Awake Code of Ethics
This Code of Ethics applies to all directors, officers, leadership team members, staff, and high-access volunteers of Awake Ltd, referred to collectively as “leaders” throughout this document. (High-access volunteer roles are defined as those that allow direct, one-on-one contact with individual abuse survivors.) All leaders must read and consent to this Code of Ethics annually.
Awake’s mission is to awaken our community to the full reality of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, work for transformation, and foster healing for all who have been wounded. Awake is a single-issue organization focused only on this mission.
Awake leaders commit themselves to advancing this mission and conducting themselves according to Awake’s core values:
Compassionate - We are a community of kindness and empathy that believes in the inherent dignity and value of every person. Our work is about people more than issues, so we seek to be truly present to one another, offering accompaniment, support, and love, especially to those who are suffering.
Survivor Centered - While valuing the perspectives of all, we prioritize the needs, stories, and wisdom of those who have experienced sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. We honor the diversity of these individuals and seek to create a trauma-informed community where victims, survivors, copers, and thrivers feel safe, valued, and empowered.
Faithful - Awake’s leaders are grounded in the Catholic faith, rooted in prayer, and committed to working from within the Church as members of the Body of Christ. We seek to be faithful to the call of the Gospel and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, while respecting and including those who are on a different spiritual path.
Welcoming - We bring together people from diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We have a special concern for those whose voices are often neglected in these conversations, and we hope to create a community where all can experience true belonging.
Humble - We are a listening community, walking together on a journey of continual growth. We know we don’t have all the answers and that we will make mistakes along the way, so we remain open to learning and adapting.
Courageous - We are determined to face difficult realities, speak hard truths, and take meaningful risks, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. We are not afraid to place ourselves on the prophetic edge and stand in radical solidarity with survivors.
Hopeful - While moving through darkness and pain, we choose to ground ourselves in hope, celebrate progress, and resist the temptation to cynicism or despair. We trust that God is at work and believe that transformation and healing are possible.
Safeguarding
Purpose: To protect the safety, well-being, and privacy of all members of the Awake community, with special concern for those who have experienced sexual abuse by Catholic leaders
Awake does not tolerate any form of abuse - including sexual, emotional, spiritual, or psychological abuse - or any behavior involving grooming, manipulation, harassment, or coercion. The safety of each person in our community always takes precedence over protecting the reputation of the organization or its leaders.
Awake recognizes that all adults can be vulnerable to abuse, particularly when they have past experiences of trauma and are seeking support from an organization like Awake. Leaders and volunteers are expected to recognize the inherent power differential between themselves and those they serve, and to uphold appropriate boundaries with those engaged in Awake’s programs.
All candidates for leadership must successfully complete a criminal background check at the expense of Awake prior to beginning this role. The decision about whether any information from a background check disqualifies someone for service will be made by agreement of the board chair and executive director. This background check will be renewed every three years.
It is imperative that privacy is maintained for all people involved with Awake, especially those who have experienced abuse. Awake leaders may only share the names, photos, identifying information, or stories of survivors if the survivor has consented to make this information public by contributing to the Awake blog, speaking at an Awake event, releasing this information in another public forum, or giving specific permission to share.
Awake is an adult-serving organization and does not serve minors. Minors are only permitted at Awake’s public events under the direct and ongoing supervision of their parent or guardian; no other adult should ever be alone with a minor in these situations. Awake is not equipped and therefore unable to serve those with cognitive or intellectual disabilities that impair the person’s ability to make informed decisions about their care.
Awake leaders are expected to sign Awake’s “Letter to Survivors” to publicly demonstrate their commitment to survivors.
