Mustard Bridge Foundation, both the company and the people we represent– our employees, members, chapter leaders, partners, speakers, and attendees– must, at all times, comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
All business conduct should be well above the minimum standards required by law.
Accordingly, Mustard Bridge Foundation Community members must ensure that their actions cannot be interpreted as being, in any way, in contravention of the laws and regulations governing the Organization’s operations.
Anyone of our community members uncertain about the application or interpretation of any legal requirements should refer the matter to the leadership, who, if necessary, should seek appropriate legal advice.
Those who do not abide by this conduct may be removed from the Mustard
Bridge Foundation community and/or organization.
The Mustard Bridge Foundation code of conduct revolves around our four key values:
The Mustard Bridge Foundation code of conduct revolves around our four key values:
1. We believe in sharing opportunities
2. We believe in learning
3. We believe in selflessness
4. We believe in inclusiveness in diverse mix
General Conduct:
As part of Mustard Bridge Foundation community, we must conduct ourselves in a just and respectful manner at all times.
Anyone who is part of Mustard Bridge Foundation community must not engage in sexual harassment, or conduct themselves in a way that could be construed as such, for example, by using inappropriate language.
Conflicts of Interest:
We perform our duties conscientiously, honestly, and in accordance with the best interests of the Organization and partners. Employees, volunteers and community leaders must not use their positions or the knowledge gained as a result of their positions for private or personal advantage. Regardless of the circumstances, if anyone at Mustard Bridge Foundation community sense that a course of action they have pursued, or are presently pursuing, or are contemplating pursuing may involve them in a conflict of interest, they should immediately communicate all the facts to the leadership for discussion.
Outside Activities, Employment, and Directorships:
All members of Mustard Bridge Foundation community share a serious responsibility for the Organization’s good public relations, especially at the community level.
Everyone must, however, avoid acquiring any business interest or participating in any other activity outside the Organization that would, or would appear to create a conflict of interest – an obligation, interest, or distraction – that may interfere with the independent exercise of judgment in the Organization’s best interest.
Integrity
All staff of Mustard Bridge Foundation are expected to act and perform their duties ethically and honestly and with utmost integrity. We strive to be transparent in all of our communications. Our reputation as an organization that our community can trust is our most valuable asset, and it is up to all of us to make sure that we continually earn that trust.
Inclusiveness in diverse mix
We are committed to building inclusive environments at our company that supports people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes but not limited to members of any ethnicity, culture, race, color, origin, social and economic class, educational level, color, sex, religion, political belief and physical ability. We find strength in diversity. Different people have different perspectives on issues, and that can be valuable for solving problems or generating new ideas. Being able to understand why someone holds a viewpoint doesn’t mean that they’re wrong. Don’t forget that we all make mistakes, and blaming each other doesn’t get us anywhere. Instead focus on resolving issues and learning from mistakes.
Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying
Harassment, discrimination and bullying in any form is strictly prohibited. This includes inappropriate conduct, comment, display, action, or gesture based on
another person’s sex, color, race, religion, origin, disability, and any other protected characteristic.
Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to: epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating or hostile acts; denigrating jokes; and display or circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility towards an individual or based on a protected characteristic.
Sexual harassment is one form of harassment and is strictly prohibited. Anyone who harasses another person sexually will be immediately removed from Mustard Bridge Foundation community.
Sexual harassment can be:
Verbal: Sexual innuendos, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, or threats.
Non-verbal: Sexually suggestive objects or pictures, graphic commentaries, suggestive or insulting sounds, leering, or obscene gestures.
Physical: Unwanted physical contact, including touching, pinching, coerced sexual intercourse, or assault.
Conducive work and event environment
We commit to a conducive, welcoming and open workplace and event environment that reflect a culture free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, bias and intimidation. We enable all in our community to feel free to express their opinions, concerns, and needs with an expectation that they will be heard and respected. We treat each other and partners ethically at all times.
