As Ethics San Mateo is issue-agnostic, non-partisan, fair and equitable in our work, the following Code of Conduct has been adopted. All members of Ethics San Mateo (ESM) are expected to comply with this Code. Violations of this Code will be investigated. If a violation is found to have been committed, the applicable provisions of the Ethics San Mateo Corporate Bylaws will be followed.
ESM members agree that their participation in any ESM activity will comply with the requirements to be non-partisan, non-discriminatory, and unbiased. This does NOT bar any individual member from having or expressing a viewpoint, opinion, preference, etc., outside of their participation in ESM activities. If a member is exercising their right to do so, they may not infer or state that they are speaking for ESM, nor use the ESM letterhead, logo, or other branding for their personal communications. However, activity by members that brings discredit to ESM, or clearly is in opposition to our mission, is not acceptable.
1. ESM and all members pledge to reject and condemn all forms of unlawful discrimination. Any such action, speech, or writing is unacceptable.
2. Members promise that ESM internal discussions will be kept confidential within the participating membership, to avoid having inaccurate information or information about positions, decisions, etc. that have not been finalized, approved, voted upon or released. This can damage our activities and our ability to discuss issues without fear of criticism about things that have not been decided. We will, as normal procedure, provide justifications to our publicly released positions/decisions.
3. ESM and its members promise to be fair in our investigations. Fair is fair and objectivity is essential.
4. Dishonestly in any form, whether directly or by omission, is unacceptable.
5. ESM members are committed to the quest for TRUTH and reject influences caused by favoritism and alliances.