Joining the Code

Membership

What’s involved in becoming a Code member?

Code Membership is open to all members of IDEA, both organisations and individual practitioners. Joining the Code involves a self-assessment process which members carry out and share with IDEA. Feedback on this process is provided to Code members.
There are three Compliance Commitments for Code embers:

Sign a Code Commitment form
Carry out the self-assessment process including developing an action plan to be shared with IDEA
Attend at least one Code network meeting annually

The Code journey also includes learning events and trainings, possibilities for networking and peer support, and a chance to celebrate and showcase good practice in Development Education.

Joining the Code

Code Members are both organisations and individual practitioners. Membership of the Code is open to all IDEA members. However, it is not a condition of membership.

Becoming a Code Member offers many benefits, including networking, peer learning, support opportunities, and the space to share your experiences as Development Education practitioners. IDEA’s membership is dynamic and diverse, carrying out Development Education in a wide range of contexts, and through a rich variety of approaches. Your Code Journey begins with your own good practice in Development Education.

To support your Code journey, we have developed a number of supporting materials:

An information leaflet on the Code: this folds out into a poster to display in your workplace.
A User Guide: this sets out the steps on the Code journey and what support you can avail of from IDEA and the membership. It also includes a Glossary of terminology associated with Development Education and the Code
A Self-Assessment Workbook: this workbook must be completed by all Code members. It is set out as a tool to be completed for each principle along with an action plan template. It includes guidance on how to complete the self-assessment. The workbook can be edited in PDF format and – along with your action plan – should be sent to IDEA: code@ideaonline.ie within 3 months of signing up to the Code.
Code Commitment form: this is the document that members should sign to join the Code. For organisations, it must be signed by the CEO. Code membership must be renewed annually be resigning this form.
Background notes on each principle of the Code (coming soon)

These documents are also available to IDEA members in hard copy by contacting us

How to find out more?

Contact IDEA about the Code to find out how to become a member and what learning and support mechanisms are provided: code@ideaonline.ie

Feedback from users of the Code

During 2018, the Code was piloted by a number of IDEA members. They shared their perspectives on the usefulness of the Code.

‘The Code acts as a 'critical friend'. It’s a voyage of discovery - it opens the box to critical thinking and the Principles and Code really help do this’
(Emma Lynch, Tearfund)

‘The Code helped us to reflect on work we were already doing. It supported us with a lens through which to look at our training provision’
(Dervla King, Comhlámh)

‘The Code, like the Dóchas Code on Images and Messages, or the Comhlámh Code on Volunteering, will be a core document for the sector and encourage best practice for years to come.’
(Michael Doorly, Concern )

‘On reflection the content of the Code has enabled very positive reflection on our practice. It’s a really good attempt to put together the many elements of DE in a structured way.’
(Bobby McCormack, Development Perspectives)

Downloads

To support your Code journey, we have developed a number of supporting materials: