Ethics Policy

The United Way of Collier County is synonymous with charitable service. The United Way of Collier County has earned public trust, nurtured by years of ethical, honest and responsible charitable service. The continued success of this United Way depends upon the ethical conduct of the organization, its employees and representatives.

United Way employees set an example for other non-profit organizations by their high standards of performance, professionalism, volunteer, charitable activities and ethical conduct.
This Code of Ethics is the policy of the United Way of Collier County and expresses fundamental values. Accordingly, this Code guides the conduct of all employees and is intended to foster an environment that promotes ethical conduct in carrying out their responsibilities.

PERSONAL INTEGRITY: A personal commitment to integrity in all circumstances benefits each individual as well as the organization. United Way employees:

Respect and seek out the truth and avoid misrepresentation.

Ensure fairness and objectivity in all activities.

Set and example, as employees of a leading nonprofit organization, for high standards of professionalism.

Honor the right of privacy of all people, including co-workers, contributors and beneficiaries.

Promote public confidence in philanthropic institutions.
PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE: As an employer, United Way promotes professional excellence and encour-ages open and honest communication among all employees to create an atmosphere conductive to personal growth and career development. United Way’s management:

Encourages employee development and communicates with personnel to help them achieve their goals, and increase their self esteem through job enrichment.

Evaluates employees on a fair and consistent basis so that all employees know what is expected of them and how they are progressing toward fulfilling expectations.

Shows respect and empathy for employees and is considerate while being mindful of managerial responsibilities.

Regularly solicits and respects the opinions of subordinates.

United Way Employees: Strive to meet performance standards at the highest level.

Refuse to engage in or tolerate and fraud, misuse, abuse or waste of United Way resources.

Encourage growth and self improvement in themselves and their co-workers.

Exhibit respect for co-workers and all those they come into contact with.

Have the courage to face situations squarely and offer a minority opinion when necessary.

Examine all alternatives with the understanding that the easiest action is not always in the best interest of the organization.

Comply with all legal requirements concerning substance abuse.

Comply with all other laws and regulations affecting the organization and their personal obligations.

Discuss any questions concerning interpretations or compliance with the Code of Ethics with their supervisor or the CEO.

Encourage the reporting of breaches of the Code and protect those who report.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EFFICIENCY: United Way has responsibilities to its clients, donors and other stakeholders. These clients have placed faith in United Way. To uphold this trust, United Way employees:

Make full and fair disclosure or all relevant information to clients who have a right to know how their dollars are spent.

Only provide factual and accurate information in all forms of publicity.

Spend client’s money wisely, efficiently and objectively.

Are good stewards of fees, grants and other contributions that are utilized by United Way to pay operation expenses, salaries, employee benefits and refrain from allowing expenditures of United Way funds that by their nature or amount do not directly advance United Way’s mission.

United Way will make every attempt to ensure volunteers and staff broadly reflects the diversity of the community we serve.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers who serve United Way, through its Board of Directors or otherwise are crucial to the success of United Way. In order to assist volunteers to serve effectively and to obtain satisfaction from their service, United Way employees:

Support volunteers so they can perform to the highest level of their contribution and personal satisfaction.
Treat all volunteers with fairness, equity and respect, providing appropriate mechanisms for their views and interest to be expressed.
Involve volunteers at appropriate levels and phases of the decision making process.
Assist in the development and understanding of the role of volunteers and employees, respectively; set clear standards of performance for volunteers and appropriately recognize their contributions.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: To avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest which would tarnish the image of our organization and undermine the public’s trust in all United Way organizations, our employees:

Avoid any activity or outside interest which conflicts or appears to conflict with the best interest of United Way, including involvement with current or potential United Way vendor, grantee or competing organization, unless disclosed to and not deemed to be inappropriate by the employee’s supervisor.
Refrain from participating in or influencing any decision or other action of United Way that could result in a direct or indirect benefit to his or her family or any organization with which the employee is materially affiliated.

PERSONAL GAIN: No employee should accept any gratuity or favor for doing his or her job. United Way employees:

Do not solicit or accept gratuities, gifts or favors, other than promotional gifts of nominal value for themselves or their families.
Do not accept food, transportation, lodging or entertainment unless directly related to United Way business.
Do not use United Way resources for personal gain.

OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER ACTIVITIES: Employees ensure that outside employment and other activities do not interfere with their responsibilities within United Way and do not adversely affect United Way. Employees are encouraged to inform their supervisor of any significant outside activities. Employees do not use United Way resource to facilitate any outside employment or other activity.

FAVORITISM: Favoritism based on family or close personal relationships is unfair to other employees. The appearance of favoritism is easily perceived, even in some cases of friendship that otherwise are harmless. Accordingly: Persons related to United Way employees by blood or marriage are not employed except under special circumstances that are clearly in the best interest of United Way a disclosed immediately to the Board of Directors.

SOLICITATIONS: United Way employees are not subjected to outside solicitation. Further, employees are free from unwarranted interruptions in the form of solicitations from other employees, in order to concentrate on work.

United Way employees:

Do not solicit or distribute literature for purposes inconsistent with United Way mission on United Way premises.

Do not use United Way working time for Non-United Way purposes.

Are never required to contribute or respond to a solicitation for fear that their response will be a factor in their career standing.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: Confidentiality is a hallmark of professionalism. United Way employees:

Ensure that all information which is confidential or privileged or which is not publicly available is not disclosed inappropriately.
Ensure that all no-public information of other persons or firms acquired by United Way personnel in dealing with outside firms on behalf of United Way is treated as confidential and not disclosed.
Ensure that any information of a proprietary nature, trade secrets or any non-public information which would be of a competitive advantage to another organization is not disclosed.

