I was putting the finishing touches on my website prior to launch and while cleaning up my links around the Code of Ethics, I was surprised to find out that my IVAA membership is null and void! You now have to pay membership fees!

Nevertheless I have a Code of Ethics from IVAA with their link (which I abide as stated in other posts) on my homepage. Now that technically I am not a member, how should one stress a Code of Ethics until I regain full membership? A potential customer will not absorb nor necessarily buy into the Code of Ethics unless they read it in detail. In fact one potential client of mine really took interest in delving further into my website because I stated right off the bat the Code.

OK, enough rambling. Let the debate begin.

Lisa

I don't see membership as a prerequisite to following/posting their ethics. You can still be a Christian and live by the guiding principles without belonging to a specific church. 'nuff said.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I agree with Lily, and don't see anything on their site that says you have to pay membership dues to post their code of ethics.
I find it very interesting that they are now charging for membership...but that's another post.

Truthfully, I think in any and all cases it's a good idea to *write your own* code of anything, definition of what is a VA, etc. simply because you are an independent entity and as such would do well to have your own language/tone/ideals/philosophies articulated rather than someone else's. That's just me, and isn't to say the code of ethics you currently use is 'bad', etc.

Have you considered writing up your own code?

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I have considered.

Grasshopper must center in within herself and ponder these great mysteries. Then hit Word 2007...

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Lisa George
Remote Admin Services
Web:http://remoteadminservices.com
Blog:http://remoteadminservices.wordpress.com

I think it goes to prove your ethics.. as a VA.. Being from the IVAA only further promotes you!! I would continue using it!!

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Winslow Girl Virtual Assistant
www.winslowgirlva.com
Taking Virtual Assistance to the Next Level

OK, after some serious thought, for now the IVAA Ethics statement will remain. In the meantime, I will compose my own ethics statement to use as a back-up in the event that IVAA comes back to say, 'hey you did not pay your dues!' It will be paid when I start sending out the invoices to my clients.

Either way, this website will launch on time!

Thanks for the input, everyone.

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Lisa George
Remote Admin Services
Web:http://remoteadminservices.com
Blog:http://remoteadminservices.wordpress.com

I think your website is very nice...and I love your website name! Bravo!

On the other hand,

By using the the IVAA Code of Ethics on your website, you are in essence saying you are a member in good standing with the organization. As a result, if a client wanted to file a complaint about your services, they could do so through the organization and request a hearing of their claim. If you were found at fault they could attempt to adjudicate the issue, and if the claim could not amicably be resolved, IVAA could resend your membership.

Besides setting ethical standards & serving as a barameter, the "Code" gives the client/prospect a sense of protection, because he can go through this process.

I believe it is unethical, if you are not a member or your membership has expired, to knowingly post or keep the Code on a VA's site, as the individual will not be held accountable for adhering to it, and it could lead to the client having a negative impression of the organizaton, since they are unable to enforce the code on a non-member. (Please do not take this as a personal attack on anyone, just my general view regarding ethical responsibility)

Of course, if you don't know the purpose of the code and what you agree to when joining and utilizing it, that's a different story -- but as a member (prior and/or recent) this is one of its purposes. As an IVAA member as well as a member of this forum, I feel it is my responsibility to share my knowledge about what it stands for and how it can be used.

I hope this helps,

Sharon, those are all good points.
I was under the impression their code was available on the site for 'reprint' as long as it was linked back - however, upon checking, I can see that's not the case. I've never associated with the group nor have I posted their material on any of my sites, so wasn't totally familiar with this particular piece of text. I must have chalked it up to all the other VA 'tenets' so many sites offer for posting as long as a linkback is provided.

Interesting that there's a 'governing body' with 'hearings' and the like. Do members vote on who the 'judges' are, the outcome of any claim, etc?

In any case, I still recommend my initial and previous suggestion to write your own code

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Actually Tess,

The IVAA is set up like an association, with an elected Board of Directors, bylaws, and dues paying members, etc. The Ethics Committee is one of its committees, appointed by the President. Relative to the entire organization's membership voting on a decision, I can't respond to that -- it is probably unlikely, but there is a process -- it's final steps I don't recall.

I hope this answers your questions.