CODE OF
ETHICS
FOR VFW
DEPARTMENTS
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Missouri is a
non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Missouri. VFW members, affiliated
organizations (including Posts) and the general public look to the VFW to
provide strong leadership on veteran's issues and to develop and implement
effective programs to promote patriotism, community service, youth development
and a strong national defense. In order to fulfill those important
responsibilities, the organization must maintain a reputation that is above
reproach.
In order to sustain the organization's reputation and
assure its continued success, officers,
Council Members and employees, as well as members put in
leadership positions (e.g. committee chaiman and other appointees), are
expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and in accordance with
the admonition in the Ritual to live lives of stainless integrity. To maintain
the trust and confidence of the members, persons who donate to the organization
and the public, the officers, Council Members, employees and others in
leadership positions must adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity
and professional conduct and comply with the Code of Ethics.
This Code of Ethics is the policy of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, Department of Missouri and is intended to foster an environment
that promotes ethical conduct in carrying out the mission of the organization
by its leaders, volunteers and employees.
CODE OF ETHICS
Officers, Council Members, employees and other
persons in leadership positions in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of
Missouri shall be governed by the following Code of Ethics:
PERSONAL CONDUCT AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY
All officers, Council Members, employees and other
persons in leadership positions shall:
1.
Display
personal integrity, avoid misrepresentation and always be honest with others;
2.
Act
in a professional manner at all times;
3.
Promote
an environment where honesty and open communication are valued;
4.
Resolve
differences of opinion in a professional and mature manner;
5.
Respect
the confidentiality of privileged information;
6.
Refuse
to engage in or tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment toward
members, employees, volunteers or other officers;
7.
Exhibit
respect and fairness toward all people;
8.
Speak
highly of the organization and its members; and
9.
Promote
the VFW and support the activities of the organization.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Members and donors have placed their trust in the
leadership of the organization to use funds to best fulfill the mission of the
VFW. The officers, Council Members, employees and others in leadership positions
shall:
1.
Refrain
from using VFW's resources for any purpose that does not benefit the
organization;
2.
Ensure
that travel, entertainment and related expenses that are incurred on behalf of
the
VFW are for the benefit of the organization and not
for personal gain or interests;
3.
Make
objective and informed decisions concerning the proper use of funds or assets
of the organization; and
4.
Regard
the assets of the organization with the same consideration and same care as
personal assets when making decisions.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest
which would tarnish the image of the organization, no one serving as an
officer, Council Member, employee or in any leadership position shall take
personal advantage of his or her leadership role by allowing a situation to
exist that is, or may be perceived to be, a conflict of interest. All officers,
Council Members, employees and others in leadership positions must:
1.
Make all decisions based upon the best interests
of the VFW;
2.
Refrain from the use of VFW resources for
personal gain;
3.
Timely disclose any direct or indirect
relationship with a person, or interest in a business or other entity, that may
benefit from a decision in which they have a vote or over which they have an
ability to influence;
4.
Refrain from influencing the selection of
vendors who are relatives, personal friends or persons who are affiliated with,
employ or are employed by, a person with whom such officer, employee or other
person in a leadership position has a personal or professional relationship;
5.
Avoid any conduct that could directly or
indirectly benefit the officer, employee or other person in a leadership
position and refrain from using such positions, directly or indirectly, for
private gain or to advance personal interest or that of any family member,
personal friend
or other person with whom a
personal relationship exists;
6.
Decline any extravagant gift, travel,
entertainment, gratuity, favor or extraordinary discounts on merchandise in the
performance of VFW duties from anyone, and, under no circumstances, should any
of the aforementioned affect business decisions.*
7.
Ensure that outside employment and other
activities do not adversely affect the performance of VFW duties; and
8. Avoid any situation that may have an appearance of a conflict of interest.
*Any officer, Council Member or staff who questions the appropriateness of the gift, travel, entertainment, favors or discounts must disclose it to the Department Commander and Quarternaster.
