Community Action Code of Ethics

We, as community action professionals ever respectful of cultural diversity, dedicate ourselves to eliminate poverty in the midst of plenty in this nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training; the opportunity to work, and the opportunity to live in decency an dignity, and commit ourselves to:

• Recognize that the chief function of the community action movement at all times is to serve the best interests of the poor.
• Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up-to-date on emerging issues and to conduct ourselves with professional competence, fairness, and effectiveness.
• Respect the structure and responsibilities of the board of directors, provide them with facts and advice as a basis for their decision making, and uphold and implement the policies adopted by the board of directors.
• Keep the community informed about issues affecting the poor and to facilitate communication among the poor, the non-poor private sector, and locally elected public officials.
• Conduct our organizational and operational duties with positive leadership exemplified by open communication, creativity, dedication and compassion.
• Exercise whatever discretionary authority we have under the law to promote the interests of the poor.
• Serve the community action movement with respect, concern, and responsiveness, recognizing that service to the poor is beyond service to oneself.
• Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and fortitude in our community action activities in order to inspire confidence in the community action movement.
• Perform our professional duties in such a way so as not to realize undue personal gain.
• Avoid any interest or activity which conflicts with the conduct of our official duties.
• Protect confidentiality in the course of our official duties.
• Strive for personal professional excellence and encourage the professional development of our associates and those seeking to become community action executives.

The National Association of Community Action Agencies, 2000