STATEMENT OF VALUES
Any code of ethics is built on a foundation of widely shared values that serve to guide and direct policies and actions. Guam Women’s Club values are:
· Commitment to the public good
· Accountability to the public
· Commitment beyond the law
· Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals
· Inclusiveness and social justice
· Respect for pluralism and diversity
· Transparency, integrity and honesty
· Responsible stewardship of resources and
· Commitment to excellence and to maintaining the public trust
These core values shaped Guam Women’s Club’s Code of Ethics. The Club’s values and ethics align with those recommended by a consortium of more than 200 civic organizations, The Independent Sector, which developed a “Statement of Values and Code of Ethics for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations.” The statement was adapted by the membership to create Guam Women’s Club’s Code of Ethics.
THE CODE OF ETHICS
Approved by General membership
August 25, 2006
Personal and Professional Integrity: All Executive Council members, committee chairpersons, members, and volunteers of the organization act with honesty, integrity, and openness in all their dealings as representatives of the organization. The organization promotes a working environment that values respect, fairness, and integrity.
Mission: In the pursuit of the public good, Guam Women’s Club has a clearly stated mission and purpose approved by the membership. All programs support the mission, and all who work for or on behalf of the Club understand and are loyal to the mission and purpose. The mission is responsive to the constituency and communities served by the organization and is of value to the society at large.
Governance: Executive Council is responsible for setting the mission and strategic direction of the organization and for oversight of the finances, operations, and policies of the organization. The Executive Council ensures that:
Legal Compliance: The organization is knowledgeable of and complies with all laws, regulations, and applicable international conventions. (Example: FAWA)
Responsible Stewardship: The organization manages its funds responsibly and prudently. This includes ensuring that:
· A reasonable percentage of its annual budget is spent on programs in pursuance of its mission
· An adequate amount is spent on administrative expenses to enable effective accounting systems, internal controls, and other expenditures critical to professional management
· Fundraising costs are reasonable, recognizing the variety of factors that affect those costs
· All spending practices and policies are fair, reasonable, and appropriate to fulfill the mission of the organization
· All financial reports are factually accurate and complete in all material respects
Openness and Disclosure: The Guam Women’s Club provides comprehensive and timely information to the public, the media, and all stakeholders and is responsive in a timely manner to reasonable requests for information. All information about the organization will fully and honestly reflect the policies and practices of the organization. Basic informational data about the organization, such as Form 990, reviews and compilations, and audited financial statements will be posted the website or otherwise available to the public. All solicitation materials accurately represent the Club’s policies and practices and will reflect the dignity of program beneficiaries. All financial, program, and organizational reports will be complete and accurate in all material respects.
Program/Event Evaluation: The organization regularly reviews program/event effectiveness and has mechanisms to incorporate lessons learned into future programs/events. The Club is committed to improving program/event and organizational effectiveness and develops mechanisms to promote learning from its activities. The Guam Women’s Club is responsive to changes in its field of activity and is responsive to the needs of it constituencies served.
Inclusiveness and Diversity: The Guam Women’s Club has a policy of promoting inclusiveness and reflects diversity in order to enrich it effectiveness.
Fundraising: Guam Women’s Club raises funds from the public and donor institutions and is truthful in its solicitation materials. The Club respects the privacy concerns of individual donors and expends funds consistently with donor intent. Guam Women’s Club discloses important and relevant information to potential donors. In raising funds from the public, the Club will respect the rights of donors as follows. Donors:
Donation guidelines: The Guam Women’s Club is a philanthropic organization. As such, there are particular responsibilities in carrying out its mission, including that:
· Constructive relations with applicants is based on mutual respect and shared goals
· Communication with potential grantees is clear and timely
· Applicants and grantees will be treated fairly and with respect
· Applicant’s expertise and fields of knowledge will be respected
· All attempts will be made to understand and respect the organizational capacity and needs of applicant organization.
· Guam Women’s Club will respect the integrity of the mission of the applicant organization
Any code of ethics is built on a foundation of widely shared values that serve to guide and direct policies and actions. Guam Women’s Club values are:
· Commitment to the public good
· Accountability to the public
· Commitment beyond the law
· Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals
· Inclusiveness and social justice
· Respect for pluralism and diversity
· Transparency, integrity and honesty
· Responsible stewardship of resources and
· Commitment to excellence and to maintaining the public trust
These core values shaped Guam Women’s Club’s Code of Ethics. The Club’s values and ethics align with those recommended by a consortium of more than 200 civic organizations, The Independent Sector, which developed a “Statement of Values and Code of Ethics for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations.” The statement was adapted by the membership to create Guam Women’s Club’s Code of Ethics.
