Code of Conduct for Holders of SNU appointments and awards

This document has been reproduced with the permission of the Education Committee of the Spiritualist National Union

1. Interpretation
1.1 SNU = The Spiritualists National Union

1.2 Union = The Spiritualist National Union

1.3 Award Holder = (for the purpose of this schedule only, this definition includes holders or appointments) Any class B member who has been granted a Certicate of Recognition (CSNU), a Diploma (DSNU), a Teachers Diploma (TSNU), or a Fellowship (FSNU), or who has been appointed as an Officiant (OSNU), Approved Celebrant (in Scotland) or Minister (MSNU)

2. Objects
2.1 To act in a manner which promotes and encourages the practice, study and investigation of the art, science, religion and philosophy of Spiritualism as based upon the Seven Principles.

2.2 To act in a manner at all times to bring credit to Spiritualism and The Spiritualists' National Union

3. Advertising and Promotion
3.1 Award holders may not use any title or description which is calculated to give the impression that he is a medical practitioner, an ordained Minister or a university graduate or holds any other professional qualification unless he holds such qualification from a bona-fide and generaly recognised institution;

3.2 Award holders should endeavour to ensure that the award which they have is promoted/announced precisely.

3.3 Certificate hodlers and Diploma holders should also endeavour to make it clear in what category their award was granted, i.e, speaking, demonstrating, healing or administration.

4. Award holders and the law
4.1 At present mediumship is not illegal in Great Britain

4.2 The law is enshirned in a series of Acts or Statuary Regulations principally associated with The Vagrancy Act 1824 and the Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951. In case of doubt the award holder should state the facts of any problems encountered to the General Secretary of the SNU and seek guidance.

4.3 It is essential that every award holder, particularly anyone who practices outside of an SNU church, understands and observes the law as it relates to mediumship. Disregard of the law may result in legal difficulties for anyone involved.

4.4 In the light of legal provisions great care is needed in the following cases:-

(a) using any device whilst purporting to communicate with spirit, eg. in all forms of psychometry;

(b) giving any informtation pertaining to the future, having accepted any form of reward;

(c) providing such services for reward, either directly or indirectly

4.5 Healing award holders must also conply with the Healing Code of Conduct

5. Ethics and Courtesy
5.1 The SNU wishes to ensure that the impact of mediumship is properly understood, accordingly award holders should maintain the highest standards of competence and conduct.

5.2 Award holders should remember that they have a responsibility to perform in consoling the bereaved, assisting people when they are at their lowest ebb and being relied upon to be truthful and caring at all times.

5.3 Award holders must not pretend to be in communication with the spirit world if they are not: it is morally wrong to do so

5.4 If an award holder wishes to take another exponent (who has not been booked) to participate in a service, he must obtain prior permission from the Church.

5.5 When taking a booking award holders should advise the church how much they charge for expenses and how much their fee will be.

5.6 If an award holder does not recieve a reminder from a Church he should try to contact a Church representive to confirm his booking: if unable to do so, then his obliged to attend.

5.7 Award holders should make every effort to keep bookings: however, if it becomes necessary to cancel a booking, they should inform the Church and (if giving less than fourteen days notice) they should offer a replacement.

5.8 Award holders should not take part in a psychic fair or similar events

5.9 I have been asked not to list this as there are new laws coming out regarding children

6. SNU Policy
6.1 An award holder must not be a member of, hold an award of, or take part in the management of, a restricted body

6.2 An award holder must not serve, be a member of, hold an award of, or take part in the management of, a suspended body

6.3 An award holder must not serve, be a member of, hold an award of, or take part in the management of, a body which imposes restrictions on his services to the Union or its affiliated bodies.

6.4 An award holder must not use the award in a manner prejudicial to the welfare of the Union

6.5 Award holders should behave with integrity, courtesy, dignity and discretion. Their attitude should be competent and sympathetic, hopeful and positive at all times.

6.6 Award holders should not claim an ability to contact a particular individual in spirit

6.7 Award holders must treat as strictly confidential all information of a personal nature which is confided to them

6.8 Award holders are entitled to place after their names the abbreviation appropriate to their award, subject to 3.1(2)

6.9 Award holders should not that psychic exercises such as are used in teaching and training seminars must not form part of a service of religious worship or public demonstration. Where a device is used in a teaching or training session and a link is made to the spirit world, the object must be put aside so that it cannot be construed as a fraudulent device.

7. Presentation
7.1 People attending a private interview should be asked whether it will be their first experience of a private sitting: If this is the case, then an explanation of what to expect should be given.

7.2 Award holders must dress in a manner suitable for the occasion

7.3 Award holders should always remain in front of the congregation or audience during a public service or demonstration. An award holder should not move amongst the congregation or audience during the proceedings.

8. Trance Mediumship
8.1 Award holders should be aware that trance mediumship is not recognised in law. The law does not recognise the third party working; the responsibility and liability rest with the medium. However, it is recognised that some mediums work in the altered state of consciousness (trance) and where this is practiced it is mandatory that the following criteria be observed:-

(a) all trance mediums must obtain permission of a Church or organising body before conducting an address or demonstration in trance.

(b) a third party should be present at all times during private trance sittings.