Last updated November 2026.
Volunteers are an important part of the National Amateur Radio Alliance and play a direct role in how NARA serves its members, supports clubs, and represents amateur radio.
As a NARA volunteer, you are trusted to represent the organization professionally, treat others with respect, protect the information entrusted to you, and act in the best interests of NARA and the amateur radio community.
This Code describes the standards we expect. The rules behind them — privacy, communications, youth protection, safety, fundraising, conflicts of interest, systems, complaints, corrective action, club relations and expenses — are set out in the Volunteer Policy Manual.
Represent NARA professionally
When acting on behalf of NARA, volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, courteous, and responsible manner.
Volunteers should accurately represent NARA, its mission, programs, policies, and positions and should not present personal opinions as official positions of the organization.
A NARA title represents a responsibility to serve. It does not provide authority over members, clubs, other volunteers, or amateur radio operators.
Do not speak for NARA on regulatory, legal, financial, or press matters unless doing so is specifically part of your role. Questions or requests involving these matters should be referred to the appropriate NARA leadership or the Board of Directors.
Treat others with respect
NARA volunteers are expected to treat members, fellow volunteers, club leaders, partner organizations, and members of the public with dignity and respect.
Disagreement is a normal part of a national membership organization. Disagree with the idea, not the person. If a conversation stops being productive or useful, step out of it and seek assistance when necessary.
Personal attacks, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, threats, or intentionally disruptive behavior are not acceptable while representing NARA.
NARA volunteers should not disparage other amateur radio organizations. There is room for more than one voice in amateur radio, and many NARA members also belong to and support other organizations. We can explain what makes NARA different without diminishing the work of others.
Serve the amateur radio community
Volunteers should approach their work with a service mindset.
Our responsibility is to listen, identify needs, provide assistance when possible, connect people with useful resources, and communicate unmet needs within the organization.
When working with amateur radio clubs, volunteers should respect each club’s independence, leadership, traditions, and decisions. NARA is there to support clubs, not manage them.
Volunteers should look for opportunities to build relationships and cooperation throughout the amateur radio community, including with organizations and individuals outside NARA.
Be reliable and accountable
Volunteers should make reasonable efforts to fulfill the responsibilities they accept, communicate when they need assistance, and follow through on commitments.
Mistakes happen. Volunteers are expected to acknowledge them, work to correct them, and seek guidance when they are uncertain about how to proceed.
If circumstances prevent a volunteer from continuing in a role, we ask that they communicate with their NARA leadership so responsibilities can be transitioned appropriately.
Protect member and organizational information
Volunteers may have access to member information, club records, internal communications, CRM records, or other information that is not intended for public distribution. Access to this information is provided only for legitimate NARA purposes.
Do not share member email addresses, telephone numbers, mailing addresses, or other personal information unnecessarily. This includes providing information to an amateur radio club or another NARA member simply because they ask for it.
Do not screenshot, photograph, forward, post, download, or otherwise distribute private member records or information from NARA systems unless specifically authorized and necessary to perform an assigned responsibility.
NARA information must not be used for personal, commercial, political, or unrelated organizational purposes.
Information entered into NARA systems should be factual, relevant, professional, and limited to what is reasonably necessary to conduct NARA business.
A good rule when entering information into the CRM is to write every note as though the member may eventually read it.
Avoid conflicts of interest
Volunteers should place NARA’s interests ahead of personal interests when performing NARA responsibilities.
Any actual or potential conflict involving a business, financial interest, another organization, family relationship, or other personal interest should be disclosed to the appropriate NARA leader.
Having outside interests or affiliations does not necessarily create a conflict. Transparency is expected whenever those interests could reasonably affect a volunteer’s NARA responsibilities.
Volunteers must not use their NARA position, access, relationships, or information to obtain an inappropriate personal or commercial benefit.
Fundraising, sponsorships and sales
Volunteers may not solicit donations, sponsorships, grants, merchandise sales, advertising, or other financial support in NARA’s name without authorization.
Volunteers should not enter into agreements, make financial commitments, promise sponsorship benefits, or represent that NARA has approved a financial arrangement unless they have been specifically authorized to do so.
