Applying the FFRF Code of Conduct

As a non-profit organization with a great vision and purpose, FFRF’s policy is to uphold the highest legal, ethical, and moral standards. Our members, donors, sponsors, partners, staff, and volunteers support FFRF because they trust us to be good stewards of their resources, and to uphold rigorous standards of conduct. Our reputation for integrity and excellence requires the careful observance of all applicable laws and regulations, as well as a scrupulous regard for the highest standards of conduct and personal integrity.

FFRF will comply with all applicable laws and regulations and expects its members, board of Trustees, directors, coordinators, officers, and staff to conduct business in accordance with the letter and spirit of all relevant laws; to refrain from any illegal, dishonest, or unethical conduct; to act in a professional, businesslike manner; and to treat others with respect. Directors, Coordinators, managers and other officers should not use their positions to obtain unreasonable or excessive services or expertise from FFRF’s staff, members or donors.

In general, the use of good judgment based on high ethical principles will guide directors, officers, members, volunteers and staff with respect to lines of acceptable conduct. However, if a situation arises where it is difficult to determine the proper course of conduct, or where questions arise concerning the propriety of certain conduct by an individual, member, or others, the matter should be brought to the attention of FFRF. They should contact their immediate supervisor and, if necessary, the CEO, President, or any of the coordinators within your community. Board members should raise any such concerns with the CEO, President, or FFRF’s board of Trustees. In all questions involving ethics and conduct, the board will make relevant determinations, except that any individual whose conduct is at issue will not participate in such decisions.

What FFRF Will Do

This ethics policy sets an affirmative tone through the introductory phrase of “We will do the following.” We, as FFRF professionals (members, volunteers, staff, officers, and board members), dedicate ourselves to carrying out the mission of this organization. We will do the following:

Recognize that the chief function of FFRF at all times is to serve the best interests of our members, and the global communities.

• Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up-to-date on emerging issues and to conduct ourselves with professional competence, fairness, impartiality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

• Respect the structure and responsibilities of the board of Trustees, provide them with facts and advice as a basis for their making policy decisions, and uphold and implement policies adopted by the board.

• Keep the community informed about issues affecting it.

• Conduct our organizational and operational duties with positive leadership exemplified by open communication, creativity, dedication, and compassion.

• Exercise whatever discretionary authority we have under the law to carry out the mission of the organization.

• Serve with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness in carrying out the organization’s mission.

• Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, commitment and fortitude in all our activities in order to inspire confidence and trust in our activities.

• Avoid any interest or activity that is in conflict with the conduct of our official duties.

• Respect and protect privileged information to which we have access in the course of our official duties.

• Strive for personal and professional excellence and encourage the professional and personal developments of others.

Members Liabilities and Responsibilities

Members of the FFRF are encouraged to adhere strictly to certain rules, policies, guidelines and codes of conduct to keep their membership valid and in good standing. Intentionally and knowingly breaching or breaking any or all of these rules, policies and guidelines will be a cause for membership to be revoked and all benefits and access to the FFRF’s system suspended, and banned indefinitely.

The following act and breach will result in being permanently barred from being a FFRF member and handed over to the appropriate authorities. Avoid getting involved or engaging in activities that will disrupt, tarnish, interrupt, or bring shame to yourself, the FFRF entire operations, members, sponsors and partners. You will be directly responsible for certain activities, actions, and decisions you take. You are responsible and liable for:

• Behaviors that cause self-inflicted pain and lose to yourself and others in the cause of carrying out your membership obligations.

• Any fraud, forgery, or related criminal activities committed against the FFRF, fellow members, or partners. 

• Raising and receiving funds under any of our programs and initiatives without the intention of giving back to others.

• Any misrepresentation, or false claims about the FFRF or, members, affiliates, subsidiaries, sponsors, and partners when dealing and relating with members, organizations, persons or groups of persons. 

• Knowingly encroaching, trespassing, or stealing someone else property for the purpose of illegally taking possession of such properties. 

• Entering into a binding service agreement with a corporate partner, sponsors in the FFRF name without approval or failing to report or enter the details of the project or campaigns. 

• Infringing on any of FFRF trademarks or intellectual properties to misrepresent and defraud unsuspecting members, donors, partners, affiliates or potential members of the FFRF. 

• Fabricating lies, creating false, fake, or forged documents in print, online and computer systems to trick, deceive, donors, members, and partners in the process destroying and tarnishing the FFRF image or reputation, using the tools we have provided. 

• Ignoring a FFRF member who is in trouble financially, physically, spiritually, and emotionally and needs help and mentorship. 

Consequences for Violation and Breach 

Please be aware that violating and breaching any of the FFRF code of conduct, rules, regulations, and policies could lead to disciplinary action, and legal action including but not excluding litigation, civil suits, court appearances and perhaps jail sentences where strong evidence is provided. The FFRF is an international organization with subsidiaries and a membership network of professionals and partnerships with government agencies and private corporations around the world.  

By your signature or by voluntarily registering as a member of the FFRF to receive donations under any of our programs and initiatives, you agree to adhere to the entire FFRF’s code of conduct and professional ethics.  

What You Shouldn't Do

It is the intent of FFRF to strive for the highest ethical conduct from all members, board members, volunteers and staff. The leadership is particularly sensitive to individuals who hold management and governance positions of trust and confidence in fulfilling the mission and goals of the FFRF. These sensitive positions include officers, key senior members designated by the chief executive, and members of the board. In an effort to achieve the highest standards of conduct, each officer, key member, and board member is requested to acknowledge (by signing or acceptance of the FFRF terms and conditions) the following adopted Code of Ethics by November 7th each year. This acknowledgment will be kept on file in the human resource department. 

