ANTHONY R. DE LEON·THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017
INTERNATIONAL PLASTIC MODELERS SOCIETY-BERT ANIDO
BAGUIO CHAPTER
CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
I. Introduction
This Code of Conduct and Ethics was conceptualized and implemented as a standard for all Members how to conduct themselves befitting the position of responsibility given to them by the IPMS Baguio. As such, the IPMS Baguio has hereby set forth a standard of conduct and ethics in their behaviour as members.
Members shall at all times be accountable to the IPMS Baguio and its Members. Every Member is enjoined to conduct themselves with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, loyalty, fairness and at all times extend goodwill towards fellow members. Further, all Members are hereby obligated to base their actions more importantly in upholding the IPMS Baguio’s interests over their own personal benefit.
II. Coverage Dissemination, IPMS Baguio Policies and Regulatory Compliance
This Code of Conduct shall be applicable to all Members of the IPMS Baguio.
The success of this Code of Conduct and Ethics depends on how effectively it is communicated to the entire organization giving the due conveyance of both its moral intent and its parameters. Equally important is the consistency of the enforcement by BOA and Officers at all levels among their members.
Every Member of the IPMS Baguio shall, in his or her conduct, comply with all applicable laws and regulations, both in letter and in spirit, in all areas in which he or she operates. If the ethical and professional standards set out in the applicable laws and regulations are below that of the Code, then the standards of the Code shall prevail.
As such, every Member shall be responsible for the implementation and compliance of this Code in his or her professional environment. Failure to adhere to the Code shall attract the most severe consequences, including suspension or expulsion from Membership in keeping with the standards found in the Membership Manual.
III. Ethical Conduct
Every Member of the IPMS Baguio, including the Board of Advisors, Officers, and Committee Chairs shall deal on behalf of the IPMS Baguio in the highest form of professionalism, honesty and integrity, as well as high moral and ethical standards. Such conduct shall be fair and transparent and be perceived or known to be as such by all parties.
IV. Community Interest and Involvement
The IPMS Baguio shall be committed in all its actions to benefit the development of modellers, their skills and knowledge, no matter the Genre in the City of Baguio in which it operates. It shall not engage in any activity that adversely affects such an objective. It shall not undertake any project or activity to the detriment of the IPMS Baguio and its interests, or those that will have any adverse impact on the Membership, its goodwill and camaraderie of its Members. The IPMS Baguio shall conduct its activities and affairs in accordance with the development of the Members and the whole organization and shall strive to make a positive contribution to the achievement of such goals at the local, regional, national or even international levels, as appropriate.
V. Corporate Citizenship
The IPMS Baguio is committed to be a good corporate citizen, not only in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, but also by actively assisting in the improvement of the quality of life of the people in the communities in which it operates, with the objective of making them self-reliant.
Such social responsibility would comprise of, but is not limited to the following: initiating and supporting, projects in the field of community health and family welfare, waste management, vocational training, education and literacy, and encouraging the application of modern and scientific managerial techniques and expertise. This will be reviewed periodically in consonance with the IPMS Baguio and community priorities.
The IPMS Baguio shall not treat these activities as optional but shall strive to incorporate them as an integral part of its activities, affairs and plans. The IPMS Baguio shall also encourage volunteerism among its members and help them to work in the community. The IPMS Baguio is encouraged to develop social accounting systems and to carry out social audits of their operations.
VI. Health, Safety and Environment
The IPMS Baguio shall strive to provide a safe and healthy working environment and comply, in the conduct of its activities and affairs, with all regulations regarding the preservation of the environment it operates in. The IPMS Baguio shall be committed to prevent the wasteful use of natural resources and minimize any hazardous impact of the development, production, use and disposal of any of its supplies, products and services on the ecological environment.
VII. Political Non-Alignment
The IPMS Baguio is committed to support a functioning democratic constitution and system with a transparent and fair electoral system in the Philippines.
VIII. Equal-Opportunity
The IPMS Baguio shall provide equal opportunities to all its Members and all qualified applicants for membership and their advancement, without regard to their race, religion, color, ancestry, marital status, sex, age, nationality and disability. Members of the IPMS Baguio shall be treated with dignity and in accordance with the IPMS Baguio policy of maintaining an environment free of any harassment, whether physical, verbal, psychological or sexual.
Membership policies and practices shall be administered in a manner that ensures in all matters, equal opportunity and is provided to those eligible and that decisions are based on merit.
IX. Sexual Harassment
Under Republic Act 7877, otherwise known as the “Anti-Sexual Harassment Act,” the policy declaration emphasizes the dignity of every individual, the enhancement and development of human resources, the guarantee of full respect for human rights, upholding the dignity of workers, employees, applicants for employment, students, those undergoing training, instruction or education. Thereby the State declares ALL FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE AS UNLAWFUL.
