Values, attitudes & working principles in the digital world

Introduction

Voluntary organizations live core values and live them out in clear attitudes and principles.

In order to be prepared for the digital future, voluntary organizations need to think about how to make their values livable in the digital world and also take responsibility for this transformation process.

This page aims to support voluntary organizations in making their values livable in attitudes and principles in the digital world.

Starting with a definition of values, attitudes and principles, central values lived by voluntary organizations are translated into attitudes and summarized in principles on how they can be brought to life in digital work.

Conceptualisations

In order to be able to discuss the manifestations of values, attitudes and principles, there needs to be a common understanding of what is meant by them. For this purpose, the framework was established through a common definition.

VALUES
(What do you beleive in?)

Values are those ideas that are generally recognized as desirable in a society and give people orientation. A distinction is made between:

moral (honesty, justice, loyalty),
religious (fear of God, love of one’s neighbor),
political (tolerance, freedom, equality),
aesthetic (art, beauty),
material values (wealth),
family values and corporate values.

ATTITUDES
(Who you are? How you act)

Attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors toward a particular object, person, thing, or event

How do you feel and think about something or someone?
What do you believe in?
How do you act?

PRINCIPLES
(How you do it?)

A „Principle“ is simply a fundamental rule used to influence action on the part of an individual:

How do you do things?
How you apply your principles in practice?
How do you make values and principles liveable?

Values that are relevant to volunteering

In a multi-stage process, experts for volunteering have compiled decisive values that are relevant in the area of impact and that are also important in the digitalisation of work in volunteering or its services.

Following VALUES are important for volunteer organisations we identified usually:

ETHICS

Ethics

Ethics is the science of the practised morals or basic social values of a society. Translated to voluntary organisation, ethics defines what is perceived or evaluated as morally right or wrong.

Attitudes

Ethical action becomes visible in the areas in which organisations are active, what are their goals, how they act and communicate, and what attitudes they adopt towards socio-political issues.

Dealing with people
Dealing with socio-political phenomena
Actions in volunteer organisations

Principles

- - - - Charta
      - Participation in socio-political debates
      - Advocacy for target group you are working for
      - Be a role model
      - Address violations/injuries
      - Show attitude in everyday life

Implementation in digital work

- - - - Presence in social media
        
        React in social media
        
        handling sensitive data

PARTICIPATION

Participation

Participation is to be part of something or becoming involved in something.

Attitudes

Involvement Fairness

Teamwork

Equality

Co-determination

Inclusion

Accessibility

Principles

Use methods and tools beneficiaries have access
establish connectivity to your target groups
Flat hierarchies
Co-design and involvement in projects
Ask questions, involve and perceive needs
Involve people in designing settings
Actively addressing people at meetings or events
Asking people for their opinion
Choose tools that everyone can use
Use different methods to enable participation with different resources
Have an accessible and inclusive webpage
Make sure that the group size is appropriate, depending on the tasks to be done

Implementation in digital work

Check the availability of possible media in advance
Only use media that the target group also uses
Build participatory opportunities into digital settings (break out rooms, enquiry)
Online moderation that ensures good participation
Choose tools that everyone can use
Use different methods to enable participation with different resources
Have an accessible and inclusive webpage
Groups of no more than 20 in online seminars and meetings to ensure participation
No overloading with too much information
Note that on-line formats have a shorter attention span than face-to-face formats – i.e. shorter units
Don’t forget the breaks

FAIRNESS

Fairness

Fairness is the quality of treating people equally or in a way that is right or reasonable.

Attitudes

Justice

Empathy

Honesty

Transparency

Respect

Trustfulness

Not embarrass anybody

Principles

- Social media post according to the attitudes (implementation)
- Communication (power of language)
- Ensure equal participation
- No judging of people
- Not to embarrass anyone
- Pay attention to balanced speaking times
- Highlighting injustice – raise your voice
- Show understanding
- Focus on consensus and not compromise

Implementation in digital work

Mindfulness when posting on social media
Communication (power of language)
Make sure that everyone is listening at on-line meetings (and not doing other things on the side).
Ensure equal participation in discussion processes through good online moderation.
Pay attention to balanced speaking times also during on-line meetings
Use on-line voting tools only for final decisions, but not for opinion processes.

INCLUSION

Inclusion

Inclusion is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.

Attitudes

Compassion

Empathy

Cooperativeness

Openness

Warmth in communication

Tolerance for ambiguity

Vigilance/attention

Making differences/diversity visible

Principles

Inclusive application forms that contain more options for possibly sensitive questions (gender, origin) and including open answer/other/prefer not to say
Mentioning behavior/language use „rules“ in order to avoid verbal offences (no cyberbullying/no harassment online) – acting responsible to maintain a safe space online; giving space to everyone to express opinions
Establish connectivity with the target group
Make sure that the offer can be used barrier-free
Take cultural differences into account and do not justice them
Making people aware of prejudices and addressing them
Use language or wording that is accessible to the participants.

