Helping to make a better world for people with I/DD.

The Code of Ethics for the InterAgency Council of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc.

 

 

I. Personal and Professional Integrity

All staff and board members of the InterAgency Council of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc. (IAC) act with honesty, integrity, and openness in all their dealings as representatives of the organization. The organization promotes a working environment that values respect, fairness, and integrity.

 

II. Mission

The InterAgency Council has a clearly stated mission and purpose, approved by the board of directors, in pursuit of the public good. All its programs support that mission, and all who work for or on behalf of the organization understand and are loyal to that mission and purpose. The task is responsive to the constituency and communities the organization serves and of value to society.

 

III. Governance

The InterAgency Council has an active governing body responsible for setting the mission and strategic direction of the organization and oversight the finances, operations, and policies. The governing body:

 Ensures that its board members or trustees have the requisite skills and experience to carry out their duties and that all members understand and fulfill their governance duties acting for the benefit of the organization and its public purpose;

 Has a conflict of interest policy that ensures that any conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof are avoided or appropriately managed through disclosure, recusal, or other means; and

 Ensures that the Executive Director and appropriate staff provide the governing body with timely and comprehensive information so that the governing body can effectively carry out its duties;

 Ensures that the organization conducts all transactions and dealings with integrity and honesty;

 Ensures that the organization promotes working relationships with board members, staff, and program beneficiaries that are based on mutual respect, fairness, and openness;

 Ensures that the organization is fair and inclusive in its hiring and promotion policies and practices for all board and staff positions;

 Ensures that policies of the organization are in writing, clearly articulated, and officially adopted;

 Ensures that the resources of the organization are responsibly and prudently managed; and,

 Ensures that the organization can carry out its programs effectively.

 

 

IV. Legal Compliance

The InterAgency Council is knowledgeable of and complies with all laws, regulations, and applicable international conventions.

 

V. Responsible Stewardship

The InterAgency Council manages its funds responsibly and prudently. This should include the following considerations:

 It spends a reasonable percentage of its annual budget on programs in pursuance of its mission;

 It spends an adequate amount on administrative expenses to ensure effective accounting systems, internal controls, competent staff, and other expenditures critical to professional management;

 The IAC compensates staff and any others who may receive compensation reasonably and appropriately;

 The AIC does not accumulate operating funds excessively;

 The IAC ensures that all spending practices and policies are fair, reasonable, and appropriate to fulfill the mission of the organization; and,

 All financial reports are factually accurate and complete in all material respects.

 

VI. Openness and Disclosure

The InterAgency Council provides comprehensive and timely information to the public, the media, and all stakeholders and is promptly responsive to reasonable requests for information. All information about the InterAgency Council will fully and honestly reflect the policies and practices of the organization. Primary information about the organization, such as Form 990, reviews and compilations, and audited financial statements, will be posted on the organization’s website or otherwise available to the public. All financial, organizational, and program reports will be complete and accurate in all material respects.

 

VII. Program Evaluation

The InterAgency Council regularly reviews program effectiveness and has mechanisms to incorporate lessons learned into future programs. The organization is committed to improving program and organizational effectiveness and develops tools to promote learning from its activities and the field. The InterAgency Council is responsive to changes in its lot of training and is responsive to the needs of its constituencies.

 

VIII. Inclusiveness and Diversity

The InterAgency Council has a policy of promoting inclusiveness, and its staff and board reflect diversity to enrich its programmatic effectiveness. The organization takes meaningful steps to promote inclusiveness in its hiring, retention, promotion, board recruitment, and constituencies.

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