In order to maintain a pleasant, professional and productive environment, the IPMS Baguio prohibits harassment in any form. Further, the IPMS Baguio defines Sexual Harassment as having been committed when any Member in a position of authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another who is a Regular member, applicant, trainee, intern/practicumer or OJT; requests or otherwise requires/demands any sexual favor from the other. This is regardless of whether the demand, request or requirement for submission is accepted by the person (to whom the said sexual act is directed) of said act.
For the IPMS Baguio, Sexual Harassment may be committed when:
• A sexual favor is made as a condition for acceptance for Membership or granting a trainee/intern/practimuer/OJT favorable compensation(if any), terms, conditions, promotions or privileges;
• The refusal to grant a sexual favor results in limiting, segregating or classifying the member, applicant, trainee, intern/practicumer or OJT; in any way that would discriminate, deprive or diminish Membership opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the concerned Member, applicant, trainee, intern/practicumer or OJT;
• The above acts would impair the rights or privileges of the Member, applicant, trainee, intern/practicumer or OJT under existing laws;
• The above acts would result in an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the Member, applicant, trainee, intern/practicumer or OJT;
Sexual Harassment may be committed in any environment which includes but is not limited to the following:
• In or outside the IPMS Baguio area of activity, training or workshop
• In the course of IPMS activities assignments outside the City where it operates
• At other related venues or during IPMS Baguio activity-related travel.
Sexual Harassment under the law may take many forms. It may be subtle and indirect or blatant and/or overt. It may be physical, verbal or visual in nature. Sexual Harassment acts may include but not limited to the following:
1. Persistently telling smutty or dirty jokes to a co-Member who has signified that he/she finds it offensive;
2. Taunting a Member with constant talk of sex or sexual innuendos;
3. Displaying offensive pictures or publications in your area of activities;
4. Asking a fellow member intimate questions regarding his/her personal and/or sexual activities;
5. Requesting for dates or favors in exchange for a favourable Membership conditions or assignments;
6. Pinching, unnecessarily brushing up against a fellow Member’s body;
7. Making offensive hand or body gestures at a fellow Member, which may include staring or leering at a fellow Member;
8. Touching a fellow Member in sensitive parts of his/her body, threats of a sexual nature & actual assault.
Acts under items number 1-5 if communicated through voice calls, text messages, e-mail or any form of modern communication is still considered acts of sexual harassment.
Any person who directs or induces another to commit any act of Sexual Harassment as herein defined or who cooperates in the commission thereof by another without which it would not have been committed shall also be liable under this policy and may be sanctioned as per the stipulations set forth by the BOA and Officers. This does not preclude the IPMS Baguio from filing and instituting the appropriate administrative, civil, and/or criminal charges.
The IPMS Baguio shall henceforth conduct regular Gender-Sensitivity Trainings and shall convene investigations into any complaints received via the appropriate venues as necessary.
X. Gossiping / Rumor Mongering
Gossiping or rumor-mongering creates an unfriendly environment, causes poor morale among our Members and destroys goodwill. Hence, the IPMS Baguio deems it necessary to prohibit the commission of the said act.
Gossiping or rumor-mongering refers to the act of talking about the personal or private affairs of another behind his/ her back, which are otherwise irrelevant in the performance of one’s duties.
XI. Cover up / Conspiracy
A cover-up is an attempt, whether successful or not, to conceal evidence of wrong doing, error, or incompetence.
In the IPMS Baguio, this may be done when a Member who has knowledge or information of any wrong doing, error, or incompetence deliberately attempts to conceal such information.
The person who shall conceal the said information shall be considered to have acted in conspiracy with the person who has committed the wrong-doing, error, or incompetence.
XII. Skills Development and Reforms
The IPMS Baguio shall conduct value development programs for its Members in order to strengthen their commitment to their passion and Hobby and help promote the primacy of the IPMS Baguio’s interest over personal interests in the course of their Membership.
The IPMS Baguio shall ensure that every Member at every level is provided the necessary guidance, training and motivation required to upgrade their knowledge and skills in the Hobby and Genre they chose. All members that are considered minors and are below 10 years of age are required at all times to be escorted and assisted by their parents and/or guardians.
The IPMS Baguio BOA and Officers shall maintain an Open-Door policy making them available to its Members for consultations, dialogues and regular coaching and mentoring sessions.
