Guidelines On Faith And Service

MEMORANDUM FROM:

Mohammad Akhter

TO:

InterAction Members

SUBJECT:

GUIDELINES ON SERVICE

Date:

January 1, 2006

In accordance with its mission, InterAction is committed to fostering the effectiveness and recognition of its members, both professionally and publicly, while setting standards of the highest ethics. In matters of service delivery, the InterAction Board of Directors requested that an ad hoc committee be established of both secular and faith-based member organizations to determine whether InterAction should have a standard or a guideline that would prohibit, limit or set parameters for proselytizing by faith-based member agencies. The Ad Hoc Committee met by conference call on July 28, 2005. It was unanimously agreed that members of InterAction should never proselytize or discriminate at point of service. Rather than establish a new PVO Standard, the Committee agreed that a set of guidelines should be developed that support compliance with existing PVO Standard 7.1.5: “A member’s programs shall respect the dignity, values, history, religion and culture of the people served” Draft guidelines were disseminated to the Ad Hoc Committee for review and comment. A revised draft was then reviewed by the Board of Directors on September 20, 2005. While there was debate, there was general agreement to adopt proposed guidelines 1, 2 and 3. Several Board members argued to remove proposed guideline #4 that would require a clear separation of staff delivering faith messages, from those delivering development assistance. Other argued as forcefully that this guideline should stand. Compromise language was subsequently proposed and is shared with members of the Ad Hoc Committee. Taking all views into account, the Standards/Membership Committee proposed compromise language for guideline #4 below. While strong views prevail on all sides, the Standards/Membership Committee urges all members affected by these guidelines to examine their organizational structures to assess whether and how they could meet the intent of guideline #4, by establishing clearer separation between their faith messages and service delivery. These guidelines were formally approved by the Board of Directors for adoption into the PVO Standards on December 6, 2005.

Guidelines to assist InterAction members in their compliance with PVO Standard 7.1.5: “A member’s programs shall respect the dignity, values, history, religion and culture of the people served”. A member should: 1. Adhere to a policy and practice of non-discrimination at point-of-service. The promise, delivery or distribution of assistance should be given according to the need of individuals, families and communities and will never be preconditioned on faith, administered in a coercive manner, or tied to the embrace or acceptance of a particular political or religious creed; 2. Adhere to, through normal practice, systems and deeds, clear institutional policies that demonstrate respect for and sensitivity to the religious traditions of the individuals, families and communities served; 3. Use good judgment, based on local realities, in the printing of religious text or the display of other forms of messages or symbols on aid packages; 4. Establish guidelines for the appropriate usage and balance of religious messages and or teachings in relief or development programs, to ensure that any message is non-coercive, culturally sensitive and respectful of the dignity, values, history, religion and culture of the people served.