Code of Ethics, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

YUBA-SUTTER-COLUSA UNITED WAY

Code of Ethics

Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way volunteers, directors, officers and employees are committed to the highest ethical standards. Based on the unique trust placed on Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way (YSCUW) to serve the public good, all have a special obligation to act ethically.

Our success and reputation depend on ethical conduct of everyone affiliated with YSCUW.  We set an example for each other and for Partner Agencies, by our pursuit of excellence and high standards of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

This Code of Ethics (Code) is based on our mission and guided by our fundamental values, integrity, leadership, volunteerism, and commitment to serve the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa community.

Personal and Professional Integrity

A personal commitment to integrity in all circumstances benefits each individual as well as the organization.  We therefore agree to:

  • Strive to meet the highest standards of performance, quality, service and achievement in working towards the YSCUW mission.
     
  • Communicate honestly and openly and avoid misrepresentation.
     
  • Promote a working environment where honesty, open communication and opinions are valued.
     
  • Exhibit respect and fairness toward all those with whom we come into contact.

Accountability

The YSCUW is responsible to its stakeholders, which include Partner Agencies, donors and others who have placed faith in the YSCUW. To uphold this trust we therefore agree to:

  • Promote good stewardship of YSCUW resources, including fees, grants and other contributions that are used to pay operating expenses, salaries, and employee benefits.
  • Refrain from using organizational resources for non-YSCUW purposes.
     
  • Observe and comply with all regulations affecting YSCUW.

Solicitation and Voluntary Giving

The most responsible contributors are those who have the opportunity to become informed and involved.

We therefore agree to:

  • Promote voluntary giving in dealing with donors and vendors.
     
  • Refrain from any use of coercion in fundraising activities.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

YSCUW is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principle of diversity.

We therefore agree to:

  • Value and embrace diversity in all aspects of the YSCUW activities and respect others without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
     
  • Support affirmative action and equal employment opportunity programs.
     
  • Refuse to engage in or tolerate any other form of discrimination or harassment.

Conflict of Interest

In order to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest, which could tarnish the reputation of YSCUW as well as undermine the public trust in all YSCUW organizations, we therefore agree to:

  • Avoid any activity or outside interest which conflicts or appears to conflict with the best interest of YSCUW.
     
  • Ensure that outside employment and other activities do not adversely affect performance of YSCUW duties or achievement of mission.
     
  • Decline any gift, gratuity or favor in the performance of YSCUW duties except for promotional items of nominal value and any food, transportation, lodging or entertainment unless directly related to YSCUW business.
     
  • Refrain from influencing the selection of staff, consultants or vendors who are relatives that may adversely affect the appearance of impartiality.

YSCUW Volunteers therefore agree to:

  • Not knowingly take any action, or make any statement, intended to influence the conduct of YSCUW in such a way to confer any financial benefit on themselves, their immediate family members or any organization in which they or their immediate family members have significant interest as stakeholders, directors or officers. If any real or perceived conflict exists, the board or committee member will discuss the issue with the President of the Board.
     
  • If anyone has reasonable cause to believe that a member of the Board of Directors or of a committee has failed to disclose an Interest, he or she shall inform the President of the Board or the chair of such committee of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. If, after hearing the response of the member and making such further investigation as may be warranted under the circumstances, the Board of Directors or committee determines that the member has in fact failed to disclose and Interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

Confidentially and Privacy

Confidentially is a hallmark of professionalism.

We therefore agree to:
 

  • Ensure that all information, which is confidential, privileged or nonpublic, is not disclosed inappropriately.
     
  • Respect the privacy rights of all individuals in the performance of their YSCUW duties.

Political Contributions

YSCUW encourages individual participation in civic affairs. However, as a charitable organization, YSCUW may not make contributions to any candidate for public office or potential committee and may not intervene in any political campaign on behalf or in opposition to any measure, referendum or candidate for public office.

We therefore agree to:

  • Refrain from making any contributions to any candidate for public office or political committee on behalf of YSCUW.
     
  • Refrain from using any YSCUW organizational financial resources, facilities or personnel to endorse or oppose a candidate for public office.
     
  • Clearly communicate that we are not acting on behalf of the organization, if identified as a member of YSCUW, while engaging in political activities in an individual capacity.
     
  • Refrain from engaging in political activities in a manner that may create the appearance that such activity is on behalf of YSCUW.