Solicitud de Voluntario

Code of Conduct

Policies and Procedures

In his first letter to the Church of Corinth, St. Paul urges members of that community to engage in a way of life that will show outsiders the nature of the community which is to be a reflection of Jesus.  (From “Safeguarding God’s Children” by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas) Honduras Good Works is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization that provides charitable and educational services to underserved poor in Honduras.  Participants in the organization’s programs are subject to the organization’s rules and procedures.  Board members, officers, committee chairpersons and members, members of the staff, and volunteers are expected to follow standards of conduct that are consistent with Jesus’s teachings and theCommandments in working with the Honduran people, our vendors and supporters, and each other.

1. “In service of the organization” refers to conducting official business and program activity for Honduras Good Works in the United States and in Honduras, including but not limited to: operating a medical clinic in the field, attending a Honduran function, conducting training sessions or evangelism segments for Hondurans, attending a church service.
2. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment.
   Verbal or written:
   • Comments about clothing, personal behavior, a person’s body;
   • Sexual or sex-based jokes;
   • Requesting sexual favors or repeatedly asking a person out;
   • Sexual innuendoes;
   • Telling rumors about a person’s personal or sexual life;
   • Threatening a person.
   Physical:
   • Assault;
   • Impeding or blocking movement;
   • Inappropriate touching of a person or a person’s clothing;
   • Inappropriate kissing, hugging, patting, stroking.
   Nonverbal:
   • Focusing on any other part of the anatomy besides the face during conversations;
   • Derogatory gestures or facial expressions of a sexual nature;
   • Following a person.
   Visual:
   • Posters, drawings, pictures, screensavers or emails of a sexual nature.

1. Any volunteer or staff member who violates this Code of Conduct is subject to discipline, up to and including removal from working with the organization and its programs.  State and federal guidelines may also apply in certain offenses.
2. Honduras Good Works observes a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual harassment and follows the United States’ legal definition of sexual harassment in interpreting its policy.
3. The activities listed below are strictly prohibited:
   • Abusive language towards any member or supporter of our organization, or any person we serve.
   • Abuse of alcoholic beverages when in the service of the organization.
   • Possession and/or use of illegal drugs or under the influence of drugs in any sponsored activities of Honduras Good Works, including the mission trip from beginning to completion, from the start of travel until end of travel.
   • Possession and/or use of any dangerous or unauthorized materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons or similar items.
   • Discourtesy or rudeness to a fellow volunteer or staff member
   • Verbal, physical or visual harassment of another volunteer, supporter, staff member, or any other person served by our organization including Hondurans.  This includes any act of sexual harassment as defined by U.S. law.
   • Actual or threatened violence toward any individual or group.
   • Conduct endangering the life, safety, health or well-being of others.
   • Failure to follow the Policies and Procedures of Honduras Good Works.
   • Bullying or taking unfair advantage of anyone connected with Honduras Good Works, including the Hondurans we serve.
4. Volunteers are expected to follow the directions of the designated team leader.
5. Moderate alcoholic consumption is restricted to the time designated as the “Social Hour.” Honduras Good Works will furnish snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for this time frame.  Those who choose to consume alcoholic beverages during the social hour will purchase them at their own expense from outside vendors and bring them to the social hour area.  Participants who consume alcohol at other times, or those who are observed as inebriated will be considered in violation of this directive and subject to the consequences described.  Excessive drinking is not allowed.
6. Quiet time starts at 10 p.m. A midnight curfew shall be observed.  Unless a valid reason is presented to a leader or board member, all participants shall be in their respective rooms from curfew until morning.
7. Except under special circumstances, volunteers are to always travel in groups.  No one is to venture out alone.  At night, volunteers are to stay within the compound and not travel outside designated boundaries.  If staying in a village, town or city, volunteers should travel with a Honduran escort, or a team member familiar with the culture and customs and who is fluent in the language.
8. As representatives of Honduras Good Works, all behavior should be exemplary. Romantic behavior is acceptable for married couples only. Behavior that is not consistent with Christian moral and spiritual guidelines will be addressed by team leaders.
9. Giving of gifts such as money, clothes, jewelry, tape players, etc. is discouraged.  Although the intent of the giver is good, the results after we leave can cause problems for our host, and jealously amongst the Hondurans who did not receive such gifts.  Under certain circumstances, with the approval of the team leader(s) or host, gifts may be offered.  Any gifts should be presented in the presence of one team member and one local leader.  (This constraint does not apply to items brought by the mission team for the purpose of distributing to the Honduran people.)
10. Each volunteer is  expected to act as a servant-disciple of the local pastor or missionary by adhering to the respected customs and culture as advised by our Honduran leadership team, and respecting the advice provided concerning behaviors, attire, eating and drinking, and other such traditions that will aid in  assimilating  into the local community.
11. Each volunteer is expected to refrain from behavior or activity that would hinder ministry during times of service.

1. Dress appropriately when working with the Honduran people.  Modest dress is specifically required for women prohibiting the wearing of clothing that is too revealing or provocative.  (Shorts, short skirts, and tank tops are specifically considered inappropriate.)
2. Offensive clothing with inappropriate language, images or innuendos should be avoided.
3. Tattoos in Honduras are associated with gang affiliations.  It is recommended that tattoos be covered with clothing.
4. Sturdy shoes are recommended as many streets are unpaved and paths are rocky and uneven.

If any constituent (volunteer, staff member, Honduran, etc.) experiences an incident of inappropriate behavior as defined in the Code of Conduct, the procedure is to report the incident to the  Administrator on Duty, any Board Member, or a member of the Risk Management Committee.  All reports will ultimately be handled by Risk Management Committee (Spiritual Advisor, Risk Management Chair, and the Mission Brigade Coordinator). The Risk Management Committee shall make every attempt to resolve the complaint in a timely manner according to the appropriate guidelines.

1. Offensive behavior toward any participant is unacceptable and should be immediately addressed by the offended participant to the offender (either verbally, in writing, or by action).  If the offended participant feels other action is necessary, the participant should inform a member of the Risk Management Committee.
2. If any officer, board member, volunteer, or employee is observed to be in violation of any law, or is not following the Organization’s Code of Ethics or Code of Conduct, the individual observing this violation or behavior is expected to report the matter verbally or in writing to Spiritual Advisor and Risk Management Chair.
3. The complainant will be contacted on a timely basis to acknowledge that the violation report was received.  The complainant will be notified about what actions will be taken.  If no further action or investigation is to follow, an explanation for the decision will be given to the complainant.
4. Violation of conduct expectations may result in restriction to the residence for one day, transport at the violator’s expense to Tegucigalpa, or transport at the violator’s expense to the United States.  The consequences will be determined by a combination of the Mission Risk Management Team:  Spiritual Advisor, Brigade Coordinator, and Risk Management Chair.