INTRODUCTION TO POLICY:
The Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota recognizes the value of and need to restate high principles in all aspects of operations. The following Code of Ethical Conduct formalizes the principles, obligations and high standards of ethical behavior, which must be followed in all activities of the organization. The high objective of the Code is to improve the lives of the individuals we serve; to generate the resources required to assist in reaching our objective; and to increase goodwill, understanding and support of our constituents.
Adherence to this Code is required for all members of the Board of Directors, officers and staff. The basic principle and policy contained herein is to avoid “conflicts of interest” between the objectives and needs of the charitable purposes and operations of this organization, and to assure fair treatment of all participants in sponsored programs, and staff members employed to carry out the missions of the organization.
ORGANIZATIONAL INTEGRITY:
The affairs of this organization shall be conducted with integrity and truthfulness. Activities shall be open and accessible to scrutiny by donors, except for personal matters and proprietary information. This organization shall oppose and shall not be a willing party to wrongdoing, corruption, bribery and other financial impropriety, or illegal acts in any of its activities. It shall take prompt and firm corrective action wherever and whenever wrongdoing of any kind is found among its Board, officers and staff. Ethics standards shall be maintained despite possible prevailing contrary practices elsewhere.
FINANCES:
The finances of this organization shall be conducted in such a way as to assure appropriate use of funds and accountability to donors. An annual audited financial statement, conducted by an independent Certified Public Accountant, shall be prepared in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Standards and Requirements. The auditors shall present a “management letter” to the Board of Directors following each audit. The audited financial statement shall be provided to any inquirer upon reasonable written request.
The combined fund raising and administrative costs shall be kept to the minimum necessary to meet the organizations needs. Allocations of expenditures to administration, fund raising, public education and program services shall reflect the organization’s purposes, the actual activities and generally accepted accounting practices. The organization shall operate on a budget approved by the Board of Directors. It shall account for funds from the moment they are received until they are used in the projects and services. It shall exercise adequate internal controls over disbursements to prevent errors and irregularities, or if errors or irregularities occur, they would be detected in a timely manner. Contributions shall be used as promised or implied in the fund raising appeal or as requested by the donor.
FUNDRAISING, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND DONOR CONFIDENTIALITY:
This organization shall be committed to full, honest and accurate disclosure of relevant information concerning its goals, programs, finances and governance.
Fund raising solicitations shall be truthful, shall accurately describe the organizations identity, purpose, program and need, shall only make claims which the organization can fulfill and shall avoid placing excessive pressure on donors.
Fund raising materials shall respect the dignity, values, history, religion and culture of the youth served by the programs of the organization. Board Members, officers and staff shall be responsible for conducting activities in accord with accepted professional standards of accuracy, truth, integrity and good faith. The Boys & Girls Club will conduct their affairs in accordance with accepted principles of sound business management, fiduciary responsibility, and accounting procedures; to use donations only for donors’ intended purposes; and to comply with all applicable local, state, provincial and federal laws.
Fundraising committee members and staff shall recommend only those fundraising goals which they believe can be achieved based on their professional experience, and an investigation and rational analysis of facts.
Board Members, officers and staff shall hold confidential and leave intact all lists, records and documents acquired in the service of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota.
OBEDIENCE TO LAWS AND REGULATIONS/AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
The Board of Directors, officers and staff are expected to conduct all business dealings according to national, state and local laws. Furthermore, all individuals associated with the organization are obligated to avoid all activities that could create conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest may consist of a direct or indirect relationship or obligation, either business or voluntary, which may impair the independence of judgment of a Director, officer or staff member in the exercise of duties or of judgment relating to the organization or its affairs. A conflict of interest is not limited to financial interests or legal obligations, but also extends to duties, loyalties or of trust.
Board Members must identify all conflicts or potential conflicts of interest and must not participate in decisions affecting themselves or organizations they represent.
ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO CHILDREN:
This organization recognizes that many daily decisions required of those who work with young children are of moral and ethical nature. This section offers guidelines for responsible behavior and sets forth a common basis for resolving the principal ethical dilemmas encountered in early childhood development.
Standards of ethical behavior in early childhood development are based on commitment to core values. We have committed ourselves to:
- appreciation childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle;
- basing our work with children on knowledge of child development;
- appreciating and supporting the close ties between child and family
- recognizing that children are best understood in the context of family, culture and society;
- respecting the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member and friend); and
- helping children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust, respect and positive regard.
Our paramount responsibility is to provide safe, health, nurturing and responsive settings for participants in our programs. We are committed to supporting youth development by cherishing individual differences, by helping they learn to live and work cooperatively and by promoting their self-esteem.
To this end, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, intimidating, psychologically damaging or physically harmful to children.
We shall not participate in practices that discriminate against children by denying benefits, giving special advantages or excluding them from programs or activities on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age or the status, behavior or beliefs of their parents.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Club expects all employees to conduct themselves in a manner that exemplifies the highest standards of ethics and propriety in any endeavor or activity that could impact or reflect upon the mission, purpose, integrity, reputation, and professional and business relationships of the Club.
Recognizing that it is not possible to address all ways in which ethical issues may arise, the following principles are intended as a guide in making sound judgments and decisions on behalf of the Club and its mission, not as a comprehensive list of potential concerns.
Pledge of Personal and Professional Conduct
Integrity — I will demonstrate the highest standards of individual conduct, personal accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, fair dealings, considerations of the rights of others, and the highest principles of good business relationships.
Excellence — I will strive to meet the highest standards of performance, quality, service and achievement.
Honesty — I will communicate directly, respectfully, honestly and openly, and avoid misrepresentation.
Diversity — I will support diversity — promoting a working environment that embraces the similarities and differences all people bring to the organization.
Respect — I will respect and act fairly toward all those with whom I come into contact and refuse to engage in or tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment.
Responsibility — I will take responsibility for my actions and decisions and remain a careful steward of the funds and resources entrusted to me.
Compliance — I will comply with the Club’s Code of Ethics, Employee Handbook, policies, procedures and all laws and regulations affecting the Club.