Code of Ethics

The following standards of conduct are enumerated in Chapter 112, Fla. Stat., and are required by Section 112.3251, Fla. Stat., to be observed by Foundation board members, officers, and employees.

1. Prohibition of Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts

No Foundation board member, officer, or employee shall solicit or accept anything of value to the recipient, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future employment, favor, or service, based upon any understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the Foundation board member, officer, or employee would be influenced thereby.

2. Prohibition of Accepting Compensation Given to Influence a Vote

No Foundation board member, officer, or employee shall accept any compensation, payment, or thing of value when the person knows, or, with reasonable care, should know that it was given to influence a vote or other action in which the Foundation board member, officer, or employee was expected to participate in his or her official capacity.

3. Salary and Expenses 

No Foundation board member or officer shall be prohibited from voting on a matter affecting his or her salary, expenses, or other compensation as a Foundation board member or officer, as provided by law.

4. Prohibition of Misuse of Position

A Foundation board member, officer, or employee shall not corruptly use or attempt to use one’s official position or any property or resource which may be within one’s trust, or perform official duties, to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption.

5. Prohibition of Misuse of Privileged Information

No Foundation board member, officer, or employee shall disclose or use information not available to members of the general public and gained by reason of one’s official position for one’s own personal gain or benefit or for the personal gain or benefit of any other person or business entity.

6. Post-Office/Employment Restrictions

A person who has been elected to the Foundation board or office or who is employed by a Foundation may not personally represent another person or entity for compensation before the governing body of the Foundation for a period of two years after he or she vacates that office or employment position.

7. Prohibition of Employees Holding Office

No person may be, at one time, both a Foundation employee and a Foundation board member at the same time.

8. Requirements to Abstain From Voting

A Foundation board member or officer shall not vote in official capacity upon any measure which would affect his or her special private gain or loss, or which he or she knows would affect the special gain or any principal by whom the board member or officer is retained. When abstaining, the Foundation board member or officer, prior to the vote being taken, shall make every reasonable effort to disclose the nature of his or her interest as a public record in a memorandum filed with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who shall incorporate the memorandum in the minutes. If it is not possible for the Foundation board member or officer to file a memorandum before the vote, the memorandum must be filed with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting no later than 15 days after the vote.

9. Failure to Observe Foundation Code of Ethics

Failure of a Foundation board member, officer, or employee to observe the Code of Ethics may result in the removal of that person from their position.