Code of Conduct

 

CORE ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

Values: Recognize and support the strength in every girl. Respect the dignity of each human being and demonstrate genuine care and concern for the well-being of others. Understand and appreciate diversity, embrace inclusiveness, and advance equity. Drive for results anchored in integrity and accountability. Collaborate for impact. 

Vision: Powerful girls in an equitable society.

Mission: To inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

WORKING STRONG, SMART AND BOLD AT GIRLS INC. OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA

Mindful of our respect for one another, our regard for the reputation of Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, our pride in our personal and professional standing, and our obligation to girls nationwide, it is expected that all our staff will:

  • Conduct personal and professional relationships with awareness that, by agreeing to participate in the fulfillment of the organization’s mission, we assume responsibility for the honor of the Girls Inc. community both internally and in the external world.
  • Recognize that within the organization each person takes part in a social contract that assumes the fair, responsive, straightforward, and courteous communication and behavior that persons of good will and mutual trust may expect from one another.

We will demonstrate the above as we encourage the next generation of young women to become responsible citizens who will create positive change in their own communities and work environments.

OUR WORKPLACE

At Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, we actively honor and value differences in culture, lifestyles, heritage, and knowledge. Our commitment to appreciating differences is essential in achieving our vision and mission. We build an organizational community that is reflective of the girls and families that we serve, and deliver the comprehensive Girls Inc. Experience in ways that demonstrate our genuine appreciation for the dynamic people and cultures that surround us. This approach leads to the powerful outcomes that ensure a brighter future for girls.

PUBLIC INFORMATION/COMMUNICATIONS

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara strives to inform and educate the general public regarding the strengths and needs of girls and young women.  We adopt policy statements that express our values and convictions on issues that are considered critical to the health and well-being of all girls.  These policies, along with the Girls Inc. Girls’ Bill of Rights form the foundation for our programs, advocacy, communication, and public education activities.

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara will provide information that reflects and fosters these values, and gives the public truthful, clear, and full disclosure of the organization’s programs, activities, finances, operating standards, and practices.

We will ensure that all confidential, privileged or nonpublic information is not disclosed inappropriately and will respect the privacy rights of all individuals.

PHILANTHROPY AND DONOR RIGHTS

To ensure that donors and prospective donors have full confidence in Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara to use donations effectively and for their intended purposes, we will:

  • Provide access to the organization’s financial statements;
  • Assure that all contributions are used for the purposes for which they are given;
  • Provide appropriate acknowledgement and recognition;
  • Assure all donations are handled with respect and confidentiality afforded by law, and upon request delete names from mailing lists;
  • Respond promptly and accurately to donor questions.

Our staff will practice fundraising with integrity, honesty, and adherence to the absolute obligation to safeguard the public trust.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara is responsible to its stakeholders, including our Board, donors, community partners, and others who have placed faith in our mission, and who support our work on behalf of girls and young women.  To uphold this trust we will:

  • Promote good stewardship of our resources;
  • Refrain from using organizational resources for non-Girls Inc. purposes;
  • Observe and comply with all laws and regulations affecting our staff, officers and board members;
  • Insure open and transparent reporting and fiscal accountability.

We will disclose fully the state of our organization, recognizing that power comes from a healthy evaluation of both our strengths and weaknesses, and uphold the highest standards of accountability.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

At Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara we will avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest.

We will avoid any activity with vendors, grantees, or others that would compromise decisions or the ability to effectively carry out the duties for which we are responsible or that would conflict with the best interest of Girls Inc.

All gifts, favors, fees or honoraria will be declared except for promotional items or items of nominal value.

We will avoid influencing the selection of staff, consultants and vendors solely on the basis of a personal relationship or nepotism (the favoring of relatives).

COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Any questions regarding this code, its interpretation or application should be directed to the Executive Director, or the Director of Finance and Operations (Compliance Officers). If a staff member knows of a violation of the code, they should immediately report it to their department head, or directly to one of the Compliance Officers. Any department head receiving such a report must immediately advise a Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer will promptly investigate all alleged code violations.

Staff may also confidentially contact directly the Chair of the Finance Committee of the Board to report accounting or other financial concerns. A Board roster, listing Board committee chairpersons and their contact information, will be maintained in the administrative files.

Staff will not suffer retaliation in any form for reporting their concerns as described in the code.