Linking the Standards to
Friendship and Service
37th National Assembly
NATIONAL ETHICS and STANDARDS COMMITTEE
Sandra Dorsey Malone, Chairman
July 3, 2010
Ethics and Standards
Area Chairs
Deidra Y.A. Edwards
Central Area Chair
Cream City (WI)
The Links, Inc
Carolyn Lewis Mosby,
Ed.D.
Eastern Area Chair
James River Valley (VA)
The Links, Inc
2
Sia Barnes, Atty
Southern Area Chair
West Palm Beach (FL)
The Links, Inc
Eva J. Purnell
Western Area Chair
Missouri City (TX)
The Links, Inc.
Ethics and Standards
Central Area Members
Lula Cosby
Springfield (Oh)
The Links, Inc.
Bonnie McLeary
Lake Shore (IL)
The Links, Inc.
3
Marsha Dimmy Sullivan
Ph.D.
Northern Indiana (IN)
The Links, Inc.
Ethics and Standards
Eastern Area Members
Rosemary Nichols
Jones
Commonwealth (VA)
The Links, Inc.
Sharon Urquhart
Richardson
Newport News (VA)
The Links, Inc.
4
Joyce Felder
Prince George’s County (MD)
The Links, Inc.
Barbara Edwards
Westchester County (NY)
The Links, Inc.
Ethics and Standards
Southern Area Members
Veola F. Hymes
Columbus (GA)
The Links, Inc.
5
Ethics and Standards
Western Area Members
Evia Briggs Moore,
Ed.D.
Stockton (CA)
The Links, Inc.
Evelyn Banks Neely
Peninsula Bay (CA)
The Links, Inc.
6
Ethics and Standards
Executive Council Members
Sandra Dorsey Malone
Dallas (TX)
The Links, Inc.
Margot James Copeland
Cleveland (OH)
The Links, Inc.
7
Jacqueline Spriggs Revis
PRP
San Antonio (TX)
The Links, Inv.
Purposeful Service
Accountability in Life’s Role
THE LINKS, INC
Linking the Standards to Friendship and Service
Ethics
- a guide to the Chain of Friendship and
Purposeful Service
ETHICS and STANDARDS
WHAT!!
A set of rules that clearly articulate our values and
the standards of conduct expected of members.
Adopted at the 35th National AssemblyPhiladelphia, PA 2006.
http://musicremedy.com/musicaudio/Seal/Change-Is-Gonna-Come-281445.asx
ETHICS and STANDARDS
WHY?
To ensure that all members internalize the values of
the organization and that the principles of conduct
guide their actions in all aspects of the organization’s
activities
Accountability to the public
Governance practices of non-profit and charitable
organization are under increasing scrutiny by state
and federal regulations
ETHICS and STANDARDS
WHO?
Ethics and Standards Committees at every
level of the Links Organization
–
–
–
Chapter
Area
National
ETHICS and STANDARDS
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Objective
 Increased knowledge and understanding of the
Code of Ethics and Standards and the rationale for
its various components
– explore all aspects of the Code of Ethics and
Standards through selected simulated activities
– preview selected documents that include the
Codes, Standards and attendant
implementation guidelines and procedures
– present questions, concerns and suggestions
Statement of Intent
Organizational Beliefs
 Excellence
 Serving
the public good
 Individual responsibility & integrity
 Preserving the worth and dignity of
the individual
 Respect for pluralism and diversity
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The Code of Ethics
As members of The Links, Incorporated, we agree to maintain the
highest ethical standards of conduct by:
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1.
Adhering to the
– Manual of Procedures,
– Constitution and Bylaws,
– Code of Ethics,
– other official documents of The
Links, Inc. and The Links
Foundation, Inc.
2.
Fostering the bonds of friendship.
The Code of Ethics
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3.
Implementing programs and activities in the
program facets that meet our organizational
mission and service requirements.
4.
Serving the public in a trustworthy manner,
dealing honestly with members of The Links,
Incorporated and the community at large.
5.
Abiding by applicable Federal, state, and local
laws and regulations.
The Code of Ethics
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6.
Adhering to international copyright and
intellectual property laws.
7.
Guarding against conflicts of interest and
avoiding the appearance of impropriety when
using organizational funds and public resources
and when giving and receiving gifts and awards.
The Standards
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Communications
Financial Operations
Intellectual Property
Equal Opportunity
Conflict of Interest
The Procedures
Complaints, Sanctions and Appeals
 Response to Complaints
 Individual Link
 Chapter
 Area Officer or Committee Chair
 Member, Executive Council or Foundation
Board
 Headquarters Staff
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The Procedures
Complaints, Sanctions and Appeals
 Sanctions
 Matched to category and severity of
violation
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The Procedures
Ethics and Standards Committees
 Structure, Membership Roles &
Responsibilities
 Chapter
 Area
 National
 Role of the Chapter President, Area
Director or National President
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The Qualifications
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Ethics and Standards Committees
 Qualifications for Committee Membership
 Active member in good standing
 Act according to highest standards
 Promote the vision of The Links Organization
 Know, understand and value the Code of
Ethics and attendant documents
 Demonstrate concern for interests and well
being of individuals affected by the action of
the committee
The Procedures
Ethics and Standards Committees
 Duties of the Committee
 Oversees the process of handling
Complaints
 Serves as Resource for Members
 Monitors Implementation of the Code of
Ethics
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The Forms
To standardize the process and provide
consistency for implementation and
monitoring, eleven (11) process forms
have been developed.
√ Every Link is expected to sign the Member
Acknowledgement Form [COE-61-1]
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The Forms
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The Forms
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Member Acknowledgment – COE 61-1
Employee Acknowledgment – COE 61-1a
Conflict of Interest- Disclosure – COE 61-2
Confidentiality Statement – COE 61-3
Complaint Form – COE 61-4
Due Process Notification– COE 61-5
Minutes of the Code of Ethics Hearing – COE 61-6
Notification of Hearing Results– COE 61-7
Ethics and Standards Transmittal – COE 61-8
Request for Appeal – COE 61-9
Decision Upheld – COE 61-10
Decision Reversed – COE 61-11
References-Resources