Questions involving donations, sponsorships, purchases, contracts, or other financial matters should be referred to the appropriate NARA leadership.
Use NARA resources responsibly
NARA accounts, databases, email addresses, credentials, documents, logos, equipment, membership information, and other resources are provided for authorized NARA activities.
Volunteers should safeguard these resources and must not provide access to unauthorized individuals.
NARA’s name, logo, volunteer titles, and other organizational identifiers should not be used to imply NARA sponsorship, endorsement, partnership, or approval without authorization.
Access to NARA systems should be limited to what is necessary to perform your assigned responsibilities.
Communicate responsibly
Volunteers should use good judgment when communicating by email, social media, online forums, radio, private messaging, or in person while representing NARA.
Only individuals authorized to speak for the organization may issue official statements, establish organizational positions, respond to the media, or represent NARA on regulatory, legal, or financial matters.
Volunteers are free to express their own opinions as individuals, but they should make a reasonable distinction between their personal views and official NARA positions.
When you are unsure whether you are authorized to answer a question on behalf of NARA, refer it rather than guess or speak beyond your role.
Safety and lawfulness
The safety of our volunteers, members, and the public comes before any NARA activity.
Volunteers are expected to follow FCC rules and Part 97 at all times when operating amateur radio on behalf of NARA and to comply with applicable laws while participating in NARA activities.
When attending club meetings, hamfests, conventions, schools, emergency exercises, or other public events, volunteers must also follow the reasonable rules and safety requirements established by the host organization or facility.
If you observe an unsafe situation, stop the activity when appropriate and raise the concern. No event, demonstration, contact, or organizational objective is more important than safety.
Protect young people
NARA volunteers involved with youth activities have an additional responsibility to maintain appropriate boundaries and help provide a safe environment.
A volunteer should never intentionally be alone one-to-one with a minor during a NARA activity or engage in private one-to-one electronic messaging with a minor as part of NARA activities.
Whenever possible, communications involving youth should include a parent, guardian, another authorized adult, or take place through an appropriate group communication channel.
Volunteers must also follow the youth protection requirements of schools, clubs, event organizers, facilities, and other host organizations when participating in their activities.
Any concern involving the safety or welfare of a young person should be reported immediately through the appropriate channels and, when required, to the proper authorities.
Follow NARA policies and applicable rules
Volunteers are expected to follow NARA policies and procedures applicable to their responsibilities as well as applicable laws and regulations.
No volunteer is expected to know the answer to every question or handle every situation independently.
When you are uncertain about a policy, procedure, request, or situation, ask before acting.
Raise concerns
Volunteers are encouraged to raise concerns involving suspected misconduct, misuse of NARA resources, inappropriate access to member information, safety issues, harassment, conflicts of interest, unethical conduct, or other serious concerns.
Concerns may be raised with your coordinator, your state or regional representative, or any member of the NARA Board of Directors. Concerns may also be sent to reports@usnara.org.
Concerns will be handled as discreetly as the circumstances and facts reasonably allow.
NARA does not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith or participates honestly in the review of a concern.
Good faith reporting should never be used to retaliate against, embarrass, harass, or settle personal disagreements with another individual.
Our commitment to one another
NARA is built largely through the time, knowledge, and commitment of people who choose to volunteer.
We expect high standards from those who represent the organization, but volunteers should also expect clear direction, appropriate training, useful resources, responsive leadership, and support when they need assistance.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is not to create unnecessary rules. It establishes a common standard for how we work together, represent NARA, and serve the amateur radio community.
Listen. Help. Communicate. Follow through.
By serving as a NARA volunteer, each of us shares responsibility for protecting the trust that our members, clubs, partners, and the amateur radio community place in the National Amateur Radio Alliance.
Volunteer acknowledgment
I have read and understand the National Amateur Radio Alliance Volunteer Code of Conduct. I agree to conduct myself in accordance with these expectations while serving as a NARA volunteer.
I understand that serious or repeated violations of this Code or other applicable NARA policies may result in the limitation, suspension, or termination of my volunteer responsibilities.
Volunteers make this acknowledgment at the end of volunteer onboarding, and it is kept with their completion record.