to assist each individual with the amount and type of assistance appropriate to their unique situation.

Empowerment- We believe that each individual has the right to make their own life choices and deserves to be encouraged and supported in attaining their desired actions and outcomes. We pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment in which individuals can get information and support they need to move from powerlessness and dependency to becoming a valuable contributor to society.

Community- We believe in the power of individuals and agencies working together to create more supportive communities for all. We pledge ourselves to working in collaboration with other organizations with similar goals, to strengthen and support each other.

Safe Environment- We acknowledge the right of every individual to live in an environment free from verbal or physical attacks. We pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment where all can feel safe from physical or emotional harm.