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Code of Ethics

I. Statement of Purpose

The Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (the “Organization”) has many important assets, but the most valuable is the Organization’s established and unquestioned reputation for integrity. Sustaining this reputation is critical to the Organization’s success. Consistent and faithful adherence to this Code of Ethics will help ensure that the Organization always retain its integrity and merits the public's trust and confidence.

All of the Organization’s officers, directors, employees and volunteers are responsible for becoming familiar with, following and promoting compliance with this Code. The Code is a general outline of the standards by which all of the Organization’s directors, officers, employees and volunteers should conduct themselves. The Code is not intended to and does not in any way constitute an employment contract or assurance of continued employment, and does not create any rights in any director, officer, employee, volunteer or any other person or entity. The Organization reserves the right to update, modify, interpret and eliminate any of the provisions set forth in this Code, at any time.

In most situations, personal values and integrity will guide the right decision. However, the Organization’s officers, directors, employees and volunteers should always keep in mind how their actions affect the credibility of the Organization as a whole, and for this reason, the Organization’s business ethics reflect the values and standards of conduct outlined in this Code.

II. Personal and Professional Integrity

All directors, officers, employees and volunteers of the Organization shall act with honesty, integrity and openness in all their dealings as representatives of the Organization. The Organization promotes a working environment that values respect, fairness and integrity.

III. Mission

The Organization has a clearly stated mission and purpose, approved by its Board of Directors, in pursuit of the public good. All of its programs shall support that mission and all who work for or on behalf of the Organization shall understand and be loyal to that mission and purpose. The mission shall be responsive to the constituency and communities served by the Organization and of value to the society at large.

IV. Governance

The Organization shall have an active Board of Directors that is responsible for setting the mission and strategic direction of the Organization and oversight of the finances, operations, and policies of the Organization. The Board shall:

Ensure that the members of the Board of Directors (the “members”) have the requisite skills and experience to carry out their duties and that all members understand and fulfill their governance duties acting for the benefit of the Organization and its public purpose;
Ensure that its members hold all confidential matters and information of the Organization in confidence;
Have a conflict-of-interest policy that ensures that any conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof are avoided or appropriately managed through disclosure, recusal or other means; and
Be responsible for the hiring, firing, and regular review of the performance of the President and other officers, and ensure that the compensation of the President and other officers is reasonable and appropriate;
Ensure that the President, other officers and employees provide the Board with timely and comprehensive information so that the Board can effectively carry out its duties;
Ensure that the Organization conducts all transactions and dealings with integrity and honesty;
Ensure that the Organization promotes working relationships with Board members, officers, employees, volunteers, and program beneficiaries that are based on mutual respect, fairness and openness;
Ensure that the Organization is fair and inclusive in its hiring and promotion policies and practices for all Board, staff and volunteer positions;
Ensure that policies of the Organization are in writing, clearly articulated and officially adopted;
Ensure that the resources of the Organization are responsibly and prudently managed; and
Ensure that the Organization has the capacity to carry out its programs effectively.

V. Legal Compliance

Directors, officers, employees and volunteers shall conduct themselves at the Organization and all of its functions or when acting on its behalf in a manner which is in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, as well as with all of the Organization’s other policies and procedures. Activity or behavior which would be criminally or civilly actionable is deemed not to be in compliance.

VI. Responsible Stewardship

The Organization shall manage its funds responsibly and prudently, by:

Spending a reasonable percentage of its annual budget on programs in pursuance of its mission;
Spending an adequate amount on administrative expenses to ensure effective accounting systems, internal controls, competent staff, and other expenditures critical to professional management;
Compensating staff, and any others who may receive compensation, reasonably and appropriately;
Not accumulating operating funds excessively;
Prudently drawing from reserve funds to support the public purpose of the Organization;
Ensuring that all spending practices and policies are fair, reasonable and appropriate to fulfill the mission of the Organization; and,
Ensuring that all financial reports are factually accurate and complete in all material respects.

VII. Openness and Disclosure

The Organization shall provide comprehensive and timely information to the public, the media, and all stakeholders and be responsive in a timely manner to reasonable requests for information. All information about the Organization will fully and honestly reflect the policies and practices of the Organization. Basic informational data about the Organization, such as the Form 990 and audited financial statements, will be posted on the Organization’s website or otherwise be available to the public. All financial, Organizational, and program reports shall be complete and accurate in all material respects.

VIII. Program Evaluation

The Organization shall regularly review program effectiveness from year to year based upon set criteria. The Organization shall have mechanisms to incorporate lessons learned into future programs. The Organization shall be committed to improving program and organizational effectiveness and develop mechanisms to promote learning from its activities and the field. The Organization shall be responsive to changes in its field of activity and be responsive to the needs of its constituencies.

IX. Inclusiveness and Diversity

The Organization shall have a policy of promoting inclusiveness and its directors, officers, employees and volunteers shall reflect diversity in order to enrich its programmatic effectiveness. The Organization shall take meaningful steps to promote equal employment opportunities and inclusiveness in its hiring, retention, promotion, board recruitment and constituencies served.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I hereby acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to conduct myself in accordance with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative’s Code of Ethics.

I further agree that it is my responsibility to promote compliance with the policies and guidelines set forth in the Code of Ethics and to report violations of the same.

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Date: September 13, 2024

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August 30, 2024 1:51 pm EDT

Code of Ethics Uploaded by Chris Lipscombe - clipscom@cycyouth.org IP 208.102.103.31

August 30, 2024 1:58 pm EDT

Patti Shepard - pshepard@cycyouth.org added by Chris Lipscombe - clipscom@cycyouth.org as a CC'd Recipient Ip: 208.102.103.31

August 30, 2024 1:59 pm EDT

Patti Shepard - pshepard@cycyouth.org added by Chris Lipscombe - clipscom@cycyouth.org as a CC'd Recipient Ip: 208.102.103.31