"In establishing policy for and on behalf of (MOER Foundation)'s members, I am a volunteer member in trust of the assets of the organization. The members recognize the need for competent and committed elected board members to serve the MOER Foundation, and have put their trust in my sincerity and abilities. In return, the members deserve my utmost effort, dedication, and support."

"Therefore, as a Member/Director of the MOER Foundation, I acknowledge and commit that I will observe a high standard of ethics and conduct as I devote my best efforts, skills and resources in the interest of the MOER Foundation and its members. I will perform my duties as board Member/Director in such a manner that members' confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of the MOER Foundationare conserved and enhanced. To do otherwise would be a breach of the trust which the membership has bestowed upon me."

A listing of items, which the MOER Foundation considers to be in conflict, have been developed by the board, and included in the overall code of ethics.

General

1.    I will always hold the betterment of the membership of the MOER Foundation as my priority, including during all participation in discussions and voting matters.

2.    I recognize that I am obligated to act in a manner which will bear the closest public scrutiny.

3.    It is my responsibility to contribute to the board of directors any suggestions of ways to improve the MOER Foundation's policies, standards, practices or ethics.

4. I will not abuse my positin as a board member/director suggesting to any MOER Foundation employee that I am entitled to or expect any special treatment beyond regular members of the MOER Foundation.

5.    I will declare any conflict of interest, be it real, potential, or apparent, which is not immediately obvious with regard to any matter being discussed in my presence during a meeting.

6.    If the board decides at any time during a meeting that I have a conflict, I will accept their request that I refrain from participating in the discussion and I will leave the meeting at the board's request. I understand that the board's decision will be recorded in the minutes, either with or without the reasons for the decision being also recorded.

7.    I understand that the following activities are considered by the MOER Foundation to be conflicts of interest, and that conflicts of interest are not limited to the following situations:

• whereas, a director makes a decision or does an act motivated by other or additional considerations than "the best interests of the MOER Foundation
  
  
• whereas, a director personally contracts with the MOER Foundation or where he/she is a director of other MOER Foundations which are contracting with the MOER Foundation

• whereas, a director learns of an opportunity for profit which may be valuable to him/her personally or to another MOER Foundation of which he/she is a member, or to other persons known to the director

• whereas, a director, in any circumstance as related to the MOER Foundation, puts his/her personal interests ahead of the best interests of the MOER Foundation

8. I will not knowingly take advantage of or benefit from information that is obtained in the course of my official duties and responsibilities as a board member, and that is not generally available to membership.

9. I will be alert to information which the MOER Foundation can use to develop improved policies and strategies.

10. I will protect the MOER Foundations information closely and will not release or share confidential information without the permission, preferably in writing, of the person who provided it.

11. I will maintain confidentiality of all information which the board deems ought to be kept confidential.

12. I will be mindful of resources which are in my trust on behalf of the MOER Foundation, and will help establish policies which ensure the maximization of secure and protected resources.

13. I expect to be reimbursed for legitimate expenses incurred by myself for the sake of the MOER Foundation. I will keep all such expenses reasonable and justifiable and will discuss expenses which may be in question with the MOER Foundation's president.

14. Should business associates or others offer me gifts, favors, or benefits on a personal basis because of the business the MOER Foundation does with them, I will recognize that such offers may be an effort to secure advantage from me, and I will reject such offers on the basis that it is against the MOER Foundation's policy to accept gifts from business contacts. The most I will accept will be normal promotional handouts of a nominal value.

15. I will not routinely accept the hospitality of others. For example, when meals are taken with business colleagues, I will pay for as many meals as do my colleagues.

16. As part of my duties as a board member, I represent the MOER Foundation informally and formally to other associations, societies, government officials, and business representatives.  I recognize that it is important that I represent the MOER Foundation in such a way as to leave others with a positive impression of the MOER Foundation.  In my duties I will preserve and enhance the good reputation of the MOER Foundation and will avoid behavior, which might damage its image.

Enforcement

18. The president is ultimately responsible for immediate interpretation, application and enforcement of the board members' code of ethics policy. All complaints concerning a possible code of ethics violation shall be made in writing to or by the president with a copy provided to the complainant.

The president shall make an initial determination of the issue and shall attempt initial resolution of the problem with the complainer and the complainant.

If this initial attempt at resolution is not successful, the president shall appoint a tribunal composed of three board members to investigate the complaint. The tribunal is required to investigate as required and submit a written report to the president within 30 days. The president will render his/her decision within ten days of receiving the tribunal's report.

The president's decision may be appealed in writing to the board of directors for consideration at the board's MOER Foundation's meeting for a final decision. The final decision shall be delivered in writing to the complainer and complainant.

Delegation and Penalties

19. Should the president be the subject of a written complaint, the vice president shall perform the duties normally assigned to the president in this matter.

20. Penalties imposed for breach of the code of ethics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

·       Excluding the director from portions of all future meetings and discussions which relate to the stated conflict of interest, and/or

·         censure of the director, in private, in public, or both, and/or

·         removal of the director from office by a resolution passed by a vote of two-thirds of the members voting at an annual or special general meeting of the not-for-profit MOER Foundation's members, provided that notice of such a proposed resolution is given with the notice calling the meeting.

I have read and I accept the MOER Foundation's Code of Ethics