CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
Love Through Education International
(環球愛心教育基金會)
29 Fulham Street, Scarborough, ON M1S 2A3
Tel: 416-771-6006/416-297-8776
CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
PURPOSE
The public purpose and tax exempt status of charitable organizations includes an obligation to maintain the public trust，the. “Love Through Education International ”
(LTEI) has always taken this responsibility very seriously and strives to set an example for the field of philanthropy in all of its activities. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon volunteers of LTEI to conduct the affairs of LTEI with a commitment to the highest standards of integrity. This includes acting at all times in an honest and ethical manner, in compliance with all laws and regulations and avoiding actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest. Compliance with this Code of Conduct and Ethics will sustain a culture where honest and ethical conduct is recognized, valued and exemplified throughout LTEI.
PROVISIONS
1. Conflicts of Interest Generally
Volunteers of LTEI have a full-time responsibility to the Organization. A potential or actual conflict of interest occurs whenever a volunteer is in a position to influence a decision that may result in a personal gain for him or herself, any other volunteer or an immediate family member. (For the purposes of this policy “immediate family” means a volunteer’s spouse or domestic partner, parents, siblings, children and in-laws.) A volunteer may not engage in activities that create a conflict between the interests of ESI and those of the volunteer. In certain circumstances, the Organization may also be concerned about the appearance of a conflict of interest, even if no actual conflict has occurred.
2. Gifts and Other Payments
Except for gifts of nominal value or meals and social invitations that are in keeping with good business ethics and do not obligate the recipient, volunteers or members of their immediate families or domestic partners may not accept commissions, gifts, payments, entertainment, services, loans, or promises of future benefits from any person or entity relating to his or her LTEI assignment.
3. Relationships to Suppliers
Volunteers with responsibility for issuing or approving orders for the purchase of supplies, equipment, or transportation, or for contracts for employment or services for the Organization, may not have a significant interest in any supplier of supplies or services to the Organization. Nor may the volunteer’s immediate family have such an interest. (“Significant interest” means any financial interest that may influence the judgment of the volunteer in conducting the work of the Foundation.)
4. Service on Boards
LTEI volunteers who are invited to serve in their individual capacities as directors may accept such invitations only with the prior approval in writing of the President. Factors to be considered in evaluating such invitations include:
a) Conflict of interest issues;
b) Likelihood of time conflicts: whether the affiliation or assignment interfere with the individual’s ability to carry out his or her Organization responsibilities;
c) Whether there is a strong relationship to the Director’s job at the Organization or professional training;
d) What professional benefits are likely to flow to the individual and to the Organization; and
e) Whether there is a possibility that the other organization may misperceive the relationship as enhancing the chance of ESI funding.
5. Speaking Engagements and Articles for Publication
a) Volunteers are encouraged to maintain their professional credentials by undertaking speaking engagements and writing articles appropriate to their fields of interest. Possible speeches or articles should be discussed with the appropriate Directors.
b) In writing or speaking in an individual capacity, volunteers are expected to clearly so indicate. Whether or not it is appropriate to explicitly disclose the volunteer’s association with the Organization depends on the circumstances. If in doubt, the volunteer should consult the President or any Director of the Board...
6. Political Activities
Volunteers are free to engage in political activities when, in the volunteers’ judgment, such activities will not conflict with their ability to carry out Organization responsibilities. Volunteers should keep in mind, when making such decisions, the potential difficulty in outside perception in distinguishing between the volunteers personal and professional capacities. No political activities can be conducted with the use of any Organization resources.
7. Confidentiality - Disclosure of Information
Volunteers are expected to exercise the utmost discretion in regard to all matters of Organization business. They may not communicate any information known to them by reason of their position that has not been made public, except as may be necessary in the course of their duties or by authorization of the President. Nor shall they at any time use such information to private advantage. These obligations are not modified by participation in any activities described above and do not cease upon separation from the Organization.
8. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
A variety of laws and regulations apply to the Organization, the violation of which may carry civil or criminal penalties for the Organization and/or the individual. It is the responsibility of each volunteer to comply with all such laws and regulations. Volunteers are also required to observe the laws and regulations of countries in which they travel, including each country’s currency exchange regulations.
9. Accuracy of Financial Accounting and Reporting
The Organization takes very seriously its obligation to comply with the highest standards of financial accounting and reporting. Volunteers, in addition to complying with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, to the extent applicable to their duties must:
a) Endeavor to ensure full, fair, timely, accurate and understandable disclosure in the
Organization’s filings;
b) Record or participate in the recording of entries in the Organization’s books and records that are accurate to the best of their knowledge;
c) Comply with the Organization’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and
d) Provide information that is accurate, complete, objective, relevant, timely and understandable.
PROCEDURES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THIS CODE
1. Reporting Requirements and Procedures
A volunteer must promptly disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest to the appropriate director. When invited by an outside group for a speaking engagement or media interview which requires approval, the volunteer should write a memo to the Board requesting approval. The memo should set forth the details, including the amount of time that will be required; the benefit to the Organization, the possible cost to the Organization, and the relationship of the group to the Organization.
A volunteer must promptly disclose all gifts and other payment received and any relationships with suppliers to the appropriate Director.
2. Complaint Procedure
If a volunteer thinks he or she has, or in good faith thinks another volunteer has, violated any provision of this Code, that volunteer should immediately report the suspected violation to the President and appropriate Directors within the Organization. Reported violations of this Code will be investigated, addressed promptly and treated confidentially consistent with the need to investigate, prevent or correct the violation.
3. Retaliation is Prohibited
No one reporting an actual or suspected violation of this Code or other unlawful act in good faith will be subject to retaliation of any kind. Retaliation against an individual for reporting an actual or suspected violation of this Code in good faith or for participating in an investigation of a violation is a serious violation of this Code and may be subject to disciplinary action.
4. Law Suit is Prohibited
No director or member of any category of the organization is allowed to sue each other as individuals or as a group against the other group, committee of the organization or the Board of the organization unless it is a criminal case. Any non-criminal disputes, charges and complaints must be resolved in the General Meeting. The decision made in the General Meeting is final.
Director Consent Form
Dated: _______________
MM / DD / YYYY
To: Board of “Love Through Education International”
(Business Number :______________________)
348 Lastan Avenue
Markham, ON
L3R 4S3
From: _________________________
Name of Director
This is to confirm that I have read the Code of Ethics and the Constitution and Bylaws of the “Love through Education International”.
I am fully aware of what were stated in these documents. As a director /Volunteer of the “Love through Education Foundation”, I hereby confirm that I have agreed to abide by these two documents which have been stamped and signed by the Chairman of the Board, dated January 16, 2010. I will also abide by these documents subsequently amended unless written notice is given by me to the Board.
My Legal Name: ____________________(English) ____________________(Chinese)
SIN No: ________________________
My Address:___________________________________________________________
MY Birth-date:________________________
Dated: _____________