Organization Funds and Other Assets:
Employees who have access to Organization funds in any form must follow the prescribed procedures for recording, handling, and protecting money as detailed in the Organization’s policies and procedures or other explanatory materials, or both. The Organization imposes strict standards to prevent fraud and dishonesty. If employees become aware of any evidence of fraud and dishonesty, they should immediately advise their supervisor or seek appropriate legal guidance so that the Organization can promptly investigate further.
When an employee’s position requires spending Organization funds or incurring any reimbursable personal expenses, that individual must use good judgment on the Organization’s behalf to ensure that good value is received for every expenditure.
Organization funds and all other assets of the Organization are purposed for the Organization only and not for personal benefit. This includes the personal use of organizational assets.
Organization Records and Communications:
Accurate and reliable records of many kinds are necessary to meet the Organization’s legal and financial obligations and to manage the affairs of the Organization. The Organization’s books and records must reflect in an
accurate and timely manner all business transactions. The employees responsible for accounting and record-keeping must fully disclose and record all assets, liabilities, or both, and must exercise diligence in enforcing these requirements.
Employees must not make or engage in any false record or communication of any kind, whether internal or external, including but not limited to:
- False expense, attendance, production, financial, or similar reports and statements
- False advertising, deceptive marketing practices, or other misleading representations
Dealing With Outside People and Organizations:
Every member of Mustard Bridge Foundation community must take care to separate their personal roles from their Organization positions when communicating on matters not involving Organization business.
Employees must not use organization identification, stationery, supplies, and equipment for personal or political matters.
When communicating publicly on matters that involve Organization business, everyone must not presume to speak for the Organization on any topic, unless they are certain that the views they express are those of the Organization, and it is the Organization’s desire that such views be publicly disseminated.
When dealing with anyone outside the Organization, including public officials, everyone who is part of Mustard Bridge Foundation must take care not to compromise the integrity or damage the reputation of either the Organization, or any outside individual, business, or government body.
Prompt Communications:
In all matters relevant to members, suppliers, government authorities, the public and others in the Organization, We must make every effort to achieve complete, accurate, and timely communications – responding promptly and courteously to all proper requests for information and to all complaints.
Privacy and Confidentiality:
When handling financial and personal information about members or others with whom the Organization has dealings, we observe the following principles:
- Collect, use, and retain only the personal information necessary for the Organization’s business. Whenever possible, obtain any relevant information directly from the person concerned. Use only reputable and reliable sources to supplement this information.
- Retain information only for as long as necessary or as required by law. Protect the physical security of this information.
- Limit internal access to personal information to those with a legitimate business reason for seeking that information. Use only personal information for the purposes for which it was originally obtained. We obtain the consent of the person concerned before externally disclosing any personal information,
unless legal process or contractual obligation provides otherwise.
Gossip is not tolerated
Gossip is an activity that can drain, corrupt, distract and downshift Mustard Bridge Foundation. It has the potential to destroy the organization or an individual person.
Gossip can have such a negative impact as it has the potential to destroy a person’s life, and ruin Mustard Bridge Foundation’s credibility.
We are constructive in our feedback and will always provide it directly to the individual or company to which it pertains.
No means no
We respect “no” as an answer and decision when it is made.
Conclusion
Integrity is an ethical stance that leads an individual to adhere to his or her values. It is impossible to put out every possible ethical scenario we might face.
Instead, we rely on one another’s good judgment to uphold a high standard of integrity for ourselves and our organization. We expect everyone at Mustard Bridge Foundation– the company and our community– to represent our values and abide by this code of conduct in everything we do. Any violation of this code may result in disciplinary action, including termination, and if warranted, legal proceedings. This code is a statement of certain fundamental principles, policies and procedures that govern the way we run our business.
If you have witnessed a violation of our code of conduct please report it to Mustard Bridge Foundation leadership. If you have a question or concern, don’t just sit there, you can contact MBF leadership.
If you believe a violation of law has occurred, you can always raise that to
Mustard Bridge Foundation leadership.