DISCLOSURE: United Way employees and representatives are encouraged to disclose any perceived breaches of the Code of Ethics of which they are aware. Disclosure should be made to a supervisor, the CEO or the CVO. Any reported breaches will be investigated and appropriate action, if needed, will be taken. Confidentiality will be maintained for the employee disclosing the breach, unless the mater raises serious legal implications. In such instance, the employee disclosing the breach will be notified. United Way management will not take any adverse action against employees solely for disclosing perceived breached other Code. United Way encourages all employees to be prompt, open and forthright in reporting perceived breaches of the Code of Ethics.

Adopted by the Board of Directors: July 15, 2003
Recipient

Ethics Policy

United Way employees set an example for other non-profit organizations by their high standards of performance, professionalism, volunteer, charitable activities and ethical conduct.

This Code of Ethics is the policy of the United Way of Collier County and expresses fundamental values. Accordingly, this Code guides the conduct of all employees and is intended to foster an environment that promotes ethical conduct in carrying out their responsibilities.

PERSONAL INTEGRITY: A personal commitment to integrity in all circumstances benefits each individual as well as the organization. United Way employees:

Respect and seek out the truth and avoid misrepresentation.

Ensure fairness and objectivity in all activities.

Set and example, as employees of a leading nonprofit organization, for high standards of professionalism.

Honor the right of privacy of all people, including co-workers, contributors and beneficiaries.

Promote public confidence in philanthropic institutions.

Encourages employee development and communicates with personnel to help them achieve their goals, and increase their self esteem through job enrichment.

Evaluates employees on a fair and consistent basis so that all employees know what is expected of them and how they are progressing toward fulfilling expectations.

Shows respect and empathy for employees and is considerate while being mindful of managerial responsibilities.

Regularly solicits and respects the opinions of subordinates.

United Way Employees: Strive to meet performance standards at the highest level.

Refuse to engage in or tolerate and fraud, misuse, abuse or waste of United Way resources.

Encourage growth and self improvement in themselves and their co-workers.

Exhibit respect for co-workers and all those they come into contact with.

Have the courage to face situations squarely and offer a minority opinion when necessary.

Examine all alternatives with the understanding that the easiest action is not always in the best interest of the organization.

Comply with all legal requirements concerning substance abuse.

Comply with all other laws and regulations affecting the organization and their personal obligations.

Discuss any questions concerning interpretations or compliance with the Code of Ethics with their supervisor or the CEO.

Encourage the reporting of breaches of the Code and protect those who report.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EFFICIENCY: United Way has responsibilities to its clients, donors and other stakeholders. These clients have placed faith in United Way. To uphold this trust, United Way employees:

Make full and fair disclosure or all relevant information to clients who have a right to know how their dollars are spent.

Only provide factual and accurate information in all forms of publicity.

Spend client’s money wisely, efficiently and objectively.

Are good stewards of fees, grants and other contributions that are utilized by United Way to pay operation expenses, salaries, employee benefits and refrain from allowing expenditures of United Way funds that by their nature or amount do not directly advance United Way’s mission.

United Way will make every attempt to ensure volunteers and staff broadly reflects the diversity of the community we serve.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers who serve United Way, through its Board of Directors or otherwise are crucial to the success of United Way. In order to assist volunteers to serve effectively and to obtain satisfaction from their service, United Way employees:

Support volunteers so they can perform to the highest level of their contribution and personal satisfaction.

Treat all volunteers with fairness, equity and respect, providing appropriate mechanisms for their views and interest to be expressed.

Involve volunteers at appropriate levels and phases of the decision making process.

Assist in the development and understanding of the role of volunteers and employees, respectively; set clear standards of performance for volunteers and appropriately recognize their contributions.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: To avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest which would tarnish the image of our organization and undermine the public’s trust in all United Way organizations, our employees:

Refrain from participating in or influencing any decision or other action of United Way that could result in a direct or indirect benefit to his or her family or any organization with which the employee is materially affiliated.

PERSONAL GAIN: No employee should accept any gratuity or favor for doing his or her job. United Way employees:

Do not solicit or accept gratuities, gifts or favors, other than promotional gifts of nominal value for themselves or their families.

Do not accept food, transportation, lodging or entertainment unless directly related to United Way business.

Do not use United Way resources for personal gain.

SOLICITATIONS: United Way employees are not subjected to outside solicitation. Further, employees are free from unwarranted interruptions in the form of solicitations from other employees, in order to concentrate on work.

United Way employees:

Do not solicit or distribute literature for purposes inconsistent with United Way mission on United Way premises.

Do not use United Way working time for Non-United Way purposes.

Are never required to contribute or respond to a solicitation for fear that their response will be a factor in their career standing.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: Confidentiality is a hallmark of professionalism. United Way employees:

Ensure that all information which is confidential or privileged or which is not publicly available is not disclosed inappropriately.

Ensure that all no-public information of other persons or firms acquired by United Way personnel in dealing with outside firms on behalf of United Way is treated as confidential and not disclosed.

Ensure that any information of a proprietary nature, trade secrets or any non-public information which would be of a competitive advantage to another organization is not disclosed.

Adopted by the Board of Directors: July 15, 2003Recipient

Adopted by the Board of Directors: July 15, 2003
Recipient