We foster a culture where people feel included, valued and respected; we promote and create spaces where people can thrive. In partnership with our members and stakeholders, we constantly seek ways to enhance the planning profession and, through our collective efforts, inspire others to join us in creating a more equitable environment for all.

We are the bridge between planners, the public, political influencers and key stakeholders. This requires us to be approachable, friendly and professional. We are engaged, relevant, credible and build relationships based on trust, respect and transparency. We are effective communicators to all our audiences.

We champion the planning profession and nurture a community where we share expertise, research, and knowledge. Consistently forward-thinking and always authentic, we inspire, lead, support and protect the profession and all our members globally. We are equally passionate about educating the public and informing debate regarding the important role planners play in our society.

We are passionate about supporting planners throughout their careers as a fundamental part of who we are as a membership organisation. We believe that investing in our growth and development is essential to achieving our mission of providing high-quality services that meet the needs of our members and stakeholders. It's crucial for us to stay up to date with the latest trends, technologies and best practices.

At the RTPI equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our values and objectives. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment and freedom from discrimination in our employment, volunteering, and the services we provide.

All of our members, volunteers and employees have a right to be treated with dignity and respect and the RTPI will not tolerate any behaviour that is contrary to this. We expect volunteers to respect national, regional, ethnic and cultural differences and comply with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

The purpose of the Dignity at Work policy is to ensure that we maintain a culture in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect and can fulfil their true potential. It gives examples of behaviours that are unacceptable and are regarded as harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, or victimisation, and the steps that the Institute would take to address this behaviour should it ever occur.

We are committed to maintaining a safe working environment for everyone. Staff and volunteers are expected to take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions. A few key points to consider are:

• If you are visiting an RTPI office, please ensure you familiarise yourself with the emergency evacuation procedure for the office.
• All our offices have qualified first aiders present. If you have an accident at one of our offices, please contact reception (at Botolph Lane) or the Office Manager (at RTPI Scotland/RTPI Cymru) for assistance and to complete an accident report.
• Volunteers should take reasonable care when travelling to and from volunteering duties, particularly if travelling in the early morning or late evening. Volunteers whose role involves aspects of “lone working” e.g., visiting sites to conduct surveys, should take care of their own personal safety, act in a professional manner at all times and ensure that site owners are given reasonable notice of their visit in advance.
• Some roles or tasks might have a risk assessment associated with it which your key contact will make you aware of. If you have concerns regarding your safety when volunteering, please speak with your key contact who will undertake a risk assessment and discuss with you any appropriate actions to mitigate or eliminate risks.

It is unlikely that you will be holding personal information in your volunteering role, but it is important that you are aware of what constitutes personal data and the legal requirements around this, should there be an occasion when you come into contact with handling personal data.

Personal data includes names, contact details, date of birth and any other information from which the individual can be identified, whether stored electronically or in paper-based filing systems. 

Personal data must be processed in accordance with the seven key GDPR principles. It must be:

• Processed fairly, lawfully and transparently
• Processed only for specified particular purposes
• Adequate, relevant and not excessive
• Accurate and, kept up to date
• Kept for no longer than necessary
• Kept securely
• The RTPI is accountable for the data it holds and how it complies with all principles.

Members are protected whilst actively volunteering for the RTPI, if you are acting in accordance with your role description and the volunteer handbook. And as agreed with your key contact. The RTPI has 2 types of insurance:

• Public Liability Insurance provides cover to RTPI volunteers who are injured or involved in an accident whilst volunteering for the Institute. This insurance does not cover volunteer journeys from home to the volunteering venue or damage to the volunteer’s own vehicle so volunteers should check to ensure they have their own adequate insurance cover for this.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance provides cover to RTPI volunteers for claims arising from loss or injury caused by services provided negligently or without reasonable care by its employees or registered volunteers e.g., such loss might arise from a volunteer giving misleading or inaccurate advice.

The RTPI indemnifies Chartered and Legal Members for the professional advice they give to clients. Only Chartered Members volunteering for the RTPI are covered to give professional planning advice to RTPI clients.

Volunteers must adhere to the guidelines set out in this document and report any matter to us that may affect the Institute’s Professional Indemnity Insurance. Failure to comply with guidelines or notify the Institute may render this insurance cover invalid.

RTPI appreciates the time and talent spent on its activities by volunteers, members of the Institute, staff, and trustees. In supporting the activities, expenses will be incurred which the Institute is pleased to reimburse. Included in Our Climate Action Plan is a commitment to reduce emissions resulting from travel. To support this, please think carefully about travel and the alternatives, to reduce the emissions it causes.

All expense claims are made online using ExpenseIn. Further details on the policy and how to claim can be found on the volunteer resources page of the website.

We hope that the experience of volunteering at the RTPI will be a positive one, however there may be occasions that either volunteers have a concern that they want to raise, or that others have a concern about a volunteer that will need to be addressed. The purpose of this procedure is to outline how we will seek to resolve any problems arising and wherever possible support you to undertake your role.

In serious cases, volunteers may be asked to temporarily stop volunteering immediately. For example, if a volunteer is accused of harassment, theft, angry, violent behaviour, or any conduct which the Chief Executive believes to be of a serious nature. Such cases will be referred to the Complaints investigator and determined under the Code of Professional Conduct, in the first instance. If a precautionary suspension is issued to a member under RTPI Regulations, who is also registered in a volunteering capacity with the Institute, they will be requested to stop volunteering immediately until the matter has been resolved.

Campaigning and Political Activity Policy

Campaigning and political activity is sometimes required to achieve the RTPI’s goals and purpose. Indeed our Members openly expect the RTPI to speak up for their view. This policy makes clear how these activities can be delivered in ways that supports members, whilst protecting the RTPI’s independence. It explains RTPI staff and volunteer’s responsibilities in general and specifically during political election periods, regardless of where the elections take place, or in what form. It also gives practical advice that you can follow to manage the risks of any campaigning or political activity, seek advice, notify the right people and understand other personal or professional rules that may apply (e.g. on social media).