Volunteer code of conduct

1. Purpose

InclusiveMe Connect is committed to reducing physical and digital barriers faced by Students with Disabilities at the University of Ilorin by connecting them with trained volunteers, support services, learning resources and opportunities.

This Volunteer Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour and responsibilities expected of all volunteers participating in the initiative. It is designed to ensure that every volunteer interaction is respectful and safe.

All volunteers must read, understand and agree to comply with this Code before commencing their duties.

2. Core Principles

All InclusiveMe Connect volunteers are expected to uphold the following principles:

• Respect: Treat every student with dignity, courtesy and consideration.

• Inclusion: Recognise the rights, abilities, experiences and individual needs of Students with Disabilities.

• Independence: Support students to make their own decisions and maintain control over their lives.

• Integrity: Be honest, dependable and transparent in all interactions.

• Confidentiality: Protect students' personal information and respect their privacy.

• Accountability: Take responsibility for assigned duties, decisions and actions.

• Safety: Prioritise the physical, emotional and digital safety of everyone involved.

3. Professional Conduct and Responsibilities

Volunteers must:

1. Attend required orientation sessions and complete any assigned training before providing support.

2. Understand their assigned responsibilities and operate within the limits of their training and competence.

3. Be punctual, reliable and respectful of agreed schedules.

4. Communicate promptly with students and the project team about delays, absences or changes in availability.

5. Treat all beneficiaries fairly, without discrimination or favouritism.

6. Follow InclusiveMe Connect's approved procedures for volunteer matching, support delivery, communication and reporting.

7. Provide accurate information and avoid making promises about jobs, financial assistance or other services.

8. Represent InclusiveMe Connect professionally during project activities and interactions with external stakeholders.

9. Seek guidance from the project team whenever a request falls outside their assigned role.

10. Provide honest feedback and accurate reports on completed activities.

4. Disability Inclusion and Respectful Support

Volunteers must recognise that Students with Disabilities are individuals with different preferences, abilities and support requirements.

Volunteers are required to:

• Communicate directly with the student rather than automatically addressing a companion or caregiver.

• Ask what assistance is needed instead of making assumptions.

• Obtain permission before touching a person, guiding them, moving their mobility aid or handling their belongings.

• Respect a student's decision to accept, decline or discontinue assistance.

• Avoid patronising behaviour, pity-based language, stereotypes or comments that diminish a person's dignity.

• Respect the use of assistive technology, mobility aids, sign language and alternative communication methods.

• Make reasonable efforts to ensure that communication and support arrangements are accessible.

• Encourage independence and participation rather than taking over tasks a student can or wishes to perform independently.

Volunteers shall not treat disability as a reason to question a student's intelligence, competence or right to participate fully in university life.

5. Boundaries and Safeguarding

Volunteers occupy positions of trust and shall maintain appropriate boundaries with every beneficiary.

Volunteers shall not:

• Engage in sexual harassment, exploitation, coercion, intimidation or abusive behaviour.

• Use their role to pressure students into romantic relationships, personal favours or unwanted interactions.

• Request money, gifts or other personal benefits in exchange for support.

• Exploit students' personal circumstances, disabilities or need for assistance.

• Use threats, manipulation or emotional pressure to influence students' decisions.

• Share inappropriate content or send unsolicited sexual messages.

• Arrange activities or meetings in ways that breach project safeguarding procedures or expose beneficiaries to avoidable risks.

• Provide medical, legal, financial or other professional advice beyond their competence.

Where an in-person meeting or support activity is required, volunteers shall follow the project's approved safety arrangements and respect the student's preferences.

Any concern involving abuse, exploitation, harassment or immediate danger must be reported promptly through the designated safeguarding channel.

6. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Volunteers may encounter sensitive information about students, including contact details, disability-related information, academic circumstances and personal support needs.

Volunteers shall:

1. Access only the information necessary to fulfil their assigned responsibilities.

2. Keep all beneficiary information confidential.

3. Never disclose personal information to friends, classmates, other volunteers or external parties without proper authorisation and a lawful basis.

4. Avoid taking screenshots, photographs, recordings or copies of private conversations without appropriate permission.

5. Use approved communication channels when handling project-related information.

6. Protect devices, documents and accounts containing beneficiary information.

7. Report suspected data breaches, lost devices or accidental disclosures promptly.

8. Delete or return project information when required by authorised project procedures.

Confidentiality obligations remain after a volunteer's participation ends.

7. Communication and Digital Conduct

All communication with beneficiaries and other team members must be respectful, professional and appropriate.

Volunteers shall:

• Use clear language.

• Respect students' preferred communication methods and reasonable communication boundaries.

• Respond to messages within agreed or reasonable timeframes.

• Avoid harassment, bullying, discrimination and offensive language.

• Refrain from sharing unverified information or misleading opportunities.

• Respect the privacy of project groups and conversations.

• Avoid using their volunteer position to promote unrelated commercial services or solicit beneficiaries.

Volunteers shall not publish stories, photographs, videos or testimonials about beneficiaries for personal or organisational publicity without the required consent and project authorisation.

8. Conflict of Interest and Responsible Use of Resources

Volunteers must act in the best interests of the project and its beneficiaries.

Project resources, information, accounts and equipment must be used only for authorised purposes. Volunteers shall not misuse the InclusiveMe Connect name, logo, platform or beneficiary network for personal gain or unauthorised activities.

9. Reporting Concerns and Misconduct

Volunteers are expected to report suspected misconduct, safeguarding concerns, discrimination, fraud, data breaches or other violations of this Code to the designated project lead or safeguarding focal person.

Reports will be handled as fairly and confidentially as possible.

Volunteers must cooperate with authorised reviews or investigations and must not conceal, intimidate witnesses or interfere with the reporting process.

10. Breaches and Consequences

Failure to comply with this Code may result in a formal warning, suspension of volunteer duties or removal from the programme.

Serious concerns will be referred to the appropriate university authorities, relevant institutions or law enforcement where warranted.

Any action will be handled fairly, proportionately and in accordance with applicable policies and laws.

11. Volunteer Commitment

By joining InclusiveMe Connect, I commit to providing responsible, respectful and inclusive support to Students with Disabilities. I understand that my role is to empower students, respect their choices and contribute to a safer and more accessible campus community.

I acknowledge that failure to comply with this Code may affect my continued participation as a volunteer.

I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to abide by the InclusiveMe Connect Volunteer Code of Conduct.