Volunteer Code of Conduct

1. Purpose of the Code

Veterans India is a national, apolitical and patriotic movement working to convert patriotism into disciplined, organised and visible national service. Volunteers are the face, strength and energy of this mission.

This Code of Conduct ensures that all volunteers work with dignity, discipline, honesty, respect and responsibility while participating in Veterans India activities.

To maintain discipline and unity among volunteers
To protect the apolitical and patriotic character of Veterans India
To ensure respectful behaviour with citizens, veterans, students, institutions and partners
To prevent misuse of name, logo, flag, platform or authority
To promote transparent, ethical and lawful volunteering
To strengthen public trust in Veterans India

2. Core Values for Volunteers

Every volunteer of Veterans India shall follow the core values of the organisation.

Nation First: Put national interest above personal interest.
Service Before Self: Work with humility and dedication.
Discipline: Follow instructions, timing, protocol and organisational structure.
Integrity: Be honest in communication, reporting, fund handling and public work.
Respect: Respect veterans, citizens, students, women, seniors, differently abled persons and all communities.
Apolitical Conduct: Keep Veterans India activities free from party politics.
Unity: Promote national unity, social harmony and responsible citizenship.

A Veterans India volunteer must always remember: discipline creates trust, trust creates teamwork and teamwork creates national impact.

3. General Conduct

Volunteers must conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the dignity of Veterans India and the spirit of national service.

Be polite, respectful and professional in all interactions
Follow instructions given by authorised office bearers and coordinators
Attend activities on time and complete assigned responsibilities
Maintain personal discipline, cleanliness and appropriate dress code during events
Use decent language in public, online and internal communication
Do not create unnecessary arguments, disputes or groupism
Do not misrepresent facts, authority, position or organisational decisions
Do not make false claims in the name of Veterans India

4. Apolitical Character

Veterans India is an apolitical patriotic organisation. Volunteers must ensure that the platform is not used for political promotion, party agenda or partisan activity.

Do not use Veterans India name, logo, flag or events for political campaign
Do not display political banners, party symbols or political slogans in official activities
Do not invite political controversy into Veterans India programmes
Do not make political statements while officially representing Veterans India
Do not use official WhatsApp groups or social media pages for political debate

Patriotism must unite. Politics may divide. Veterans India volunteers must always protect the unity and apolitical dignity of the organisation.

5. Respect for National Symbols

Volunteers must show the highest respect to the National Flag, National Anthem, Constitution of India, Armed Forces, martyrs, veterans and national institutions.

Follow proper National Flag protocol during all activities
Do not misuse, mishandle or disrespect the National Flag
Maintain dignity during National Anthem, patriotic programmes and tribute ceremonies
Do not use national symbols in any improper, commercial or disrespectful manner
Promote constitutional values, unity and responsible citizenship

6. Behaviour with Veterans, Citizens & Institutions

Volunteers must maintain respectful and service-oriented behaviour with all stakeholders.

Respect veterans, serving personnel, war widows, dependents and families
Behave respectfully with students, teachers, HEIs, corporates, PSUs and partners
Support citizens with humility and dignity
Do not insult, threaten, pressure or harass anyone
Do not use caste, religion, region, language, gender or political identity to divide people
Promote harmony, inclusion and national integration

7. Communication & Social Media Conduct

Volunteers should use social media responsibly while promoting Veterans India activities, VPRF, Sankalp, events and campaigns.

Share only verified and approved information
Do not post abusive, defamatory, misleading or divisive content
Do not make unauthorised announcements in the name of Veterans India
Do not misuse official photos, videos, certificates or documents
Do not spread rumours or unverified claims
Use respectful language in WhatsApp groups, emails and public posts
Do not engage in online fights using the name of Veterans India

Every social media post by a volunteer should increase trust, discipline, patriotism and public confidence in Veterans India.

8. Use of Veterans India Name, Logo & Identity

The name, logo, flag, identity, certificate, digital card, official letterhead and branding of Veterans India must be used responsibly and only for approved purposes.

Do not create unauthorised groups, pages, websites or fundraising campaigns
Do not print ID cards, certificates, banners or visiting cards without approval
Do not use the logo for personal business, political work or private promotion
Do not claim any post, title or authority unless officially appointed
Do not alter the logo, flag or official identity in an unauthorised manner

9. Fundraising & Financial Conduct

Volunteers must follow strict transparency and authorisation in any donation, sponsorship, CSR or fundraising-related activity.

Do not collect money in the name of Veterans India without written approval
Do not ask donors to transfer funds to personal bank accounts
All donations must be routed through official and traceable channels
Do not promise unauthorised benefits, certificates, awards or positions in exchange for money
Submit complete records, receipts and details for approved collections
Follow Donation Policy and Financial Management Policy of Veterans India

No volunteer is authorised to collect funds personally unless specifically permitted by competent authority.

10. Event & Field Activity Discipline

During events, Sankalp activities, VPRF mobilisation, camps, runs, workshops and field programmes, volunteers must follow discipline and assigned responsibilities.

