We are busy people, working in busy workplaces. It would not be an understatement to say that thousands of decisions are made daily in The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory. Often we make decisions without even realizing we are making them. This means we are not spending time reflecting on the rationale behind the decision or whether they align with our mission and core values.

To create the future that we want to experience in The Salvation Army, it is critical that we use healthy decision-making processes that are guided by our core values. 

Building a values-driven workplace requires that everyone understand how our core values factor into decision-making. Our core values should always be a consideration in decision-making, whether large or small. This includes decisions made in day-to-day operations as well as decisions regarding complex issues in the organization. Three aspects need to be managed in this regard:

(1) Providing employees/volunteers with tools for values-based decision-making,

(2) Ensuring that decisions at every level of the organization are made using values-based decision-making tools, and

(3) Ensuring that decisions and policies are communicated using language that refers to and supports our core values.

We have brought together three models for you to consider for your ministry unit:

1. The GLOVE Filter (adapted from ERC PLUS filter www.ethics.org/)
2. Framework for Ethical Decision Making (developed by The Ethics Centre)
3. Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System Values-Based Decision Making (adapted with permission)

• The GLOVE Filter
• Framework for Ethical Decision Making
• Sisters of Charity