Code of Ethics
United Way of Greater Portland is committed to the highest ethical standards. Based on the unique trust placed in United Way of Greater Portland to serve the public good, we have a special obligation to act ethically.
The success of the United Way system and our reputation depend upon the ethical conduct of everyone affiliated with the United Way of Greater Portland. Volunteers, staff, and representatives set an example for each other, and for member United Way partner agencies, by their pursuit of excellence in high standards of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
This United Way of Greater Portland Code of Ethics (Code) is based on our mission and guided by our fundamental values: community, the human care network, diversity, stakeholders, accountability, innovation, and leadership.
We are mindful that these core values must be clearly articulated, communicated and continuously reinforced. While no document can anticipate all of the challenges that may arise, the Code will assist United Way of Greater Portland volunteers, staff and representatives in making good decisions that are ethical and in accordance with applicable legal requirements. All are encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns they have with a supervisor or with the United Way of Greater Portland’s President or COO.
1. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY
A personal commitment to integrity in all circumstances benefits each individual as well as the organization. We therefore:
- Strive to meet the highest standards of performance, quality, service and achievement in working towards the United Way of Greater Portland mission.
- Communicate honestly and openly and avoid misrepresentation.
- Promote a working environment where honesty, open communication and minority opinions are valued.
- Exhibit respect and fairness toward all those with whom we come into contact.
2. ACCOUNTABILITY
United Way of Greater Portland is responsible to its stakeholders, which includes everyone who shares a common association or interest in developing a stronger community and others who have placed faith in United Way of Greater Portland. To uphold this trust we:
- Promote good stewardship of United Way resources, donations, grants and other contributions that are used to pay allocations, operating expenses, salaries, and employee benefits.
- Refrain from using organizational resources for non-United Way purposes.
- Observe and comply with all laws and regulations affecting United Way of Greater Portland.
3. SOLICITATIONS AND VOLUNTARY GIVING
The most responsive contributors are those who have the opportunity to become informed and involved. We therefore:
- Promote voluntary giving in dealing with donors and vendors.
- Refrain from any use of coercion in fundraising activities, including predicating professional advancement on response to solicitations.
4. DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
United Way of Greater Portland is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principle of diversity. We therefore:
- Value, champion, and embrace diversity in all aspects of United Way of Greater Portland activities and respect others without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or status as a qualified disabled or handicapped individual.
- Support affirmative action and equal employment opportunity programs throughout United Way of Greater Portland.
- Refuse to engage in or tolerate any other form of discrimination or harassment.
5. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
United Way of Greater Portland strives to avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest which could tarnish the reputation of United Way of Greater Portland as well as undermine the public’s trust in United Way, its Partner Agencies, staff and volunteers. We therefore:
- Avoid any activity or outside interest which conflicts or appears to conflict with the best interest of United Way of Greater Portland, including involvement with a current or potential United Way of Greater Portland vendor, grantee, or competing organization unless disclosed to and not deemed to be inappropriate by the United Way of Greater Portland COO, President or Board of Directors.
- Ensure that outside employment and other activities do not adversely affect the performance of their United Way of Greater Portland duties or the achievement of United Way of Greater Portland’s mission.
- Ensure that travel, entertainment and related expenses are incurred on a basis consistent with the mission of United Way of Greater Portland and not for personal gain or interests.
- Decline any gift, gratuity or favor in the performance of United Way of Greater Portland duties except for promotional items of nominal value, and any food, transportation, lodging or entertainment unless directly related to United Way of Greater Portland business.
- Refrain from influencing the selection of staff, consultants or vendors who are relatives or personal friends or affiliated with, employ, or employed by a person with whom they have a relationship that adversely affects the appearance of impartiality.
6. UNITED WAY OF GREATER PORTLAND VOLUNTEERS
- Should not knowingly take any action, or make any statement, intended to influence the conduct of United Way of Greater Portland 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 a significant interest as stakeholders, directors or officers.
- Disclose all known conflicts or potential conflicts of interest in any matter before the Board of Directors, if they are Board members, or any committee upon which they serve and withdraw from the meeting room during any discussion, review and voting in connection with such matter.
- Members of the Board shall annually file with the Senior Vice President & COO a disclosure of all known potential conflicts of interest.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY
Confidentiality is a hallmark of professionalism. We therefore:
- 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 United Way duties.
8. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
As a charitable corporation, United Way of Greater Portland is prohibited from making contributions to any candidate for public office or to any political committee. We therefore:
- Refrain from making any contributions to any candidate for public office or political committee on behalf of United Way of Greater Portland, including the use of United Way of Greater Portland facilities for political campaign activities.
- Refrain from making any contributions to any candidate for public office or political committee in a manner that may create the appearance that the contribution is on behalf of United Way of Greater Portland.
9. GUIDANCE AND DISCLOSURE
Volunteers, staff, and representatives are encouraged to seek guidance from the President or COO or Board of Directors concerning the interpretation or application of this Code of Ethics. Any known or possible breaches of the Code of Ethics should be disclosed. Staff and representatives should contact a supervisor or the President or COO. Volunteers should contact the Chair or Vice Chair of the Board. Reports of possible breaches will be handled in the following manner:
- All reports of possible breaches will be treated in confidence as much as the organization’s duty to investigate and the law allow. If confidentiality cannot maintained, the individual disclosing the possible breach will be notified.
- All reported breaches will be investigated and, if needed, appropriate action taken based upon the policies of the organization.
- Retaliation against a person who suspects and reports a Breach in good faith will be treated as an independent breach of the Code.
- United Way of Greater Portland affirms prompt and fair resolution of all reported breaches.