Volunteer Code of Conduct
Every clause that follows — promises to volunteers, expectations of conduct, anti-harassment rules, conflict-of-interest rules, safeguarding, discipline —…
Read this chapter in the interactive reader, or download the full 601-page manifesto (PDF).
The People’s Model
Volunteer Code of Conduct — v1.0
What we expect from volunteers, and what they should expect from us.
0. Founding principle — the moral test for every clause below
Every clause that follows — promises to volunteers, expectations of conduct, anti-harassment rules, conflict-of-interest rules, safeguarding, discipline — is grounded in this single idea. We do not believe in power. We believe in responsibilities. Every role in this party, including the most senior, is a responsibility owed to citizens and to fellow volunteers. The Code applies the same to everyone because no role carries privileged power, only responsibility weighted differently. Full statement in Party Operating Principles addendum, Sec. P.0.
0.1 The Oath Boundary — what this Code binds, and when
This Code binds party members up to the day they take the oath of office as an elected representative. From that day forward, the elected representative is a public office-holder, bound by the ethics, disclosure and anti-interference commitments set out in: the Governance Autonomy Charter, the Anti-Interference Log, and the Transfer & Posting Board rules (all in Vol III Ch 20). The party Code of Conduct ceases to apply to them in the role of representative; party direction on government matters is structurally blocked. Members who never hold elected office remain bound by this Code in full, indefinitely.
Operational meaning of the Oath Boundary for the party: (1) we do not feature elected representatives in our publicity, rallies, posters, or fundraising material; (2) we stay loyal to citizens, not to our own incumbents; (3) when a representative we helped elect fails to deliver, we publicly support the 30-month recall (Vol III Ch 19) and become opposition to our own representative; (4) we develop the next cohort of candidates, never depending on incumbency for party identity. Full statement in Party Operating Principles addendum, Sec. P.6.
Graduated by tier. The Oath Boundary’s strictness scales with office. Tier 1 (MP, MLA, MLC, Cabinet, Mayor of major city): FULL separation — Code suspended for the rep in their role as representative; government conduct rules take over. Tier 2 (Corporator, Zilla Panchayat, Taluka Panchayat, Mayor of small city): MODIFIED — rep stays bound by this Code for community work, recused from party processes touching ward funds. Tier 3 (Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat member): EMBEDDED — same Code applies in full because the rep is community-and-party throughout. The Candidate Accountability Agreement (Party Operating Principles addendum P.6.7) is the legal instrument that gives the Oath Boundary teeth at every tier.
Manifesto Execution + Course-Correction Protocol. For elected representatives bound by this Code: execute the manifesto. Course corrections require consultation with the relevant Policy & Accountability Council and written party consent before implementation, with the consent decision published on the party portal within 7 days. Unilateral deviation from manifesto is a breach of the Candidate Accountability Agreement and a recall trigger. Full protocol in Party Operating Principles addendum, Sec. P.8.
1. Scope
This Code applies to every TPM volunteer in every role, at every TPM event, on every TPM platform (App, website, social, in-person). Acceptance is a precondition of volunteering, captured at sign-up.
This Code is a working v1.0 — it should be reviewed by an HR / employment-law advisor before formal adoption, and adapted as needed for state-specific requirements.
2. Our promise to volunteers
Your time is finite and valuable. We will not over-schedule you.
Your role is documented before you start; you know what you signed up for.
You will receive training before any unsupervised work.
You will have a named coordinator who replies to messages.
You will be paid for out-of-pocket expenses (travel, materials) per the reimbursement policy.
We will recognise your contribution publicly — only with your consent.
You can pause or leave at any time without explanation; you will receive a reference letter on request.
Concerns you raise are taken seriously, with whistleblower protection.
3. What we expect from you
3.1 Respect & dignity
Treat every resident, volunteer, officer, member of the public with respect and dignity.
No harassment, intimidation, or discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, language, region, or appearance.
No language or imagery that mocks, demeans, or stereotypes any community.
3.2 Brand voice & political speech
When representing TPM publicly, use the brand voice: plain, confident, specific. No personal political messaging in TPM channels.
Outside TPM channels, you are free to hold and express your own political views. Don’t claim those are TPM positions.
3.3 Money & favours
Never solicit personal payments, gifts, donations to yourself, or favours from residents under any circumstance.
Never offer or transfer cash / kind to residents in exchange for membership, votes, or any action.
Reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses are paid through the formal reimbursement process; never settled in cash directly with residents.
3.4 Conflicts of interest
Declare at sign-up: employer, family business interests, party affiliations (current and past), elected positions held by you or immediate family.
Update declarations within 30 days of change.
Recuse yourself from roles where your declared interests overlap with the role’s subject (e.g. you cannot be a Red-Flag Monitor for a contract awarded to your family business).
3.5 Data & privacy
Any resident data you encounter through TPM is confidential per the Citizen Data Trust framework. Do not share, copy, store on personal devices, or post on social media.
Treat case files and grievance content as if they were medical records.
Report any suspected data breach within 24 hours to your DVC and the safeguarding contact.
3.6 On-duty identification
Wear visible identification (lanyard, vest, App-shown ID) when on-duty at events or PSCs.
Do not impersonate officers or claim authority you do not have.
3.7 Safety
Do not put yourself at physical risk. If a situation feels unsafe, withdraw and report.
If you witness a safeguarding incident (especially involving children, elderly, or other vulnerable people), follow the safeguarding-incident pathway in Sec. 5.
4. Anti-harassment policy
Harassment includes but is not limited to:
Unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct based on any protected ground (Sec. 3.1).
Sexual harassment in any form — verbal, visual, physical, online.
Bullying, intimidation, threats, or retaliation against anyone for raising a concern.
Stalking — online or offline.
Karnataka follows the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). TPM treats every event, kiosk, and platform as a workplace for the purposes of POSH compliance. An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is constituted at the state level and at each district that hosts more than a defined minimum of regular volunteer activity.
5. Reporting & response
5.1 How to raise a concern
Talk to your DVC first — most concerns resolve at this level.
If the concern is about your DVC: escalate to the State Volunteer Lead.
If the concern is about harassment: contact the ICC directly. Use the confidential channel published at /about/safeguarding/.
If you need legal-aid: TPM provides legal support to volunteers and complainants per the published policy.
5.2 Response timelines
6. Consequences
Minor breach (first offence, no harm) — coaching by DVC.
Repeated minor breach — written warning + role reassignment + retraining.
Material breach (harassment, financial misconduct, data breach) — immediate suspension during investigation; permanent exit on finding of guilt.
Criminal conduct — TPM cooperates with law-enforcement to the extent legally required, while preserving the dignity and safety of any complainant.
Every consequence is appealable through the District-level Volunteer Appeals Committee (3 rotating members; decision within 30 days).
7. Acknowledgement
By signing up as a TPM volunteer, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and will follow this Code of Conduct. Your sign-up record carries the acknowledgement timestamp and the version of the Code in force.
Current version: v1.0, cycle c0626. The Code is reviewed annually and revised as the organisation grows or as policy / statutory requirements change.
Concern type — Response within
Routine (role mis-match, expense issue, scheduling) — ≤ 72 hours by DVC
Conduct concern (non-harassment) — ≤ 7 days first response by DVC or escalation
Harassment / safeguarding — ≤ 24 hours acknowledgment by ICC; investigation begins within 7 days
Imminent harm — Immediate — call 112 + safeguarding contact
This is a chapter of The People's Model manifesto for Karnataka — published in full for public review. Every claim may be challenged: write to [email protected].