CODE OF ETHICS 

For

Friends of Lake Griffin State Park Board of Directors

General

1. I will always hold the betterment of the membership of the organization as my priority, including during all participation in discussions and voting matters.

2. I recognize that I am obligated to act in a manner which will bear the closest public scrutiny.

3. It is my responsibility to contribute to the board of directors any suggestions of ways to improve the organization’s policies, standards, practices, or ethics.

4. I will not abuse my position as a board member by suggesting to any organization employee that I am entitled to or expect any special treatment beyond regular members of the organization.

5. I will declare any conflict of interest, be it real, potential, or apparent, which is not immediately obvious regarding any matter being discussed in my presence during a meeting.

6. If the board decides at any time during a meeting that I have a conflict, I will accept their request that I refrain from participating in the discussion and I will leave the meeting at the board’s request. I understand that the board’s decision will be recorded in the minutes, either with or without the reasons for the decision being also recorded.

7. I understand that the following activities are considered by the organization to be conflicts of interest, and that conflicts of interest are not limited to the following situations:

• where a director makes a decision or does an act motivated by other or additional considerations than “the best interests of the organization”
• where a director personally contracts with the organization or where he/she is director of other organizations which are contracting with this organization
• where a director learns of an opportunity for profit which may be valuable to him/her personally or to another organization of which he/she is a member, or to other persons known to the director
• where a director, in any circumstance as related to the organization, puts his/her personal interests ahead of the best interests of the organization

Information

8. I will not knowingly take advantage of or benefit from information that is obtained in the course of my official duties and responsibilities as a board member, and that is not generally available to membership

9. I will be alert to information which the organization can use to develop improved policies and strategies

10. I will protect the organization’s information closely and will not release or share confidential information without the permission, preferably in writing, of the person who provided it

11. I will maintain confidentiality of all information which the board deems ought to be kept confidential

Resources

12. I will be mindful of resources which are in my trust on behalf of the organization, and will help establish policies which ensure the maximization of secure and protected resources

Gifts and Hospitality

13. Should business associates or others offer me gifts, favors, or benefits on a personal basis because of the business the organization does with them, I will recognize that such offers may be an effort to secure advantage from me, and I will reject such offers on the basis that it is against the organization’s policy to accept gifts from business contacts. The most I will accept will be normal promotional handouts of a nominal value.

14. I will not routinely accept the hospitality of others. For example, when meals are taken with business colleagues, I will pay for as many meals as do my colleagues.

15. When I volunteer for an event, as a worker or a guide, I will not accept gifts or tips.

Representing the Organization

16. As part of my duties as a board member, I represent the organization informally and formally to other associations, societies, government officials, and business representatives. I recognize that it is important that I represent the organization in such a way as to leave others with a positive impression of the organization. In my duties I will preserve and enhance the good reputation of the organization and will avoid behavior which might damage its image.

Interpretation

17. The president of the organization shall ensure that the practice of this policy will be fair, just, and equitable in all situations of interpretation and application.

Enforcement

18. The president is ultimately responsible for immediate interpretation, application and enforcement of the board members’ code of ethics policy. All complaints concerning a possible code of ethics violation shall be made in writing to or by the president with a copy provided to the complainant.

19. The president shall make an initial determination of the issue and shall attempt initial resolution of the problem with the complainer and the complainant.

20. If this initial attempt at resolution is not successful, the president shall appoint a tribunal composed of three board members to investigate the complaint. The tribunal is required to investigate as required and submit a written report to the president within 30 days. The president will render his/her decision within ten days of receiving the tribunal’s report.

21. The president’s decision may be appealed in writing to the board of directors for consideration the board’s next regular meeting at the organization’s next regular scheduled meeting for a final decision. The final decision shall be delivered in writing to the complainer and complainant.

Delegation and Penalties

22. Should the president be the subject of a written complaint; the vice president shall perform the duties normally assigned to the president in this matter.

23. Penalties imposed for breach of the code of ethics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• excluding the director from portions of all future meetings and discussions which relate to the stated conflict of interest, and/or
• censure of the director, in private, in public, or both, and/or
• removal of the director from office by a resolution passed by a vote of two-thirds of the members voting at an annual or special general meeting of the not-for-profit organization’s members, provided that notice of such a proposed resolution is given with the notice calling the meeting.

Revised: March 14, 2024

Florence Hurlburt, 

President, Friends of Lake Griffin State Park

Citizens Support Organization