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coach code of conduct

OMD volunteers work with its scholars in both short- and long-term capacities, assisting in both professional and personal development. They are an integral part of OMD’s mission is to accelerate community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility. 

 

Below, read the OMD Volunteer Coach of Conduct. 

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As representatives of the organization, OMD volunteers must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion. Participation in the organization’s programs is subject to the observance of the organization’s rules and procedures.  

As a volunteer, I am committed to the following guidelines, and understand any violation of this Code would result in my immediate dismissal from the program: 

Respect 

  • Treat all individuals with a sense of dignity, respect, and worth. Make a personal commitment to be nonjudgmental about cultural differences, living conditions, possible criminal background, and life-style of each scholar, staff member, and fellow volunteer 
  • Not preach to anyone or pressure anyone to accept my political, cultural, or religious beliefs 
  • Refrain from using profane and abusive language towards a staff member, fellow volunteer, or scholar  
  • Not verbally, physically or visually harass any staff member, fellow volunteer, or scholar  
  • Respect all confidential information. Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer 

Safety 

  • Not use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at any time while volunteering at a One Million Degrees event, or while meeting with a scholar outside of these events  
  • Not bring dangerous or unauthorized materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons or other similar items onto property where One Million Degrees events are held 
  • Abstain from actual or threatened violence toward any individual or group 
  • Avoid any conduct that may endanger the life, safety, health or well-being of others 

I recognize that I have a responsibility to adhere to the rules and procedures of the agency I have read and I understand One Million Degrees’ Volunteer Code of Conduct. I agree to abide by the rules described above and understand that I may be removed as a volunteer if I violate any of these rules. 



David Scherer

David Scherer, Treasurer

One Million Degrees Co-founder 

David is principal of Origin, co-chairs the Investment Committee, and oversees investment analysis, acquisition and asset management. He has more than 20 years of experience in real estate investing, finance, and asset management. In 2006, he co-founded One Million Degrees, which has raised $20 million to help low-income community college students graduate and successfully enter the workforce. David has served as the organization’s Board Chair for the past 12 years, as the organization has grown from 30 to 1,000 students served per year. He also serves as the President of the Harvard Club of Chicago and is on the Advisory Board of Invest for Kids.  

Rose Lizarraga

Rose Lizarraga

OMD CO-Founder & President & CEO, Lysa LLC

An award-winning documentary filmmaker and freelance writer, Rose’s career also includes 10 years spent developing new product and brand strategies as well as marketing and advertising campaigns at Leo Burnett, Foote, Cone & Belding, M&M/Mars and other small businesses.  More recently, she worked as a writer/editor for Modern Luxury Inc., publishers of magazines such as CS and Angeleno.  Rose graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with dual degrees in English and Political Science.  She is a founding member of the Daniel M. Kerrane, Jr. Foundation, former Board Vice President of the Fairy Godmother Foundation, and currently serves on the Chicago committee for Human Rights Watch.

Michael B Golden

Michael B. Golden

One Million Degrees Co-Founder 

A former national award-winning broadcast journalist, Michael Golden has also served as a political campaign manager and communications strategist for U.S. Presidential, Senate and Congressional races. Michael is a fellow at the British-American Project and the Open Society Institute. In 1999, Michael’s investigative and public affairs reporting for NBC earned him honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, the AP, and the Edward R. Murrow Awards. In 2011, Michael co-founded Newsbound, Inc., a media and software company based in San Francisco, CA. He is also a co-founder of the Complete the Degree back-to-college initiative in Chicago, Illinois. Michael serves on the board of the ADL and on the governing board of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, as well as the Illinois Commission to Eliminate Poverty. He received his B.A. from Indiana University, and his M.S. in Public Services Management from DePaul University.