Computerbank Charter

Acknowledgements: The Computerbank Charter is authored by Patricia Fraser and Kylie Davies and was developed in consultation with the Computerbank community. The Computerbank Charter was created on the 14/02/2001 and was last revised on the 20/02/2001.

This charter is intended as an overview of the core values and policies of our organisation. For more in-depth information, please consult our Policy Manual for the full text of our Constitution and our full Policy Statements. These documents are also accessible at Computerbank Victoria's Internet site.

Computerbank Core Values

Our core values are partly encapsulated in our Statement of Purposes:

Statement of Purpose

The Organisation is established to:

• Promote and encourage Computer Literacy throughout the community;
• Enable technological access to all;
• Oganise such functions as deemed necessary to promote the aims of the organisation;
• Form strategic partnerships with Organisations or Associations which have compatible objectives; and
• Undertake promotional and fund-raising activities as required from time to time to achieve these objectives

Underlying these purposes are our beliefs that:

• A community is strongest when all its members are able to contribute;
• The digital divide excludes a large proportion of the community from an important area of work, communication and information access;
• People should not be prevented from accessing computers and the benefits they bring because of economic disadvantage;
• Free Software, because of its availability for study and use, allows people with computers to share in the benefits of technology to the fullest extent possible.

Computerbank Policies

In order to achieve our aims in ways that are consistent with our beliefs, we have formulated a set of policies to govern the way we operate. The full text of these policies is available elsewhere; these points are given as a guide.

Recipients, Volunteers, Members and Paid Staff

All the people who come in contact with Computerbank are important to us, to themselves and to the greater society to which we belong. Our policies are formulated to underline our value for these people, and to ensure that our operations are carried out in a way that promotes that value.

Each person has rights, responsibilities and needs in the context of our operations, and our policies should always strive to support all the people involved in each of these areas.

Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct is formulated and reviewed from time to time to assist us in creating a fulfilling, motivating place to work together, and to form a friendly and supportive team.

• Privacy
  We will each respect the privacy of others; recipients, volunteers, members and staff. No personal details of any person will be given out without permission from that person and the Committee of Management.
• Respect for Others
  We will each respect all those we come into contact with, whether we are representing the organisation or working together. No form of harassment or discrimination will be tolerated; Computerbank people are worthy of the best treatment, from and for each other.
• Grievances
  Where any person feels they have been wrongly treated, the organisation will act promptly to examine the circumstances fairly and impartially, and work hard to rectify procedures and situations.
• Security
  Computerbank values the possessions of all the people who come through its doors, as we value the computers and equipment donated to us by generous people and companies. We expect honesty from each other, and will view very seriously any threat to personal belongings or to donated equipment. Procedures are in place to deal with any such situation arising; secure storage for personal belongings is available.

Health and Safety

The people of Computerbank care for the health and safety of all workers and recipients, and are committed to maintaining a safe working environment and promoting the health of all people connected with our operations.

• OH&S officer
  Computerbank has an OH&S officer, who will oversee safe work practices and be available to assist new people at their inductions.
• Induction process
  To help people to join the team, learn their way around the building and the current processes, Computerbank will hold regular Induction Days, which will include several forms of training.
• Ongoing training
  Ongoing training in the use and handling of all equipment is a feature of working with Computerbank. This may be in formal classes or one-on-one assistance from an experienced person.
• Fire Safety
  Computerbank has a full fire safety procedure, and all new people will be walked through it as part of the induction process. The Fire Safety Officer will ensure that any changes to the procedure are well known by everyone.

Providing Feedback, Initiating change and Raising ideas

Computerbank appreciates feedback and development input from its members, volunteers, service users and others. Suggestions and ideas should be raised using appropriate avenues. These can include:

• General meetings
• Committee meetings
• Sub-Committee meetings

Suggestions and feedback can be scheduled or raised for discussion at meetings. Suggestion box and feedback forms can be used to facilitate this process. Members, volunteers, service users and others are encouraged to use these to record their suggestions and feedback. Suggestions received will be reviewed and discussed at committee meetings on a monthly or as needed basis

Mailing lists associated with the Computerbank project can also be used to facilitate discussion, contribute suggestions or feedback. More information is available on the Computerbank website.

The Computerbank Charter has been prepared by Patricia Fraser and Kylie Davies. The Computerbank Charter was created on the 14th of February 2001 and was last revised on the 20/02/2001.

Ensuring Community and ongoing Collaborative Development

To ensure the continued success of our program all members, volunteers, service users and others should remain committed to the core values enshrined within Computerbank policies and within the Computerbank Charter.