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Glossary and Terms
Advisory Bulletin: Governance of Charitable
Organizations
Contact Persons
 National Ethics and Standards Committee Roster
 Area Ethics and Standards Committee Roster
Inaugural Documents
 Letter- 13th National President
 Letter- 2002—2006 Commission on Ethics and
Standards
Standard One – Communications
1.
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Communications
A. Official Organizational Spokesperson
B. Maintaining Confidentiality and Privacy
C. Statements Harmful to Organization or
Members
D. Unauthorized Written and Electronic
Communication
Standard One – Communications
B.


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Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality
Do not discuss “Links” business outside of
The Links organization
Do not discuss personal and private matters
of our Link sisters
Standard One – Communications
D. Unauthorized Electronic Communications
 Avoid using “reply all” unless directed to do
so
 Be sure that your email address is not
subject to “public disclosure”
 Use a personal email account to ensure the
privacy and confidentiality of our Links
Communications
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Standard One - Communications
Scenario
Link Jones sends an email to all Links in her Chapter
from her school district email account. She states that
the she heard that the National President is considering
a new assessment, and she is not in favor of any more
assessments! She then states that the National Office is
wasting money, and she want the opinions of her Chapter
members. Link Watkins responds by hitting reply all, so
that her message is forwarded to all members. She copies
her sister who is a candidate for membership in another
Chapter. What are the ethical ramifications of this conduct?
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Standard Two – Financial Operations
A.
B.
C.
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Use of Public Funds
Recusal from Participation in Sponsored
Public Fundraising Activities involving
lotteries, auctions (live and silent), awards,
gifts and prizes
Self-Dealing and Misappropriation of Funds
Standard Five - Conflict of Interest

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Sets forth ethical standards and norms that
implement our Code of Ethics in eight
specific areas related to conflict of interest
Standard Five - Conflict of Interest
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
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Refrain from Engaging in a Conflict of Interest
Recusals and Waivers
Authorizing Recognitions and Awards
Disclosure before Receipt of Salary or Compensation from
The Links Organization
Disclosing Gifts , Compensation, or other Benefits Offered
by Parties Seeking to Conduct Business with The Links
Organization
Disclosing Beneficial Interest or Substantial Obligation to a
Supplier of Goods and Services to The Links Organization
Disclosing Salaries Paid by Grant Funds or Gifts to The
Links Organization
Standard Five - Conflict of Interest
A. Refrain from Engaging in a Conflict of
Interest
Scenario
Chapter Fundraising Event includes a Silent
Auction where chapter members participate in the
silent auction in order to encourage bidding on
the auction items. At the end of the event, a
chapter member is listed as the highest bidder for
an auction item
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Standard Five - Conflict of Interest
A. Refrain from Engaging in a Conflict of Interest
You Be The Judge
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
Chapter members refrain from participating in public
silent auction.

Chapter members may participate in chapter silent
auction with auction items not sold after public
fundraiser with the authorization of the donor and the
approval of the chapter—proceeds support chapter
programming or scholarship and reported to the donor.
Standard Five - Conflict of Interest
F. Disclosing a Beneficial Interest or
Substantial Obligation of a Supplier of Goods
and Services to The Links Organization
Scenario
Fundraising Event Chairman selects her
husband’s printing firm as the printer for all
fundraising printing needs; invitations, tickets,
programs and souvenir program book.
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Standard Five - Conflict of Interest
F. Disclosing a Beneficial Interest or Substantial
Obligation of a Supplier of Goods and Services to
The Links Organization
You Be The Judge
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
Complete Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement

Open bidding process for vendors used for fundraising
event.
The Process
From Complaint to Appeal
In a separate document –
 Eastern Area model from the 2009 Conference
Workshop is used to present the appropriate use
of the Code of Ethics Forms
 The required process-from complaint to appeal- to
be implemented by the Ethics and Standards
Committee, is demonstrated through the use of
completed samples of the appropriate forms [COE
61-4 – COE-61-9]
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The Standards Defined
Possible response and Sanctions
In a separate document  Each Standard
– Is identified
– Aligned with appropriate Code
– Aligned with appropriate Core Value
– Referenced governing document
– Sample of action [scenario]
– suggested response
– Possible sanction and rationale
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Q&A


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Questions and Concerns
Answers and References
Credits




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Essence Magazine
Washington Post
Seal
Black Eyed Peas
WE THANK YOU
Thank you for attending this session of
Linking the Standards
to Friendship and Service
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