This code of conduct sets its standard by stating what the board and key staff, officers, and members WILL NOT DO: 

All officers, key active members, and members of the board of FFRF are required and expected to always exercise the highest ethical standards of conduct and practice fundamental honesty. 

In support of FFRF’s standards of high ethical conduct, each officer, key staff, member in good standing, and board member as a call of duty shall NEVER INDULGE AND WILL NOT:

• Deceive, defraud, or mislead FFRF board members, officers, registered members, donors, managers, supervisors, or other associates, or those with whom FFRF has business or other relationships.

• Misrepresent FFRF in any negotiations, dealings, contracts, or agreements. 

• Divulge or release any information of a proprietary nature relating to FFRF’s plans, mission, or operational databases without appropriate approval.

• Obtain a personal advantage or benefit due to relationships established by any officer, senior staff member, or board member by use of the organization’s name. 

• Accept individual gifts of any kind more than $100 in connection with the officer’s, key registered members, or board member’s relationship with FFRF. All such gifts are to be reported to the chief financial officer who shall divulge gifts received during the calendar year to the audit committee. 

• Withhold their best efforts to perform their duties to acceptable standards.

• Engage in unethical business practices of any type.  

• Use FFRF property, financial resources, or services of FFRF personnel for personal benefit. 

• Violate any applicable laws or ordinances. 

• Open, start or set up any foundation, organization, or business that is in direct competition, or conflict with the FFRF or its subsidiaries, affiliates, and partners from the day or after the time they became a registered member. 

• Develop, copy or use our patent and licensed software application to conduct similar operations. 

• Sexually, verbally, or physically abuse, harass, or insult another member, board member, partner, associate, colleague or persons in any form whatsoever. 

• Use the FFRF name, intellectual properties, trademarks, logos, web application content, and printing materials, without permission. 

• Reject invitations for membership meetings, gatherings, and events unless a member cannot attend due to other engagements or emergencies. 

• Disrespect or argue with fellow members, management, or partners. Everyone associated with the FFRF should be treated with equal, mutual respect, honor, love, and kindness. 

• Discriminate based on race, color, tribe, gender, religion, education, class, or status.  

• Print to sell, distribute, circulate, or reproduce, FFRF corporate items, handbooks, magazines, souvenirs, t-shirts, hats, handkerchiefs, mugs, etc. without written permission from the CEO or FFRF board members.  

• Perform the activities and obligations they are not registered under. For example, FIMs are prohibited from managing, and supervising any projects under the FFRF's programs and initiatives even if they have the certification, experience or qualification to do so.  

• Abuse the privileges, support, rewards, and benefits the FFRF gives to its active members. 

• Ignore or fail to report anyone causing a disturbance, exhibiting any destructive, offensive behaviors, and compromising anything belonging to FFRF or any of its members. 

• Open bank accounts or set up financial instruments for the specific purpose of money laundering, receiving illegal donations or campaign funds to defraud the FFRF, fellow members, and its partners. 

• Receive any payments, cash, checks or financial instruments directly from donors paid into private bank accounts or accounts not approved for collection of registration payments or projects to cover any of the FFRF programs and initiatives. All donations and fundraising campaigns must be sent into the FFRF designated and approved bank accounts. 

• Accept any bribes in any form to betray the FFRF, fellow members, board members or corporate sponsors. 

• Break or disobey any federal, state, local or municipal government laws of the land you reside in during the performance of your obligations and responsibilities as a member of the FFRF. 

• Use the FFRF, organization‘s name to enter into a binding contract without written permission. All contracts must be signed and approved by the FFRF CEO or members of the board. 

• Start a Fundraising Campaign without approval by the board members. 

• Supervise or manage a project without obtaining the proper licensing, permits, building codes, certifications, and approval from the appropriate authorities. 

• Organize rallies, shows, promotions, launches, or any events without written permission of the FFRF CEO or board members. 

• Make false claims about the FFRF or any of its programs and initiatives or against any member, partner, sponsors, staff, volunteers, or persons associated with the organization.

• Fabricate lies purposely for fundraising and illegally securing financial or any kind of monetary support. 

• Double cross, double deal, or take advantage of any member, partner, donor or person. 

• Intentionally pass or deliver any wrong, incorrect, erroneous, or inaccurate information to any member, donor, partner, or affiliate member regarding the FFRF mode of operations. 

• Diverge any confidential or private information that could cause a negative impact or destruction to the FFRF global affairs and reputation. 

• Duplicate the operational model of the FFRF and try to use it to cause disunity and division amongst members, board members, donors, or the FFPF corporate sponsors. 

• Initiate programs and fundraising campaigns that are not approved by the CEO, President or board of trustee members and breaches the code of ethics. 

• Conspire with another member, person, or groups of persons to work against the FFRF policies and overall vision. 

Infractions of this Statement of Personal and Professional Standards of Conduct are to be reported directly to any member of the Board of Trustees, appointed heads of committee who shall, in their determination, bring the infraction to the full executive committee or board members.

Consequences for Violation and Breach 

Please be aware that violating and breaching any of the FFRF code of conduct, rules, regulations, and policies could lead to disciplinary action, and legal action including but not excluding litigation, civil suits, court appearances and perhaps jail sentences where strong evidence is provided. The FFRF is an international organization with subsidiaries and a membership network of professionals and partnerships with government agencies and private corporations around the world.

By your signature or by voluntarily registering as a member of the FFRF to receive donations under any of our programs and initiatives, you agree to adhere to the entire FFRF’s code of conduct and professional ethics.