Volunteer Code of Conduct

Welcoming our Volunteers in an open, engaging, and safe environment.

With this Volunteer Code of Conduct, the PMI Switzerland Chapter aims to offer you a rewarding Volunteer experience. Your own contributions and conduct play an important role in achieving success and therefore we ask each Chapter Volunteer to review, understand and accept this code.

This code does not replace any applicable PMI or Chapter policy but summarizes and sets out the overall expectations for your role as a Chapter Volunteer, aiming to manage expectations, reduce potential conflicts, protect Chapter data confidentiality, and serve as a basis for corrective actions or potential exclusion in case of inappropriate behavior.

By volunteering for the PMI Switzerland Chapter, you shall act according to the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct - both the aspirational and the mandatory standards -, to this Chapter Volunteers Code of Conduct, and to any applicable policy relevant to your Volunteer role and brought to your attention by your Team Lead.

Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns to your Team Lead, or to any member of the PMI Switzerland Chapter Board.

In today's digital age, safeguarding personal and sensitive information is paramount. As a Volunteer, it is critical to handle all data with the utmost confidentiality and care. Any information acquired during volunteering must be securely stored on the Chapter shared drive, according to the specific on-boarding and IS/IT procedures, and only used for its intended purpose. Volunteers should remain vigilant against unauthorized access, breaches, or other leaks. Adhering to these principles helps maintain trust and integrity, and ensures compliance with privacy laws and regulations, the PMI policies and the relevant Chapter policies and procedures.

Expected Behavior:

• Confidentiality: You may have access to sensitive or personal information during your Volunteer service. You are required to keep all such information confidential and share it only with authorized individuals via the agreed channels. Always maintain the confidentiality of personal data. Share information only with authorized individuals and solely for the legitimate purpose related to your Volunteer role.
• Data Handling: Collect, retain, transmit only the personal and Chapter data necessary for your assigned tasks. Avoid gathering or storing excessive or irrelevant information on your personal devices, verify and dispose of unnecessary data on a regular basis.
• Incident Reporting: Immediately report any suspected data breach or security incident to your Team Lead or to the designated Chapter Data Protection officer.

Inappropriate Behavior:

• Unauthorized Access: Accessing or disclosing personal, sensitive, or confidential data without proper authorization or for purposes unrelated to your Volunteer responsibilities.
• Negligence: Failing to follow established data protection policies and procedures, leading to potential data breaches or unauthorized disclosures.
• Data Misuse: Using personal data for purposes beyond the scope of your Volunteer role or without proper consent. Breach of confidentiality and misuse of shared information or Chapter resources.

A harmonious, transparent, and respectful environment is indispensable for effective collaboration and trustful relations. Volunteers are expected to treat each other with fairness, respect, and consideration. Bullying, harassment, or any form of discrimination will not be tolerated. Open communication, empathy, and mutual support are encouraged to foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere. By valuing each other's contributions and maintaining professional conduct, Volunteers can work together more effectively and enjoy a rewarding experience.

Chapter Volunteers shall lead by example.

Expected Behavior:

• Respect: Treat all fellow Volunteers with respect and fairness. Be welcoming, appreciate cultural differences, encourage viewpoints, take time to know each other.
• Reliability: Actively participate and act reliably, complete all assignments on time, deliver on your promises as we strive to. Proactively ask for help in case of unexpected events or issues that may impact deadlines.
• Communication: Conduct and communicate professionally and courteously, even when it is not reciprocated. Strive to create an environment in which others feel appreciated, encouraged, and safe to tell the truth.
• Responsibility: Work through potential challenges with resilience, seek help or clarification when needed, critique ideas constructively, not the people. Respect Chapter policies that govern Volunteers’ activities.

Inappropriate Behavior:

• Disrespect: Disrespectful, discriminatory, abusive behavior, bad faith, breach of the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
• Irregularity: Repeated tardiness or failure to fulfill commitments without proactive justification.
• Abuse: Harassment, bullying, manipulation, or other disruptive action and abuse.
• Violations: Breach of applicable policies, rules and regulations that govern Chapter Volunteers’ activities.

As a Volunteer, you play a crucial role in advancing our Chapter’s mission and serving our members. To ensure a positive and productive environment, it's important to understand the impact of your contributions and to adopt the proper behavior in all circumstances. Volunteers shall also remain members in good standing of PMI Switzerland throughout their service.

Volunteers have a duty of care to uphold the values and mission of the Chapter and the expectations of the members they serve. They also have a duty of integrity by adhering to its standards, policies, guidelines, and other governing documents. Finally, they have a duty of loyalty by avoiding conflict of interest and placing the interests of the members and the Chapter above personal interests in their Volunteer role.

Volunteers should seek to represent the Chapter positively in all their interactions. Moreover punctuality, reliability, and a strong work ethic are expected. Volunteers should be proactive, taking thoughtful initiatives and demonstrating dedication to their tasks. Team Leads guide and assist Volunteers as appropriate, help them to grow both professionally and personally and shall lead by example.

Volunteers should manage their commitments and avoid overcommitting. This is best achieved through transparency and honesty. Additionally, Volunteers should not modify or deviate from established procedures without prior approval from their Team Lead, so as to ensure smooth operations and ultimately success of the Chapter's endeavors. On the other hand, with experience gains, Volunteers are welcome to recommend potential enhancements or changes.

Expected Behavior:

• Professionalism: Inform yourselves and uphold the Chapters values, ethics, and policies in all your activities, either as Team Lead or as Volunteer. Before making any commitment beyond standard procedures to anyone (sponsor, partner, speaker, Volunteer, member, etc.), consult with the responsible team to confirm feasibility and suitability.
• Trustworthiness: Consistently fulfill your assigned responsibilities. If your availability changes, promptly inform your Team Lead. Only accept tasks that you are confident you can complete. If unforeseen circumstances arise, provide advance notice, and ensure appropriate delegation, whether you are a Chapter Volunteer or a Team Lead.
• Honesty: Maintain open and honest communication with fellow Volunteers. Address any concern or issue promptly, responsibly, and constructively.

Inappropriate Behavior:

• Deception: Misuse of Chapter resources, hidden potential conflict of interest, behaviors designed to deceive others (misleading or false statements, half-truths, information out of context or withhold, etc.), and dishonest or illegal conduct are not tolerated
• Selfishness: Weak work ethics, lack of consideration for other Volunteers, inappropriate and non-constructive critique, accusations when not substantiated by facts are not acceptable.

Volunteers are the blood and the face of our organization, and this Volunteer Code of Conduct serves to protect everyone. Failure to respect this Volunteer Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary actions.

By adhering to these standards, Volunteers help uphold the organization's commitment to data privacy and security, to fruitful teams’ collaboration and to fostering trust, respect and integrity in all Volunteers’ activities and interactions. Thank you for your dedication and welcome to our vibrant community of PMI Switzerland Chapter Volunteers.

©PMI Switzerland Chapter, approved by the Chapter Board on 14th of June 2025