The Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement

The Multicultural Council of Windsor & Essex County (MCC) hereby adopts The Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement as an integral part of our operating practice, to be made known to every employee and volunteer, and to be made readily available to every staff member and volunteer for consistent reference and consultation.

ORGANIZATION MANDATE AND MISSION

The mandate of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County (MCC) is to promote and encourage a harmonious society in Windsor and Essex County that is Multi-racial, Multi-ethnic, and Multi-faith and to work towards the social equality of all cultures.

BOARD END POLICY STATEMENT

The Multicultural Council of Windsor exists so that people of Windsor and Essex County value and accept diversity in our increasingly multi-ethnic, multi-faith, and multi-social community.

VALUES FOR VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT

  • Volunteer involvement is vital to a just and democratic society. It fosters civic responsibility, participation, and interaction.
  • Volunteer involvement strengthens communities. It promotes change and development by identifying and responding to community needs.
  • Volunteer involvement mutually benefits both the volunteer and the organization. It increases the capacity of organizations to accomplish their goals, and provides volunteers with opportunities to develop and contribute.
  • Volunteer involvement is based on relationships. Volunteers are expected to act with integrity and be respectful and responsive to others with whom they interact.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT

  • Multicultural Council recognizes that volunteers are a vital human resource and will commit to the appropriate infrastructure to support volunteers. The MCC’s practices ensure effective volunteer involvement and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for volunteers.
  • Volunteers make a commitment and are accountable to the MCC. Volunteers will act with respect for beneficiaries and community. Volunteers will act responsibly and with integrity.

ORGANIZATION STANDARDS FOR VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT

  • The board of directors and senior management acknowledge and support the vital role of volunteers in achieving the Multicultural Councils’ mission and vision.
  • Policies and procedures are adopted by the Multicultural Council to provide a framework that defines and supports the involvement of volunteers.
  • A qualified person is designate to be responsible for the volunteer program.
  • A clearly communicated screening process is consistently applied.
  • Volunteer assignments address the purpose of the organization and involve volunteers in meaningful ways – reflecting their various abilities, needs, and backgrounds.
  • Volunteer recruitment and selection reaches out to diverse sources of volunteers.
  • Volunteers receive an orientation to the organization, its policies and procedures, and receive training for their volunteer assignment.
  • Volunteers are welcomed and treated as valuable and integral members of the organization’s human resources.
  • The contributions of volunteers are regularly acknowledged with formal and informal recognition methods.