Oklahoma Association
of Community Action Agencies

2915 Classen Blvd.
Suite 215
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Phone:
(405) 524-4124
Fax:
(405) 524-4923

OKACAA Information

Community Action Code of Ethics

We as community action representatives, dedicate ourselves to eliminating 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 and dignity; and with respect for cultural diversity, commit ourselves to:

1. Recognizing that the chief function of the community action movement at all times is to serve the best interests of the poor thereby serving the best interests of all people.

2. Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up to date on emerging issues and to conduct ourselves with professional competence, fairness, impartiality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

3. Respect the structure and responsibilities of the board of directors, provide them with facts and advice as a basis for making policy decisions, and uphold and implement policies adopted by the board of directors.

4. Keep the community informed about issues affecting the poor, facilitate communication between the poor, locally elected public officials and the non-poor private sector.

5. Conduct our organizational and operational duties with positive leadership exemplified by open communication, creativity, dedication and compassion.

6. Exercise whatever discretionary authority we have under the law to promote the interests of the poor.

7. Serve the community action movement with respect, concern, courtesy and responsiveness, recognizing that service to the poor is beyond service to oneself.

8. Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fortitude in all our community action activities in order to inspire confidence and trust in the community action movement.

9. Serve in such a way that we do not realize undue personal gain from the performance of our professional duties.

10. Avoid any interest or activity which is in conflict with the conduct of official duties.

11. Respect and protect privileged information to which we have access in the course of official duties.

12. Strive for personal professional excellence and encourage the professional development of our associates and those seeking to become community action representatives.