|
|
|
|
|
BUGLES ACROSS AMERICA NFP CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT AHD ETHICS
The Code of Conduct and Ethics (the "Code") is based on the following general principles:
|
Compliance with the Law - BAA and its volunteers will abide by the letter of applicable Laws and regulations and will act in such a manner that the full disclosure of facts related to activities will reflect favorably upon the Association.
Adherence to High Ethical Standards - BAA and its volunteers will adhere to high ethical standards of conduct in our activities and will act in a manner that enhances BAA's standing as an ethical partner in honoring our nation's veterans.
The Code is reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing, and to promote;
Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest including disclosure to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to such a conflict.
Disclosure Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that BAA files with or submits to governmental agencies, and in other public communications made by BAA:
Reporting The prompt internal reporting of Violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code.
|
Accountability for Adherence to The Code.
|
The specific issues discussed in this Code do not address every situation where a law or Association policy may apply. However, they should help you better understand the general principles stated above and provide guidance in recognizing and properly resolving the ethical and legal issues you encounter in conducting the Association's Activities.
Anyone who violates the Code will be acting outside the scope of his or her status as a volunteer and will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
|
Volunteer Relations Association and Volunteers
|
This code will try to clarify BAA's position in relation to the volunteers that have signed up to serve.
The expectations of volunteerism are not much. If a volunteer gets to do even one service in a year, the volunteer has fulfilled the expectations of BAA, Many have the opportunity to do much more and even surpass. the most optimistic outlook of the mission statement. Many others do not have the opportunity to serve day in and day out. Work, school, personal commitments and other situations might prevent a volunteer from fulfilling a weeklong dedication to the mission statement of BAA. In either case, a volunteer must weigh their priorities against the commitment.
A volunteer must also do their part in informing the related partners of their commitment to assist in honoring our veterans. Communication goes both directions. Public relation advice is available on our website and can be obtained from your State Director, Regional Director, Assistant Director or even the Executive Director of BAA.
Unfortunately, a volunteer may get overwhelmed with personal and professional commitments. Terminating a volunteers relationship with BAA will sometimes be awkward and perhaps difficult to fill. Hopefully, there will always be another volunteer to fill the vacancy.
BAA is committed to which all of the volunteers are treated with respect and dignity. Each volunteer is entitled to be in an organization free from intimidation, hostility or other offenses that might affect their membership. Harassment is the creation of a hostile or Intimidating environment in which conduct, verbal, visual or physical, because of its severity and/or persistence, is likely to interfere significantly with a volunteer's work.
|
The following are strictly prohibited
and will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination:
|
Engaging in Harassment
Failure to Report Failure, on the part of any member who believes harassment of any kind may be occurring, to report the conduct to the Association.
Retaliation Taking retaliatory action against someone for having reported or threatened to report harassment, or for providing information in the course of an investigation of harassment.
Breach of Confidentiality Failure to maintain confidentiality regarding any investigation of harassment, whether involved as a victim, witness or alleged harasser.
False Claims Fabricating or reporting false claims of harassment.
|
Conflicts of Interest
|
A conflict of interest exists when there is an actual or apparent conflict between an individual's obligation to BAA and personal self-interest. Volunteers should act with honesty and integrity, avoiding any relationship with other businesses, governmental agencies and persons that could impair or unduly influence their ability to discharge their duties properly. The appearance of a conflict often can be as damaging as an actual conflict. A good general rule is to avoid any action or association that would be embarrassing for you or BAA if it were disclosed to the public
In addition to the provisions of this Code and other BAA policies, volunteers working with the U.S. Government state or local governmental agencies that would have a direct or indirect influence of the activities of BAA have an additional obligation to know, understand and abide by the laws, regulations and ethical standards of those agencies that may be more strict than those that apply to non-governmental partners. These laws generally prohibit or put strict limits on related activities outside the structure of their employee/employer relationship.
Members of the military are considered employees of the U.S Government (i.e. The Department of Defense). Since the Department of Defense and the military issue guidelines and policy pertaining to Military Funeral Honors, BAA members that are in the military (active or reserve) would be in a position to dictate policy over the bylaws and constitution of a non-profit organization and are prohibited from any position of corporate authority other than a fieldposition (Regional. State or Area Director).
|
Misrepresentation
|
Accepting a mission request coming through the BAA bugler request system and conveying that the bugler is not a member of BAA although the said person is in fact a member of BAA.
Being a member of another organization is met with approval, but recognition that the member is also playing under BAA while answering a request through the BAA website is required. There can be no confusion of what organization the member represents.
Identification of the member as a listed member of BAA might be required.
|
Charging a Fee
|
We are a 501 (c}3 non-profit corporation and are not allowed to charge a fee. Volunteers are allowed to receive gifts, honorariums, amounts of giving and other tangible gifts (uniforms, flags, horns, etc.). Cash gifts are acceptable as long as they as the amount is classified as an "honorariums" or "giving'', not as a "fee".
Buglers of BAA can receive payment from the Government if the respective state has an existing plan to pay buglers or the Military Casualty officer in an APS payment program installed.
Buglers who have programs worked out with their own area funeral directors can receive compensation from the respective funeral director. The original Department of Defense Directive pertaining to Military Funeral Honors enacted in 2000 does allow payment to buglers. We understand that a budget has been set aside for this purpose although this is not utilized In all states.
Honoring America's Veterans
Military Funeral Honors
Bugles Across America NFP
c/o Tom Day, Founder
1824 S. Cuyler Ave.
Berwyn, Illinois
60402-2052
Tom J. Day
Founder/ President
Email: TomJDay@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 708-484-9029
Fax: 708-484-9896
Illinois Attorney General #
CO#0101047245
Federal FEIN 81-0550869
501[c] 3 filed by the CPA
firm P. Horner, Alaska.
Gene Horner is our player
and State director there. Our
State number is 6217-567-2
|
|
|
|
|
