In effect, the core elements of professionalism are character, competence, commitment, and courtesy in client advocacy and community service where,
- Character equals moral traits and behaviors like integrity, morality, altruism, and service on behalf of the public good. It also includes adherence to the ethical standards of the profession, which primarily describe a set of core inter-connected values, which for volunteer management includes citizenship and philanthropy, respect, responsibility, compassion and generosity, justice and fairness, and trustworthiness.
- Competence is mastery over a unique and exclusive set of knowledge and skills that society allows you to use with its members through licensure or certification and ongoing professional development. Competence is what the client, customer, or volunteer expects from a professional volunteer manager. It means they have confidence in your knowledge, skills, and probably most importantly, your integrity.
- Commitment is a belief in serving others. It's also a belief in, or the internalization of the profession's philosophy and values. It represents the desire to serve the public good and advocate for the profession's role in facilitating civic engagement, societal improvement, and individual and collective rights.
- Courtesy in client advocacy and community service is that the achievement of an individual or collective goal does not occur at the expense of fairness, honesty, respect, and courtesy for others with whom you collaborate or supervise. Integral to respect and dignity is the practice of educating consumers, clients, customers or volunteers as a way to facilitate informed choice, communication with experts, and personal or professional growth.
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