Code Of Conduct
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to identify the Foundation’s position on ethics and proper practice and to document the standards expected in providing a service to the community.
Policy
1
The Board and staff of the Foundation have a legal and moral responsibility to manage the Foundation in the best interests of the community it serves. The Board and staff will demonstrate professional ethical behaviour at all times – in their responsibilities to the Foundation, in their professional relationships with each other, and in their professional service to the community – and will be required to adhere to this code of ethics.
2
The Board shall:
(A). Be diligent, attend Board meetings and devote sufficient time to preparation for meetings to allow for full and appropriate participation in the Board’s decision-making.
(B). Observe confidentiality relating to non-public information acquired by them in their role as Board Members and not disclose such information to any other person.
(C). Meet regularly to monitor the performance of management and the Foundation as a whole. To do this the Board will ensure that appropriate monitoring and reporting systems are in place and that these are maintained and utilised to provide accurate and timely information to the Board. [Refer to Professional Conduct and Governance Policy for more information.]
(D). Ensure there is an appropriate separation of duties and responsibilities between itself and senior management and that no individual has unfettered powers of decision-making. [Refer to Professional Conduct and Governance Policy for related information.]
(E). Ensure that the independent views of Board members are given due consideration and weight.
(F). Ensure that stakeholders are provided with an accurate and balanced view of the Foundation’s performance, including both financial and service provision.
(G). Regularly review its own performance as the basis for its own development and quality assurance. Individual Board Members should also review their own performance with a view to ensuring a suitable contribution to Board deliberations and decision-making and, if found lacking, should either pursue training or assistance to improve their performance, or resign.
(H). Carry out its meetings in such a manner as to ensure fair and full participation of all Board members.
(I). Ensure that the Foundation’s assets are protected through a suitable risk management strategy.
(J). Ensure that personal and financial interests do not conflict with the duty to the Foundation. [Refer to Conflict of Interest Policy for more information.
(B). Observe confidentiality relating to non-public information acquired by them in their role as Board Members and not disclose such information to any other person.
(C). Meet regularly to monitor the performance of management and the Foundation as a whole. To do this the Board will ensure that appropriate monitoring and reporting systems are in place and that these are maintained and utilised to provide accurate and timely information to the Board. [Refer to Professional Conduct and Governance Policy for more information.]
(D). Ensure there is an appropriate separation of duties and responsibilities between itself and senior management and that no individual has unfettered powers of decision-making. [Refer to Professional Conduct and Governance Policy for related information.]
(E). Ensure that the independent views of Board members are given due consideration and weight.
(F). Ensure that stakeholders are provided with an accurate and balanced view of the Foundation’s performance, including both financial and service provision.
(G). Regularly review its own performance as the basis for its own development and quality assurance. Individual Board Members should also review their own performance with a view to ensuring a suitable contribution to Board deliberations and decision-making and, if found lacking, should either pursue training or assistance to improve their performance, or resign.
(H). Carry out its meetings in such a manner as to ensure fair and full participation of all Board members.
(I). Ensure that the Foundation’s assets are protected through a suitable risk management strategy.
(J). Ensure that personal and financial interests do not conflict with the duty to the Foundation. [Refer to Conflict of Interest Policy for more information.
3
Staff (paid and unpaid) shall:
(A). Publicly and privately support the Foundation and each other, acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of others and acting with courtesy and respect.
(B). Act honestly and in good faith at all times in the interests of the Foundation and objects, ensuring that all stakeholders, particularly those who are recipients of services, are treated fairly according to their rights.
(C). Perform their duties as best they can, taking into account their skills, experience, qualifications and position. They shall act in a safe, responsible and effective manner.
(D). Be punctual and reliable in their attendance and adhere to their prescribed and authorised hours of duty.
(E). Comply with the prescribed terms and conditions of their employment or engagement.
(F). Record their attendance for duty in the manner prescribed.
(G). Notify the Foundation of any inability to attend duty as early as possible so as not to inconvenience others or delay the work of the Foundation.
(H). Carry out their duties in a lawful manner and ensure the Foundation carries out its business in accordance with the law, and recognise both legal and moral duties of their role.
(I). Respect and safeguard the property of the Foundation, the public and colleagues; and observe safe work practices so as not to endanger themselves or others. [Refer to Occupation Health and Safety Policy for more information.]
(J). Maintain confidentiality regarding any information gained through their work and not divulge personal information or the address or phone numbers of Staff, Board or service users. [Refer to Privacy Policy for additional information.]
(K). Ensure that all transactions, agreements and records that flow from relationships with the Foundation’s stakeholders will be accurately and openly recorded in the Foundation’s books and records, and no entries will be made which obscure the true nature of a transaction.
(L). Ensure that the Foundation will market its services with integrity and accuracy.
(M). Ensure that personal and financial interests do not conflict with the duty to the Foundation.
(N). Undertake no personal or business activities for personal gain while at the Foundation or while conducting business of the Foundation. Procedures associated with such activities will not be carried out on the Foundation’s computers without open and express permission of a higher authority.
(O). Work within the Foundation’s policies and principles.
(P). Discuss issues where appropriate with other staff and Board members to determine whether or not a contemplated action is ethical.
(B). Act honestly and in good faith at all times in the interests of the Foundation and objects, ensuring that all stakeholders, particularly those who are recipients of services, are treated fairly according to their rights.
(C). Perform their duties as best they can, taking into account their skills, experience, qualifications and position. They shall act in a safe, responsible and effective manner.
(D). Be punctual and reliable in their attendance and adhere to their prescribed and authorised hours of duty.
(E). Comply with the prescribed terms and conditions of their employment or engagement.
(F). Record their attendance for duty in the manner prescribed.
(G). Notify the Foundation of any inability to attend duty as early as possible so as not to inconvenience others or delay the work of the Foundation.
(H). Carry out their duties in a lawful manner and ensure the Foundation carries out its business in accordance with the law, and recognise both legal and moral duties of their role.
(I). Respect and safeguard the property of the Foundation, the public and colleagues; and observe safe work practices so as not to endanger themselves or others. [Refer to Occupation Health and Safety Policy for more information.]
(J). Maintain confidentiality regarding any information gained through their work and not divulge personal information or the address or phone numbers of Staff, Board or service users. [Refer to Privacy Policy for additional information.]
(K). Ensure that all transactions, agreements and records that flow from relationships with the Foundation’s stakeholders will be accurately and openly recorded in the Foundation’s books and records, and no entries will be made which obscure the true nature of a transaction.
(L). Ensure that the Foundation will market its services with integrity and accuracy.
(M). Ensure that personal and financial interests do not conflict with the duty to the Foundation.
(N). Undertake no personal or business activities for personal gain while at the Foundation or while conducting business of the Foundation. Procedures associated with such activities will not be carried out on the Foundation’s computers without open and express permission of a higher authority.
(O). Work within the Foundation’s policies and principles.
(P). Discuss issues where appropriate with other staff and Board members to determine whether or not a contemplated action is ethical.
Responsibility
4
The Chair is responsible for the implementations and review of this policy.
5
All Board members, casual, permanent and contract staff volunteers are responsible for adhering to all applicable clauses.