THE CODE OF ETHICS
Approved by General membership
August 25, 2006
Personal and Professional Integrity: All Executive Council members, committee chairpersons, members, and volunteers of the organization act with honesty, integrity, and openness in all their dealings as representatives of the organization. The organization promotes a working environment that values respect, fairness, and integrity.
Mission: In the pursuit of the public good, Guam Women’s Club has a clearly stated mission and purpose approved by the membership. All programs support the mission, and all who work for or on behalf of the Club understand and are loyal to the mission and purpose. The mission is responsive to the constituency and communities served by the organization and is of value to the society at large.
Governance: Executive Council is responsible for setting the mission and strategic direction of the organization and for oversight of the finances, operations, and policies of the organization. The Executive Council ensures that:
- Members have the requisite skills and experience to carry out their duties
- All members understand and fulfill their duties
- Any conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof are avoided or appropriately managed as stated in the conflict of interest policy
- All transactions and dealings are conducted with integrity and honesty
- Working relationships based on mutual respect, fairness, and openness are promoted with committee chairs, members, volunteers, and program beneficiaries
- Policies are in writing, clearly articulated, and officially adopted
- Resources are responsibly and prudently managed
- Guam Women’s Club has the capacity to carry out its programs effectively
Legal Compliance: The organization is knowledgeable of and complies with all laws, regulations, and applicable international conventions. (Example: FAWA)
Responsible Stewardship: The organization manages its funds responsibly and prudently. This includes ensuring that:
· A reasonable percentage of its annual budget is spent on programs in pursuance of its mission
· An adequate amount is spent on administrative expenses to enable effective accounting systems, internal controls, and other expenditures critical to professional management
· Fundraising costs are reasonable, recognizing the variety of factors that affect those costs
· All spending practices and policies are fair, reasonable, and appropriate to fulfill the mission of the organization
· All financial reports are factually accurate and complete in all material respects
Openness and Disclosure: The Guam Women’s Club provides comprehensive and timely information to the public, the media, and all stakeholders and is responsive in a timely manner to reasonable requests for information. All information about the organization will fully and honestly reflect the policies and practices of the organization. Basic informational data about the organization, such as Form 990, reviews and compilations, and audited financial statements will be posted the website or otherwise available to the public. All solicitation materials accurately represent the Club’s policies and practices and will reflect the dignity of program beneficiaries. All financial, program, and organizational reports will be complete and accurate in all material respects.
Program/Event Evaluation: The organization regularly reviews program/event effectiveness and has mechanisms to incorporate lessons learned into future programs/events. The Club is committed to improving program/event and organizational effectiveness and develops mechanisms to promote learning from its activities. The Guam Women’s Club is responsive to changes in its field of activity and is responsive to the needs of it constituencies served.
Inclusiveness and Diversity: The Guam Women’s Club has a policy of promoting inclusiveness and reflects diversity in order to enrich it effectiveness.
Fundraising: Guam Women’s Club raises funds from the public and donor institutions and is truthful in its solicitation materials. The Club respects the privacy concerns of individual donors and expends funds consistently with donor intent. Guam Women’s Club discloses important and relevant information to potential donors. In raising funds from the public, the Club will respect the rights of donors as follows. Donors:
- Are informed of the organization’s mission, the way the resources will be used and their capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes
- Are informed of the identity of those serving on the Executive Council and expect the Council to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities
- Have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements
- Are assured that their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given
- Receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition
- Are assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by the law
- Are informed whether those seeking donations are members, volunteers, or hired solicitors.
- Have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that the Guam Women’s Club intends to share
- Are free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers
Donation guidelines: The Guam Women’s Club is a philanthropic organization. As such, there are particular responsibilities in carrying out its mission, including that:
· Constructive relations with applicants is based on mutual respect and shared goals
· Communication with potential grantees is clear and timely
· Applicants and grantees will be treated fairly and with respect
· Applicant’s expertise and fields of knowledge will be respected
· All attempts will be made to understand and respect the organizational capacity and needs of applicant organization.
· Guam Women’s Club will respect the integrity of the mission of the applicant organization
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