What are the essential elements of a non-profit organizations ethics policy?
Generally, an organization should consider addressing the following ten elements in its ethics policy: 1. General Statement of Commitment. A statement that all members of the board of directors, staff, and volunteers serving on committees or otherwise associated with the organization are committed to conducting the organization’s business with the highest standards of integrity and personal conduct, that exceptions to the policy have to be approved by the Board and acknowledging that no ethics policy can address all specific situations, therefore any suggestion of a possibility of conflict should be brought to the attention of the organization. The general statement should also state that the policy includes avoidance of the appearance as well as any actual conflict with regard to: • using the association with the organization for private gain; • preferential treatment to any outside person or organization; • impeding the efficiency or economy of the organization; • loss of independenc
