As a matter of fundamental principle, the BC Interior Community Foundation (the “Foundation”) requires the highest ethical standards because public trust in our performance is the bedrock of our legitimacy. Donors, members, volunteers and grant recipients trust the Foundation to carry out our mission, to be good stewards of endowment funds, and to uphold rigorous standards of conduct. The Foundation must earn this trust every day. It is therefore essential that the people involved with the Foundation, including the board of directors, members, staff and volunteers demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the core values of integrity, honesty, impartiality, openness, respect, and responsibility. Simple adherence to the law is not enough. The Foundation will often need to go beyond legal requirements and make sure that our actions are transparent, open and responsive to public concerns.
This Code of Conduct and Ethics has been established to provide appropriate guidelines and applies to all directors, members, staff, and volunteers of the Foundation.
Integrity:
Foundation members shall act with competence, honesty, integrity and fairness while carrying out their obligations for the Foundation.
Role:
The well-being of the people of our community will be the primary role of Foundation members. In addition, the Board of directors, staff and volunteers will act in the best interests of the Foundation in fulfilling its mission and purposes set out in the Foundation’s constitution.
Governance:
The Board of Directors understands its role as the governing body of the Foundation and accepts full responsibility for setting the vision, mission, strategic direction and Foundation policies. The Board of Directors is also responsible for oversight of the finances and operations and for the actions and performance of the Executive Director. The directors will ensure that as a group they have or will acquire the relevant skills and experience along with securing the required resources to complete the Foundation’s mission.
Accountability and Transparency:
In carrying out philanthropic activities, Foundation directors, staff and volunteers act within the letter and the spirit of the law. The Foundation embraces public interest, takes full responsibility for its actions, communicates truthfully, and ensures public records are easily available while maintaining appropriate privacy and confidentiality. The Foundation will manage its resources carefully and frugally, actively avoiding excessive expense.
Diversity and Inclusiveness:
The Foundation seeks diversity and inclusiveness in order to reflect our community. The Foundation strives to ensure that a full range of perspectives contributes to the common good of our local society. In conducting its business all members of the Foundation will listen to and treat all others who come together under the auspices of the Foundation with respect.
Conflict:
The Foundation seeks to involve Board members, staff and volunteers who are active in community life. It is very likely that on occasion conflicts of interest will arise. Everyone involved with the Foundation will act conscientiously to ensure that all conflicts are declared, and appropriate actions are taken within the policies and guidelines established by the Board. The directors shall serve without remuneration for their services. No director shall directly or indirectly receive any profit from his or her position.
Any Foundation member, staff, volunteer or community member who believes the Code of Conduct and Ethics has been violated is obligated to promptly report their concerns to the Chair of the Governance Committee and/or President of the Board of Directors. All reports of a suspected violation will be investigated and acted upon in confidence to the extent possible. Upon completion of the investigation, the Foundation will take such action as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. If it is found, as a result of a thorough investigation, that the subject of the complaint has violated the Foundation's Code of Conduct and Ethics, they may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including revocation of their membership or dismissal. The Foundation will not tolerate retaliation against any employee who makes a good faith report or who cooperates with the investigation of a complaint.
