We, as Community Action professionals, dedicate ourselves to eliminating poverty in the midst of plenty in this nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training; the opportunity for work; and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity; and with respect for cultural diversity, commit ourselves to:

• Recognize that the chief function of the community action movement at all times is to serve the best interests of the poor, thereby serving the best interests of all people.
   
• Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up to date on emerging issues and to conduct ourselves with professional competence, fairness, impartiality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
   
• Respect the structure and responsibilities of the board of directors, provide them with facts and advice as a basis for their making policy decisions, and uphold and implement policies adopted by the board of directors.
   
• Keep the community informed about issues affecting the poor; facilitate communication by the poor with locally elected public officials and the private sector.
   
• Conduct our organizational and operational duties with positive leadership exemplified by open communication, creativity, dedication, and compassion.
  
  
•  Exercise whatever discretionary authority we have under the law to promote the interest of the poor.
   
•  Lead the community action movement with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness, recognizing that service to the poor is beyond service to oneself.
   
• Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty, and fortitude in all our community action activities in order to inspire confidence and trust in the community action movement.
   
• Serve in such a way that we do not realize undue personal gain from the performance of our professional duties.
   
• Avoid any interest or activity that is in conflict with the conduct of official duties.
   
• Respect and protect privileged information to which we have access in the course of official duties.
   
• Strive for professional excellence and encourage the professional development of our associates, including those seeking to become certified community action professionals.