Awake leaders are required to submit confirmation that they have viewed Praesidium’s training video, Unique Dynamics for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adult Populations, within 10 days of beginning their role or within 3 weeks of passage of this policy, and before beginning any direct, one-on-one contact with survivors. This training focuses on what each person can do to ensure Awake is a safe community for all, including information about power differentials, community grooming, the risks of adult abuse in organizational settings, various forms of abuse and coercion, and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Conflict or Duality of Interest
Purpose: To ensure Awake leaders act in the best interest of the organization when involved in decision-making for the organization
Awake recognizes that all Awake leaders have diverse personal, professional, and financial interests, some of which may be related to the mission of Awake. To protect the integrity and reputation of the organization, leaders must disclose all interests or relationships which may influence the way they carry out their responsibilities and create either a real or perceived conflict or duality of interest.
Having these interests or relationships on record allows for greater transparency and accountability for all leaders, even if the interests or relationships do not interfere with the leader’s decision-making.
This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations. In order to maintain its federal tax exempt status as a charitable organization, Awake must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.
All Awake leaders will complete an annual Relationship and Interest Disclosure form by listing:
Their employer(s) and the employer(s) of any household member
Any businesses owned or controlled by themselves or any household member
Churches, dioceses, religious orders, and non-profit organizations they are involved with in a volunteer capacity
Any other direct financial relationships (indicated by IRS Form W-2, 1099 or equivalent income report) or representation of an entity whose work might conflict or interact with the work of Awake
Financial interests that may be impacted by Awake’s financial transactions or arrangements
These lists should include current interests and relationships, as well as any that have taken place in the last 12 months. If at any time during the year, the information in the annual disclosure changes in a way that may have a bearing on Awake’s work, the leader will disclose this change to the governance committee and revise the annual disclosure form.
The governance committee of the board of directors will review these disclosure forms and discuss any areas of concern. For identified potential conflicts of interests, the governance committee will review with the submitter the potential conflict of interest and document the discussion, including any steps the submitter agrees to avoid the potential conflict.
If an issue or discussion arises in which a leader thinks they may have a real or perceived conflict or duality of interest, it is their responsibility to raise this matter to the attention of either the executive director or board chair before the decision. They may choose to recuse themselves from the decision, explain why they feel able to remain part of the decision, or ask the group for guidance about their participation. If another member of the group has a concern about this person remaining involved in the decision, they should raise this concern and the group will decide whether a conflict of interest exists. If a conflict of interest exists, the person will leave the meeting during any discussion of the matter impacted by this conflict and the nature of this conflict of interest will be noted in the written minutes of the meeting.
External Communications
Purpose: To ensure clear and consistent communications with the public about Awake’s work and protect the reputation of the organization
The executive director, associate director, and board chair are the official spokespeople for Awake. They may also delegate others to speak on behalf of Awake in limited circumstances, with content and materials approved by the person delegating.
While other Awake leaders are encouraged to speak about the mission of Awake with their own connections and networks, their communications should not purport to speak on behalf of the entire organization but instead on their own behalf as an individual involved with the organization.
All Awake leaders should be mindful of their conduct in public spaces, including in person, online, and on social media. Because the behavior of any individual leader could be seen to reflect on the integrity of the organization, leaders should strive to behave in accordance with Awake’s mission and values.
Awake is a single-issue organization, focused specifically on sexual abuse by Catholic leaders. When engaging in conversations about Awake, leaders should refrain from bringing in other political or ecclesial issues.
Violations of the Code of Ethics
If any person has reason to believe that an Awake leader has acted in violation of any part of this code of ethics, they are encouraged to report this concern using the process outlined on the Awake website. Leaders who have signed this Code of Ethics have a duty to make such a report. Concerns about behaviors by Awake leaders that may constitute a crime should first be reported to appropriate civil authorities.
An Awake staff or board member will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and explain the steps that will be taken to resolve it, along with the expected timeline for a response, within 7 days of receipt of the complaint. No person who in good faith reports concerns or possible violations of this policy shall suffer harassment, retaliation, or adverse consequences to their employment or volunteer role.
Any breach of this code of ethics may result in consequences or disciplinary action, up to and including removal from a volunteer position or termination of employment.