ARTS QUINTE WEST (AQW) requires its officers, directors and committee members to maintain the following standard of ethical behaviour when representing or participating in AQW activities. Officers, directors and committee members should at all times:
- Conduct:
- Act in good faith and in the best interests of AQW and its membership.
- Be an advocate for and represent AQW with integrity and respect for all persons and organizations with whom one comes into contact in the course of AQW business and events.
- Act in the knowledge that even the appearance of misconduct or impropriety can be very damaging to the reputation of AQW.
- Exercise reasonable care when making decisions for the organization. Once a Board decision is made, support the decision even if one’s own view is a minority.
- Compliance: Know, understand and comply with the laws, regulations and codes of conduct governing the conduct of AQW business and events.
- Honesty: Conduct all dealings with transparency and fairness. Ensure that all transactions and communications are handled honestly and recorded accurately.
- Confidentiality: Protect information that belongs to AQW, or to donors, sponsors, suppliers and fellow artists. During and after fulfilling terms on boards and committees, all confidential matters that are provided shall remain confidential forever. All verbal and written disclosures of a confidential nature will remain confidential, unless disclosure is required by law.
- Conflict of Interest: Avoid conflicts of interest, both real and perceived.
- Following appointment or election, or when the situation arises, disclose one’s involvement with other organizations, businesses or individuals (including family) where such a relationship could be viewed as a conflict of interest, so that the Board can decide appropriate action.
- In the capacity as officer, director or committee member of AQW, be cautious not to compromise loyalty to AQW when involved with a competing or sister organization; recuse oneself from voting on and/or discussing an issue if deemed to have divided loyalties.
- Never use AQW assets or information for personal gain.
I acknowledge that I have read, understand and accept the Codes of Conduct, Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest described above and I agree to comply fully. I acknowledge that under the terms of AQW’s Bylaws, any breach will be subject to appropriate actions, including dismissal from the Board or committee, as determined by the Board of Directors.
**AQW defines a conflict of interest as whenever others may reasonably infer from the circumstances that a conflict exists.
**AQW defines “family” for the purpose of this policy as: spouse, parent, child, or spouse of a child, brother, sister, spouse of a brother or sister, a cohabitating companion or any other individual with a significant familial or familial-like relationship
