Ethics & Protocol

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WSHO PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

PROTOCOL

Prologue

The World Spiritual Health Organization (WSHO) is committed to sustain the

highest standards of professional and ethical conduct as individual spiritual

practitioners and as an organization.

WSHO is grounded in the guiding principle of ‘Character first, Competence

always.’ We maintain one without the other is hypocrisy and Phariseeism.

Therefore, both personal character and professional competence are sine

qua non to effective ministry and optimum clinical pastoral outcomes.

Professional Honor Code

WSHO members and trainees affirm and commit to diligently abide by the

standards and responsibilities outlined in the WSHO Professional Honor

Code:

“As a professional member or trainee of the World Spiritual Health

Organization; I will serve my God and the people of the world whom I

encounter with honor and character, professional excellence and competent

compassion, respect and moral courage, humility and accountability.

I will faithfully exercise the WSHO mission regarding spiritual health,

wherein wherever I find spirituality is present, I will nourish and sustain it.

Where I find it is dormant, I will seek to revive it. And where I find

spirituality is absent, I will creatively, and with moral courage and prudence,

boldly strive to invite it.

I will abide by the laws of the land where I live, viz,

confidentiality/HIPPA, the ethical standards of my given profession, and by

the professional expectations and standards of the World Spiritual Health

Organization.

I will consistently maintain my professional credibility and credentials

through regular accountability for my ministry and through continuing

education for my personal growth and professional development.

I affirm my commitment to being an upstanding, competent, and

faithful spiritual care provider as well as a professional member in “good

standing” and ambassador of the World Spiritual Health Organization. To be

dutiful and loyal, responsible and honorable, respectful and hospitable to

others, to abide by these standards and expectations to which I have

committed.”

Member’s Signature Date

Accountability

Members will provide an annual written stewardship report of their ministry

and continuing education consistent with the level of their certification

credential. (WSHO Form: Annual Re-certification Renewal Report). This

annual report includes reaffirmation of the members’ sustained commitment

to abide by WSHO’s Professional Honor Code and ethical standards and

expectations.

Ethics Complaint Protocol

The guiding principles in adjudicating ethic complaints shall be fairness,

honesty and “the presumption of innocence” until proven guilty. The

member who is the subject of the complaint will be afforded full opportunity

to provide both written and in-person rebuttal of the complaint.

Any breach, or suspected breach, of WSHO’s Professional Honor Code, ethics

and expectations will be conducted as directed in this protocol.

1. The complainant: shall provide a written explanation of the alleged

breach in ethical conduct. This statement should include the precise

nature of the complaint, where it occurred, when it occurred, who was

involved and/or witnessed the alleged misconduct, etc. The

complainant will provide this written complaint to the WSHO Chapter

Leader of the accused member.

2. Chapter Leader: shall upon receiving an official complaint

immediately launch a review of the complaint to determine if it has

merit. The Chapter leader will also immediately provide notice either

verbally or email, to the Director of Professional Ethics about the

complaint. The Chapter Leader should make every effort to resolve the

matter at the chapter level. If this is not possible, the Chapter Leader

will provide the WSHO Director of Professional Ethics with a full

account of the complaint and his/her efforts unsuccessful efforts to

resolve the matter.

3. WSHO Director of Professional Ethics: shall investigate all aspects

of the complaint by reviewing the findings from the Chapter Leader

and also interviewing the complainant, the accused, and any

witnesses. The Director of Professional Ethics has the following three

tasks to accomplish within 30 days of receiving a formal ethics

complaint:

 to conduct and complete a thorough investigation

 to provide a formal report of his/her findings to WSHO

Executive Leadership

 to provide his/her recommendation to WSHO Executive

 Leadership

If deemed necessary, the WSHO Director of Professional Ethics is

authorized to “deputize” no more than two senior members to assist

him/her in providing a fair and complete investigation of the

complaint.

4. Executive Review: WSHO Executive Leadership will review all the

findings connected to the complaint and will seriously consider the

corrective recommendations provided by all parties involved. Any and

all corrective actions to be taken are only authorized at the WSHO

Executive Leadership level. Chapter Leaders and the Director of

Professional Ethics must receive prior approval of any remedial actions

against a member.

Authorized Corrective Actions

 Dismissal: the case is considered without merit and standing

 Verbal Censure: from Chapter leader and/or Director of

Professional Ethics

 Written Censure: From the Director of Professional Ethics

 Probation and Mentoring: for a time-period designated by the

Executive Review Board---typically from a minimum of 3

three months up to a maximum of 12 months

 Revocation of Credential: permanent removal and invalidation

of professional credential. This action can only be taken by

WSHO Executive Leadership.

5. Appeal Process: If either the complainant or the subject of the

complaint is not satisfied with the findings, the recommendation of the

chapter leader and/or Director of Professional Ethics, and/or the

outcome of the case he/she can request an appeal which must be

made in writing and sent directly to the President of WSHO for review

and final determination.