Code of Conduct
VSO Code of Conduct and Ethical Behaviour for Board Directors, Volunteer Committee Members and
Task Force Members
Approved by the Board of Directors on May 26, 2021
Board Directors, Volunteer Committee Members and Task Force Members shall:
- Be ambassadors and champions of the VSO and actively support its strategy, purpose, guiding
principles, financial and non-financial objectives - Understand and uphold their Legal Duties, Fiduciary Duties and Duties of Care as described in the BC
Societies Act and Regulations - Know and comply with all VSO policies
- Disclose to the Board Chair and CEO any potential conflicts between their VSO role and their
personal and business interests or conduct - Act in good faith, in the best interests of the VSO, and conduct their personal and business affairs in
a manner that will uphold the reputation and good governance of the VSO - Avoid circumstances that may undermine public confidence and trust in the VSO
Board Directors, Volunteer Committee Members and Task Force Members shall not:
- Solicit, accept or receive any benefit for themselves or family members or relations in return for a
service or influencing a decision of the VSO, other than “de minimis” benefits in the normal course of
business - Hold any direct or indirect interests in a VSO contract unless the interest is disclosed, in which case
they shall remove themselves from the decision-making process - Use or disclose any confidential VSO information to benefit their personal interests or those of family
members of relations - Use or authorize the use of VSO goods, resources or services other than for their intended
purpose - Through their personal or business conduct cause damage to persons, property, finance, financial
reporting or the reputation of the VSO; in this context the concern is the individual’s conduct rather
than the conduct of the organization for which the individual works
Procedures:
- Board Directors, Volunteer Committee Members and Task Force Members agree that the Board is
empowered to take or delegate action in the event of real or perceived violation of this Code - This Code is to be reviewed annually by each Director at the beginning of the fiscal year and a signed
acknowledgement shall be provided to the Board Chair - For Committees and Task Forces, the Chairs of these Committees and Task Forces shall take
responsibility for circulation of this Code to all applicable members, and for communicating the
expectation that all applicable members will adhere to this Code - If a Board Director, Volunteer Committee Member or Task Force Member has any questions about
this Code it is that person’s responsibility to seek the advice of the Board Chair or the Chair of the
Governance Committee