Code of Commitments.. read more..

Please note: for simplicity and consistency, the word “practitioner” will be used to describe all those offering classes, workshops, healing sessions, therapies, trainings, etc. The word “participant” will be used to describe those receiving or attending a class or session. 

PART I: COMMITMENTS:

OUR PURPOSE AS PRACTITIONERS:

• To enhance the well being of the participant
• To help participants develop their capacities as conscious collaborators in their own evolution

OUR VALUES:

• Service- Practitioners elevate service to others above their own self-interest; pro bono service is expected to some extent, and no Aurovilian or Newcomer will be turned away because of inability to contribute financially

• Dignity and inherent worth of each individual- Practitioners treat participants with care and respect, mindful of cultural, ethnic and gender differences
• Integrity- Practitioners work from a basis of trust, honesty, high ethical standards, transparency and professional competence

Commitments to self

Practitioners:

• are aware of their need for their own self-care and seek support when needed
• commit to ongoing education and self-development

Commitments to clients

Practitioners:

• accurately represent their education and training, and the purpose, limits and scope of the treatment or modality
• do not provide medical diagnosis or prescriptions unless properly trained and credentialed; nor do they promise cures 
• are aware of “roles”- i.e. the inherent vulnerability of the participant role and the (often unconscious) projections of power on the practitioner role

• use “informed consent” for all procedures, including touch
• support the self-determination of the participant and his/her right to refuse, modify or terminate sessions at any time, regardless of prior consent given

• assume full responsibility for setting and maintaining clear, appropriate and culturally sensitive boundaries, taking all necessary steps to protect participants and avoiding all sexual innuendo (verbal or energetic) and sexual contact

• safeguard the confidentiality of all participant information (unless disclosure is authorized by written consent of participant, required by law, or there is indication that the participant poses a clear and imminent danger to self or others)
• terminate services responsibly (e.g. give participant advance notice whenever possible; transfer to another practitioner when necessary)

To larger collective

Practitioners:

• cooperate with Vérité procedures and collaborate with staff
• maintain a smoke, drug, and alcohol-free atmosphere
• inform appropriate working groups if a participant poses a danger to self or others
• agree to participate in Vérité’s support process if they have a grievance related to their work in Vérité, or in case a concern about their work is raised

PART II: SUPPORT PROCESS

The Vérité programming team agrees that all concerns or complaints will be handled with an attitude of care and support for both the participant and the practitioner, and with the highest aspiration for fairness. Vérité’s commitment is to the protection of the participant and Auroville, with appropriate support for the practitioner as a primary concern. We seek to maximize the potential for learning, growth, healing and transformation through careful processing of these issues

• Concerns/complaints must be in writing, including all relevant data (dates of sessions, nature of the issue, etc.) and submitted to the Vérité programming group within 14 days of the incident.

• Vérité staff will meet separately with (and maintain the confidentiality of) both the participant and the practitioner; joint meetings will be scheduled when deemed appropriate and acceptable to both parties. All parties have the option to ask a support person of their choice to attend these meetings.

• Teachers and/or other practitioners of the particular modality shall be consulted whenever possible. 

• After careful review, Vérité staff will make recommendations to the practitioner and communicate those recommendations to the participant. 

• Under certain circumstances, practitioners may be asked to suspend or stop practice, and/or to seek professional guidance and support. If legal violations are deemed to have occurred, or there is a threat of legal action, referral will be made to appropriate working groups in AV.

• In cases where the participant is deemed to have an invalid complaint, Vérité staff will inform the participant and, if necessary, the appropriate working groups in AV.

• Vérité staff will make every effort to come to full consensus on their recommendations. When this is not possible, an extra support person will be brought in to assist. If, after this, consensus is still not achievable, the majority viewpoint will prevail