XIII. Financial Reporting and Records
The IPMS Baguio shall prepare and maintain its accounts fairly and accurately in accordance with the accounting and financial reporting standards which represent the generally accepted guidelines, principles, standards, laws and regulations of the country in which the IPMS Baguio conducts its activities and affairs.
Any willful material misrepresentation of and/or misinformation on the financial accounts and reports shall be regarded as a violation of this code, apart from inviting appropriate civil or criminal action under the relevant laws.
XIV. Transparency of Transactions
It is the responsibility of the IPMS Baguio to establish measures and standards that will ensure transparency of and openness of transactions in their respective offices, and representing the same to their respective Members such as solicitations for sponsorship, biddings, purchases, financial transactions including contracts, projects status among other matters of IPMS Baguio interest. Only those who are authorized by the BOA and Officers may sign Contracts for and in behalf of the IPMS Baguio. Any contract signed by any IPMS official for and in behalf of the IPMS Baguio without an appropriate Resolution and explicit approval of the BOA and Officers is invalid and a misrepresentation of the IPMS Baguio. It shall be treated as a Grave violation of this Code.
XV. Public Representation of IPMS Baguio
The IPMS Baguio shall be represented only by specifically authorized Member as empowered or directed by the Board of Advisors and/or Officers. It will be the sole responsibility of these authorized representatives to disclose information regarding the IPMS Baguio if and when required by law.
XVI. Cooperation among Members
Each Member is to cooperate with other fellow Members by sharing knowledge, skills and whenever possible, resources as long as this does not adversely affect the IPMS Baguio’s image but instead enhance it.
XVII. Concurrent Membership
A Member of the IPMS Baguio shall not, without the prior and explicit approval of the BOA and Officers, accept Membership or form another group that will be detrimental to the interests of the IPMS Baguio as solely determined by the IPMS BOA and Officers.
XVIII. Gifts and Donations
The IPMS Baguio and its Members shall neither receive nor offer or make, directly or indirectly, any illegal payments, remuneration, gifts, donations or comparable benefits which are intended to or perceived to obtain business or uncompetitive favors for the conduct of its activities and affairs. However, the IPMS Baguio may accept and/or offer nominal (small or token) gifts, which are customarily given and are of a commemorative nature, for special events, charitable purposes and/or out of goodwill as defined by the IPMS BOA and Officers.
XIX. Protecting IPMS Assets
The assets of the IPMS Baguio shall not be misused but shall be employed for the purpose of conducting the activities and affairs for which they were meant and are duly authorized. These include tangible assets such as equipment and machinery, systems, facilities, materials and resources as well as intangible assets such as proprietary information, relationships with other groups and suppliers, etc.
XX. Use of the IPMS Baguio Name, Slogans and Logo
The use of the IPMS Baguio name, slogan and logo shall be governed by manuals, codes and agreements issued by IPMS Baguio BOA and Officers and shall therefore, will require prior approval.
XXI. Conduct during Competitions
The Members of the IPMS Baguio shall fully strive for the establishment and support of a competitive nature for its Members during competitions but all are required to maintain integrity, humility, goodwill with level-headedness and sportsman-like conduct. All Members shall cooperate in the IPMS Baguio’s efforts to promote the activities and other related events.
XXII. Reporting Concerns
Every Member of the IPMS Baguio shall promptly report to the BOA and Officers any actual or possible violation of this code, or an event he or she becomes aware of that could affect the image and/or reputation of the IPMS Baguio.
Failure to do so shall be construed as negligence on the part of the Member and maybe construed as a violation by itself of this Code.
XXIII. Acknowledgement of Member’s Responsibilities under the Code
As a Member of the IPMS Baguio, I hereby acknowledge the following:
1. That becoming a Member of the IPMS Baguio means that we have willingly and knowingly accepted the responsibility to protect the IPMS Baguio and its members and their interests at all times.
2. That we have a similar responsibility to protect and enhance the values of the assets belonging to the IPMS Baguio, most especially those entrusted to our care.
3. That we are required to conduct ourselves in a manner that shall bring credit to IPMS Baguio at all times.
4. That we shall continually strive to improve ourselves, our knowledge of the Hobby, our skills in modelling and continuously extend goodwill to our fellow Members.
5. That we have the capability of evaluating the moral consequences of our own choices and courses of actions based upon whether or not the outcomes of these are just.
6. That the IPMS Baguio BOA and Officers shall motivate and empower all its Members with the objective of generating more Members, enhance the image of the IPMS Baguio and foster camaraderie at all times.
8. The IPMS Baguio BOA and Officers reserves the right to revise, amend, incorporate or supplement onto this Code of Conduct as may be deemed necessary.
CONFORME:
_______________________________
(Print Name, Date & Signature)