WRSFV Main Administration
Phone:
604-820-8455
Fax:
604-820-8495
Email: admin@wrsfv.ca

The Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley Values

Feminist: We are a feminist organization working with women for the advancement of women. Our work is a sustained and organized effort to address the historic inequality between women and men. We recognize the systemic nature of oppression and power imbalances in all of their forms including class, white-privilege, language, culture, sexual orientation, age, ability, geography, position, and others. Our policy-governance structure incorporates opportunities to share power through democratic practices of shared leadership, decision-making, authority, and responsibility.

The values of the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley reflect our commitment to making the Fraser Valley better for women and their children. Each value applies to ourselves, each other, and our community.

WRSFV Values:

Trust, by having a firm belief and confidence in ourselves and in others.

1. We trust that people are acting with good will and with good purpose.

2. We behave in a trustworthy manner by acting in a direct and honest way.

3. We trust that others have the skills and abilities to fulfill their roles and responsibilities and can be relied on to assist us when needed.

4. We act with the confidence that we do the very best we can with what we know at the time.

Respect, by treating ourselves and others with regard and consideration.

1. We value women’s wisdom. We respect our life experience by recognizing that each experience is significant though it may not be conclusive.

2. We hold each other and all people in the highest regard, recognizing each person’s humanity.

3. We listen deeply, creating an atmosphere where all are comfortable to speak.

4. We provide opportunities for each person to be accountable for their choices and actions.

5. We value a mentally and emotionally safe work environment. We have zero tolerance for verbal, emotional, or physical abuse, including harassment, bullying, racial discrimination, and all other types of discrimination. 

Integrity, by striving for honesty, reliability, and moral soundness. 

1. We can be counted on to do what we say we are going to do. Whenever possible, we keep our commitments to others. We take responsibility for communicating when we are unable to meet a commitment.

2. We strive for congruency. Our words and actions are in agreement.

3. We own our actions and do our best to learn from them.

Choice, by recognizing, respecting, and acting on the power and opportunity to choose.

1. We work from a woman-centered, or client-centred, approach. We trust that a woman can make the best choice for herself with what she knows at the time. We assist others to seek out the best information possible, including any known consequences, to put them in the position to make informed choices.

2. We respect our own views and choices while respecting the views and choices of others.

Compassion, through kindness, care, and sensitivity.

1. We treat others with empathy, care, and respect.

2. We treat each other with the same empathy, care, and respect that we offer the women and children we work with.

3. We listen and act with empathy by standing beside each other in our search for solutions.

4. We believe in our ability to succeed through affirmation and practice.

Commitment, by being engaged, dedicated, and accepting of our obligations. 

1. While recognizing and addressing power imbalances, we accept responsibility for our individual roles and responsibilities, and respect the roles and responsibilities of others.

2. We have good work ethics, including giving our best efforts, establishing healthy boundaries, protecting the privacy of others, continuing our professional development, and liaising with community.  

Diversity, by respecting, accepting, and celebrating our individual and collective differences.

1. We are inclusive of age, language, culture, ability, sexuality, geography, religion, politics, class, education, and image, among others.

2. We continue to strive towards diversity and to address oppression in all areas of our mandate. We ensure that diversity is addressed in our hiring practices, committees, volunteer recruitment, and services.

3. We give ourselves permission to learn, and continue to learn and practice, diverse ways of being. We hold ourselves accountable for our unintended acts of exclusion. We understand and accept that we are part of, and are influenced by, the social structures that we want to change.

Communication that is clear and open.

1. We strive for access to accurate information. We use all available tools and processes to share and access information in a timely manner.

2. We take ownership for our assumptions and check them out by asking questions and initiating direct conversations.

3. We ask for information, clarification, and context when we find ourselves disturbed by what we hear or read.

Partnership, by working together.

1. We recognize that we are not working alone. We engage each other, other programs, and our community in our efforts to fulfill our mandate.

We recognize that our strength comes from engaging others and sharing our knowledge and resources. We are open to and with others.

WRSFV Programs and Services are funded by: The Province of British Columbia: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing and Social Development, Government of Canada: Status of Women Canada, Health Canada, United Way of the Fraser Valley, District of Mission, Mission/Abbotsford Soroptimist International, Business, Service and Faith Groups, Individuals and fundraising initiatives.