Ethical Standards- Volunteering

• Blog Post #8: Ethical Standards (NAEYC 6b)

  
  

  Criteria: Always upholds the highest ethical standards with all stakeholders 

Ethical standards in any field guide behavior and decision-making in terms of the environment you're in. Ethical standards in professional settings ensure that a process or procedure is followed in compliance with company practices and guidelines. When starting a new job with a company, there is usually an orientation session dedicated to ethics, including the company's values and objectives.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities maintains ethical standards through screening and procedures, ensuring that guests and volunteers are aware of their responsibilities and the rules and regulations of the House. Ethical standards for guests include providing accurate visitor information, adhering to scheduled times, and respecting other families within the house. Volunteers are given background checks, orientation, and training facilitated by a volunteer coordinator to ensure that they are aware of their roles and expectations while volunteering. Similar to job training, other rules and procedures are laid out so that volunteers understand what actions or services follow the organization's policy, like what to do when emergency services are required, handling improper behavior among guests, and what to do in case of a fire or other emergency.

Stakeholders within the charity house include employees, volunteers, day and night guests, visitors, and hospital staff. These members all ensure or desire the success of the Ronald McDonald House. The staff of the Ronald McDonald House and of the hospital can refer parents of hospitalized children to the program to determine if there is space for them to receive a room, or if they are eligible to be day guests and obtain other supports from the program. Ethics for guests is determined by their eligibility requirements, which are shared with inquiring parties. A stake of the organization is the treatment and support of the guests in the program; if the guests do not receive the support they need, it would negatively affect their donations and community outreach. To ensure that volunteers and staff act appropriately, following the desired behaviors of the company, their core values are established and expected to be reflected by those volunteering or working in the Ronald McDonald House. Based on satisfied guest testimonials with positive experiences from the program, their ethical standards fulfill their mission!

Our Core Values - Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati