Servas Oaths
From SI Exco News
Contents |
Public Oaths
Background on Servas Oaths In November, 2004 all of EXCO signed oaths drafted by Julie Dotsch, Grant Barnes and others. (Thank you!)
There are three main groupings: 1) Information Protection; 2) Confidentiality; 3) Commitment to office; 4) Conflict of Interest
No signed oath replaces pure trust among officers, nor their loyalty to Servas goals nor their good judgement in the use of Servas resources and their responsibility to the Public Good.
Nevertheless Oaths do help remind people of their duty. They help put in words what people feel and know to be right.
Texts of each of the documents is also posted at [www.servasforum.org] where you can edit, possibly improve, and readily adapt these oaths to your specific purposes. Translations would be welcome, too!
Gary Sealey, SI Peace Secretary
INFORMATION PROTECTION STATEMENT: SERVAS INTERNATIONAL
1.1 All officers of Servas International understand that all personal data concerning Servas hosts and travelers are protected under European Union law, including the Privacy directive, the law of Switzerland, and the laws of the hosts' and travelers' own country. Even if the individual does not reside in Europe, the European laws apply.
1.2 The transfer, or sharing, of any personal data to individuals, business entities, organizations, or to websites outside Servas International is not permitted by law without the express, written permission of each Servas related person where personal data is maintained by Servas International. These data include current and non-current host lists. Such transfer also includes paper-based documents as well as any electronic means used (such as e-mail, or access to the WHALE database via internet).
1.3 All officers of Servas International including people involved in the management of the host lists may be subject to legal process or prosecution in their capacity of individuals under European Union law for transfer of personal data not authorized in accordance with 1.2 above, or the misuse of such data. Servas International as a body may also be subject to possible process and prosecution.
Paris, Nov 2004
SERVAS OATH OF COMMITMENT
I will exercise the duties and responsibilities of my position in Servas with integrity, collegiality and care.
Oath: I pledge:
1. To attend all meetings to which I am invited, on time, or to resign after three absences. 2. To prepare myself, having read the agenda and relevant background materials. 3. To work cooperatively with and respect the opinions of my peers. 4. To represent Servas in a positive manner at all times and in all places. 5. To always act for the good of Servas and its members now and for the future. 6. To avoid conflicts of interest between my position in Servas and my personal life. If such conflict arises, I will declare that conflict and refrain from voting on matters in which I have a conflict. 7. To support in a positive manner all actions taken by the General Assembly and Committees including EXCO even when I am in a minority position on such actions. 8. To adhere to the Oaths of Office and the Statutes and by-laws of Servas. 9. To help develop myself or others as future leaders in Servas. If for any reason, I find myself unable to carry out the above duties to the best of my abilities, I agree to resign my position.
(signed by all members of EXCO, Paris, November 2004. ________________________________ Signature Date
SERVAS OATH ON CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Conflict of Interest: a conflict between the personal interests of Servas Officers/Staff/Volunteers and acting on their roles and responsibilities to Servas.
Guidelines:
1. Every Servas Officer/Staff/Volunteer shall act in the best interest of Servas, its goals and statutes free from the influence of any interest conflicting with their role in Servas.
2. No Servas Officer/Staff/Volunteer or their families may directly or indirectly gain or benefit financially or otherwise from a decision of Servas. 3. In the event of a conflict or a perceived conflict, the member shall declare the conflict and shall not take part in the consideration of the decision. 4. If a Servas Officer/Staff/Volunteer finds personal objection to Servas policies/ philosophies, that objection should be declared to the immediate group. That person may be excused from a small part of the job or if the objection is large be excused from continuing in a Servas position. Oath:
I, ______________________________ pledge to be attentive to the possibility of a conflict of interest. I will declare any such conflict and will remove myself from the discussion or even the position as is warranted. (Signed by all members of EXCO, Paris, November 2004) _____________________________ ____________________________ Signature Date
SERVAS OATH OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Guidelines
Any [personal] information obtained by Servas Officers/Staff/Volunteers shall be handled in strict confidence. Personal information shall be shared only on a 'need to know' basis, and with the persons' written permission.
Oath: I pledge to keep personal matters about Servas members confidential and to respect the privacy of Servas. (a version of this document was signed by all Members of EXCO in Paris, November, 2004) ___________________________ ___________________________ Signature Date
