1) PURPOSE: Community Initiatives Against Family Violence (CIAFV) support the creation of a collaborative, coordinated, diverse, community response to family violence, strengthening our community’s capacity to advocate against, prevent and respond to family and intimate partner violence.

2) VISION: CIAFV supports Edmonton and Area communities to help families be safe and ultimately live free of family and intimate partner violence.

3) MISSION: Through innovative strategies, CIAFV supports a collaborative, coordinated, inclusive community response to strengthening our community’s capacity to take constructive action against family and intimate partner violence.

4) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Community Initiative Against Family Violence (CIAFV) works collaboratively to enhance prevention efforts, to provide information and training to its members and the public about family and intimate partner violence. CIAFV supports communities through the sharing of best practices and available local resources to support individuals and families impacted by violence.

5) CIAFV Members Code of Conduct: We believe that collaboration among the agencies/organizations, community, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders of CIAFV is essential to attaining our strategic goals. To create a strong collaborative atmosphere that is both positive and valued, CIAFV expects the following of its membership:

 5.1) Members will always act with fairness, integrity and openness; respect the opinions of others and treat all with equality and dignity without regard to gender, race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical and mental ability, marital status, or political option.

 5.2) When expressing an opinion, members will demonstrate respect for each other and maintain a sincere openness to differing viewpoints. Failure to do so will result in immediate removal from the council.

 5.3) Council of Service Providers Agreement to Membership: To this end, CIAFV’s Council of Service Providers commits to promote and sustain an environment that is respectful and responsive.

1. We hold that the success of our initiative depends upon:

- Guaranteeing mutual respect is demonstrated by all parties.
- Fostering involvement, trust, respect, and open communication.
- Ensuring that our members and stakeholders are informed and involved.
- We are committed to providing visionary leadership that is based on best practice research.
- We value the contribution of all members to accomplish our goals.
- We are financially responsible and accountable.

2. To achieve the above the Council will:

- Nurture diversity and demonstrate a commitment to collaborative inclusiveness.
- Engage stakeholders early in the process of planning projects and policy development that involves them.
- Consider and respond to input from stakeholders in a timely manner, respecting all perspectives and insights.
- Promote ongoing dialogue by maintaining strong working relationships with our diverse stakeholders.
- Respect and encourage participation by ensuring that our communications and processes are clear and understandable.
- Think creatively and plan wisely using an engagement process and techniques that best fit the goals of the project.
- Develop strategies to achieve identified outcomes.
- Respond to changing needs by renegotiating both strategies and outcomes.
- Coordinate our activities to make the best use of time and effort.
- Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of our efforts.