Report on time and follow event instructions
Wear appropriate dress, ID card or volunteer badge if provided
Maintain crowd discipline, safety and dignity
Do not create chaos, arguments or unauthorised announcements
Respect event guests, speakers, institutions and participants
Do not misuse microphone, stage, banner or official platform
Help maintain cleanliness and public order at the venue

11. Sankalp & VPRF Conduct

Volunteers participating in Sankalp or VPRF activities must follow the official SOP and dignity of the initiative.

Daily Sankalp may be conducted for 30 minutes between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM
Sunday Common Sankalp / Rashtra Seva Sankalp should be held from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM at a fixed common location
At the Sankalp place, only National Flag and Veterans India flag should be used
No political banner, personal banner, separate logo, donation banner or divisive material should be used
Follow National Flag protocol and maintain discipline at the venue
Do not create a separate organisation or parallel leadership in the name of Sankalp or VPRF

12. Confidentiality & Data Protection

Volunteers may come across personal data of members, donors, interns, students, institutions, veterans or beneficiaries. Such data must be handled carefully.

Do not share personal data without authorisation
Do not misuse phone numbers, email IDs, addresses, ID cards or certificates
Do not sell or transfer data to any third party
Use data only for approved organisational work
Respect privacy of beneficiaries, veterans, women, children and vulnerable persons
Follow the Privacy Policy of Veterans India

13. Conflict of Interest

Volunteers must avoid any conflict between personal interest and organisational responsibility.

Do not use Veterans India platform for personal business promotion
Do not use volunteer position to obtain personal advantage
Disclose any personal, family or business interest in vendor or partnership decisions
Do not influence organisational decisions for private benefit
Do not divert opportunities, donors, institutions or partners for personal gain

14. Non-Discrimination & Inclusion

Veterans India believes in national unity and inclusive participation. Volunteers must treat everyone with dignity and fairness.

No discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, language, region, gender, disability, age or economic background
Encourage participation of students, youth, women, citizens, veterans, NRIs and OCIs
Support vulnerable and disadvantaged communities with respect
Do not use abusive, insulting or humiliating language
Promote harmony, equality and responsible citizenship

15. Prohibited Conduct

The following actions are strictly prohibited for volunteers:

Misuse of Veterans India name, logo, flag, documents or platform
Unauthorised fundraising or personal collection of money
Political use of organisation platform
Harassment, abuse, threats, discrimination or misconduct
Spreading false information or damaging organisation reputation
Fraudulent claims, fake membership, fake certificates or fake appointments
Misuse of donor, member, volunteer or beneficiary data
Alcohol, drugs or disorderly behaviour during official activities
Any unlawful, unethical or anti-national activity

16. Reporting Misconduct

Any volunteer, member, citizen, donor, institution or stakeholder may report misconduct, misuse, fraud, harassment or violation of this Code to the authorised Veterans India team.

Report with facts, date, place and supporting details where possible
Do not spread allegations publicly without giving organisation opportunity to review
Complaints may be reviewed by competent authority or authorised committee
Confidentiality may be maintained where appropriate and possible

17. Disciplinary Action

Violation of this Code of Conduct may lead to appropriate action depending on the seriousness of the issue.

Verbal or written warning
Removal from WhatsApp group, committee or activity role
Suspension from volunteer responsibility
Cancellation of appointment, ID card, certificate or volunteer status
Restriction from representing Veterans India
Legal action in serious cases involving fraud, misuse, harassment or unlawful activity

Disciplinary action is not punishment for honest mistakes; it is protection of the mission, dignity and public trust of Veterans India.

18. Volunteer Oath & Commitment

Every volunteer should carry the spirit of national service in thought, word and action.

I commit to serve Bharat through Veterans India with discipline, integrity, respect and patriotism. I will protect the apolitical character of the organisation, uphold national dignity, follow lawful instructions and work for responsible citizenship, youth empowerment, veteran welfare and nation-building.

19. Volunteer Responsibility Framework

Volunteers are expected to contribute positively in the areas assigned to them and support the organisation’s expansion at national, state, district, block and panchayat level.

Patriotism

Promote national pride, unity and responsible citizenship.

Discipline

Follow structure, timing, instructions and organisational SOPs.

Service

Serve citizens, students, veterans and society with humility.

Integrity

Maintain honesty in communication, reporting and public work.

20. Contact for Volunteer Conduct Queries

For clarification, complaint, misconduct reporting or volunteer conduct-related queries, please contact Veterans India through official communication channels.

Email: info@veteransindia.com
Website: www.veteransindia.com
Purpose: Volunteer conduct, misconduct reporting, clarification, support and organisational discipline

21. Policy Review & Update

Veterans India may review, modify or update this Volunteer Code of Conduct from time to time based on organisational requirements, field experience, legal needs, governance decisions or volunteer feedback.

The updated Code shall be effective from the date of publication on the official website.