Implementation in digital work

Using inclusive language in email communication in order to avoid discrimination & to promote equality (dear applicant/participant)
Establish barrier-free website
Show people with disabilities as a beneficiary or as a volunteer.
Preparing inclusive Online-Trainings

ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility

Accessibility is the fact of being able to be reached, participate or obtained easily.

Attitudes

Simplicity

Overcoming language barriers

Creativity

Quality

Structure

Manageability

Principles

Don’t use the most complicated terms if there are also simpler words to use
Use different methods and tools, but stick to just a few and don’t use an abundance
Have meetings/ seminars that are easy to follow along
Be connectable to the target group in reaching the target group, in the design of activities, in the implementation of events
Ask questions if everybody is understanding

Implementation in digital work

Have an easily accessible webpage in simple language and that is easy to navigate
Use few digital tools that are easy to use
Use tools that are available free of charge
Use tools and methods that take into account the upload/download speeds of the participants
Note that pdf documents are mostly not editable – use document formats that are editable by all, if desired.
Use OER (open educational resource) capable materials

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility

Responsibility is the duty to act correctly in relation to the established role or what was agreed/assumed.

Attitudes

Correctness

Respect for others and for work

Maturity

Honesty

Rightness

Balance

Accountability

Principles

Respecting privacy/GDPR
Asking for permission for photo/video
Mentioning the purpose of certain data collection (for statistical reasons, for communication in the project, etc)
Dissemination/promotion of events/actions on dedi-cated platforms to reach a wider audience (this also works on being inclusive)
Mentioning behavior/language use „rules“ in order to avoid verbal offences (no cyberbullying/no harassment online) – acting responsibly to maintain a safe space online; giving space to everyone to express opinions

Implementation in digital work

Do not automatically put photos online
Using social media consciously and responsibly
Only record/digitally log online meetings if everyone has given their consent.
Always pass on well-researched information

NON-DISCRIMINATION

Non-Discrimination

Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.

Attitudes

Equality of people

Enforcement of basic human rights

Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms

Principles

All EU citizens have the right to receive information about digital volunteering offers
All EU citizens have the right to request or refuse volunteer services and products
Different treatment of different groups on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation is prohibited
We treat all those interested in volunteering equally

Implementation in digital work

All EU citizens have the right to receive information about digital volunteering offers
All EU citizens have the right to request or refuse volunteer services and products
Different treatment of different groups based on sex, race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation is prohibited
We treat all those interested in volunteering equally
The chosen tools in the digital world should be appropriate, accessible, variable and motivating for all groups

DIVERSITY

Diversity

The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different ages, religion, genders, sexual orientations, able bodies and disabled

Attitudes

Tolerance

Openness

The desire to know more

Open-mindedness

Openness

Tolerance

Acceptence

Positivity

Participation

Inclusion

Principles

Depicting diversity in (promotional) visual materials – if using images with people, to show a variety of genders, skin color, etc
Using bi-lingual or appropriate languages for target groups
In calls for action, courses, etc., openness to diversity should be directly specified
Online materials and websites should be created in a manner that denotes diversity
Hire/ have a diverse team/group of volunteers and also have diverse partners/collaborators and show them on your web site and on your social media
Stand up against discriminatory and hateful posts on your social media
listen to your team members and learn from them
make your webpage accessible for as many people as possible

Implementation in digital work

Online materials and websites should be created in a manner that denotes diversity – language, pictures, …
Stand up against discriminatory and hateful posts on your social media
Make your webpage accessible for as many people as possible
Provide digital tools to facilitate work in and with heterogeneous groups.

EASE

Ease

Ease means effortlessness and carefreeness.

Attitudes

Easiness

Mildness

Effortlessness

Open mind

Flexibility

Error culture

Principles

Pay attention to language in direct and indirect communication
Use simple tools that everyone can use
Use a language that is understood by others
Do not overload meetings with presentations
Follow principle: structure follows strategy – be fexible how you work and work with people
Have fun
Celebrate successes
Be open to criticism and suggestions
excited to try out new things
excited to try out new things
allow mistakes and see them as a chance to change something
Trust people to do things

Implementation in digital work

- Establish digital coffee breaks
- Promote digital community
- Explain the use of digital tools and give it a try
- Difficulties with online meetings are normal, take them for granted
- Be supportive in using digital tools
- Always allow feedback and questions
- Use microlearning – knowledge in small bites!

KINDNESS

Kindness

Kindness is an appreciative and kind behavior of a person.

Attitudes

Charity

Friendliness

Politeness

Care

Interest

Principles

Always answer or reply to messages
Self-reflection
Pay attention to gestures and facial expressions
Greeting at the beginning of events
Asking if there are any outstanding questions or needs
Addressing people directly by name
Ensure a pleasant atmosphere
Giving an overview of the status or what is expected or planned
Provide summaries

Implementation in digital work

Online materials and websites should be created in a manner that denotes diversity – language, pictures, …
Stand up against discriminatory and hateful posts on your social media
Make your webpage accessible for as many people as possible
Provide digital tools to facilitate work in and with heterogeneous groups.

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