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.
Copyright © 2020 WSHO - All Rights Reserved.